According to Printweek, folding carton converters are being urged to prepare for GS1 Sunrise 2027, a global initiative that will require the use of 2D barcodes on retail products. The transition aims to replace traditional 1D barcodes with more data-rich QR codes, enabling greater traceability and consumer engagement. Industry experts emphasize that converters must upgrade printing and scanning capabilities well before the 2027 deadline.
GS1 Sunrise 2027 represents a significant shift in retail standards, pushing for adoption of the GS1 Digital Link standard that encodes product identifiers in 2D barcodes. This change is expected to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, and provide consumers with detailed product information via smartphone scanning. For folding carton converters, the move means investing in new printing technologies and quality control processes to ensure barcode readability.
The call to action comes as retailers and brands increasingly adopt 2D barcodes for inventory management and anti-counterfeiting. Converters lagging in preparation risk losing contracts or facing costly retrofits. Printweek urges converters to collaborate with GS1 and technology providers to pilot new systems and ensure a smooth transition ahead of the global rollout.