The Journey to 2D Barcodes: The Next Dimension

Welcome to the OB Blog — your guide to upcoming GS1 industry changes and what they mean for your business.

For more than 50 years, the black-and-white stripes of the UPC barcode have been the universal language of retail. Every product, every checkout scanner, every supply chain relied on those lines to carry a single 12-digit number (the GTIN). But that’s about to change.

By the end of 2027, the retail world will begin replacing UPCs with 2D QR Codes. This global shift—driven by the GS1 Digital Link 2027 Sunrise Date—will change how products are labeled, scanned, and connected across the supply chain.

So, what are 2D barcodes, and why is this transition happening? Let’s explore the evolution from 1D to 2D barcodes and what it means for businesses and consumers alike.

For consumers, this means:

• Easy access to nutrition details, allergen alerts, and product instructions
• Warranty, safety, and recall information available instantly
• Transparency into sourcing, sustainability, and brand values
• Direct connections to digital content like promotions, recipes, or loyalty programs
• Greater confidence through product authentication and brand protection

For businesses and manufacturers, this means:

• Stronger traceability from production to checkout
• Faster, more efficient recalls
• Smarter packaging with dynamic, updatable product data
• Greater supply chain visibility and accuracy

The OB Blog will document key GS1 industry changes as they unfold—explaining what they mean and how they will impact the companies and customers who rely on GS1 barcode standards. Our goal is to track this transition and share clear, practical insights that businesses can use to prepare.

As a GS1 US Channel Partner, OB maintains a team of AutoID professionals trained and certified by GS1 US. Through this blog, our team will share their expertise and highlight real-world applications of GS1 standards—covering UPC vs QR Codes, GS1 Digital Link, Sunrise 2027, and RFID technology—with upcoming topics such as:

• Difference between UPC (single-purpose) and QR Codes (multi-purpose)
• What is GS1 Digital Link?
• What is the GS1 Digital Link 2027 Sunrise Date?
• How companies can prepare for GS1 Digital Link

There’s nothing you need to change today — the most important step right now is simply understanding what’s coming. OB will continue to be a clear, reliable resource as the industry moves toward 2D barcodes and GS1 Digital Link.

Follow along as we explore the next dimension of barcoding and help prepare your business for the future. Or reach out to us any time with questions or to place a new order!