If you thought UPC/EAN barcodes were “good enough,” think again. By 2027, everything changes. GS1’s Sunrise 2027 initiative is pushing the global point-of‐sale (POS) and point-of-care (POC) world toward accepting 2D barcodes—capable of carrying much more than just product IDs.
What Is Sunrise 2027?
The standard 1D barcode (UPC/EAN) has served us well for decades—but it’s reaching the limits of what it can do. It typically holds just the product identification needed for pricing and inventory.
But stakeholders—brands, regulators, consumers—want more: transparency, traceability, recall data, ingredient and sourcing information, safety alerts, etc.
Sunrise 2027 is the agreed global move to require POS (and POC) systems to accept 2D barcodes (QR codes, GS1 DataMatrix, or equivalent) in addition to existing 1D codes, by the end of 2027.
Why the Change Matters
Switching to 2D barcodes is more than just “new tech”—it unlocks capabilities that address real problems:
| Capability | How 1D Barcodes Fall Short | How 2D Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Recall & batch-alerts | UPC/EAN doesn’t carry lot or batch info. Checking is manual, slow. | 2D barcodes can embed batch or lot, enabling faster, more accurate recall actions. |
| Transparency & consumer trust | Label text is limited; consumers often lack easy access to things like allergens, origin, ingredients. | With a phone or scanner, consumers can access richer information via 2D + GS1 Digital Link. |
| Sustainability & sourcing | Tracking origin, ethical sourcing, materials often disconnected from barcode data. | 2D codes can link to more data—sustainability credentials, material inputs, etc. |
| Inventory & supply chain efficiency | Manual or semi-automated processes; high potential for error. | More data embedded means better traceability, faster scanning, fewer errors. |
What You (Brands / Retailers / Solution Providers) Should Do Now
Getting ready for Sunrise 2027 isn’t optional; it’s going to be necessary. Here are some action items:
Evaluate your POS/POC systems
Do your scanners, registers, checkout systems already support 2D barcode scanning? If not, plan upgrades.
Test 2D barcodes now
Use test kits that GS1 provides to assess current capabilities. Validate that the codes work in real environments (lighting, speed, packaging).
Standardize your encoding
Decide which 2D symbology to use (DataMatrix, QR, etc.), and make sure your encoding practices align with GS1 Digital Link standards so that extra data (batch, recalls, etc.) can be included consistently.
Plan for the consumer interaction
It’s not just about embedding data—it’s about how consumers will access it. Web‐links, apps, in-store signage, scanning guidance—all are part of it. And the richer the content (sourcing, safety, ingredients), the more consumers trust the product.
GS1 US
Communicate and train internally
Engaging your supply chain, packaging teams, compliance, retail operations so everyone understands the upcoming change. Change management is critical.
What Consumers Will See
From a user’s point of view, here’s what Sunrise 2027 will bring:
The ability to scan products with their smartphone (or other device) to view up-to-date info: allergens, recalls, safety warnings, origin.
Possibly being prevented at checkout from purchasing something that’s been recalled or has safety issues (if systems are set up that way).
More trust in labels and packaging—less guessing, more transparency.
Why This Matters for Dolphin Data Capture’s Clients
At Dolphin Data Capture, we work in barcode and automatic identification technologies every day. Sunrise 2027 means transitions in:
Hardware (scanners, POS devices)
Software (data management, traceability, encoding, linking)
Standards compliance and labeling
By preparing now, our partners can avoid last-minute scramble, reduce risk in recalls, build stronger brand trust, and deliver richer product experiences.
The Bottom Line
The one-dimensional UPC/EAN barcode has been a workhorse, but markets, regulators, and consumers are demanding more. With Sunrise 2027, the shift toward 2D barcodes—paired with GS1 Digital Link—is set to elevate what a barcode can do: not just price and track, but to inform, protect, engage, and verify.
If your systems, packaging, and processes aren’t yet ready, Dolphin Data Capture can help guide you through the transition. Let’s work together to ensure you’re compliant, efficient, and turning barcode updates into business opportunities.