GS1, a global standards body, will replace barcodes with advanced QR codes by 2027, enhancing transparency and traceability. These next-gen codes, tested in Australia, provide product details like origins and sustainability. Collaborating with brands like Walmart, GS1 aims to boost safety, reduce waste, and fight counterfeits across retail and healthcare.
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GS1 will launch next-gen QR codes globally from 2027, aiming for transparency and digital transformation.
GS1 is a global, not-for-profit organization that creates standards for barcodes.
Barcodes help identify products, making it easier to track, sell, and manage them.
GS1 introduced the first barcode in 1974, and today, over 10 billion barcodes are scanned daily worldwide.
They work in 118 countries, supporting over 2 million businesses across retail, healthcare, agriculture, and logistics.
GS1 plans to replace traditional barcodes with advanced QR codes, called "next-generation barcodes," starting from 2027, it will store more information than old barcodes, like product origins, expiry dates, and manufacturing details.
The shift to QR codes, called “Sunrise 2027” by GS1 US, involves collaboration with global brands like PepsiCo, Walmart, and Nestlé.
They aim to make supply chains transparent, traceable, and consumer-friendly. Right now, GS1 is testing these QR codes in three countries, including Australia. In India, the rollout depends on how ready manufacturers and retailers are to adopt this technology.
Transparency => Consumers can scan these QR codes with smartphones to access detailed product information, like ingredients, allergens, or sustainability details.
Traceability => Businesses can track products from production to sale, ensuring safety and reducing waste. For example, in Australia, pilot projects with retailer Woolworths reduced food waste by 40% and boosted efficiency by 21%.
Consumer and Patient Safety => In healthcare, these QR codes help hospitals to verify medicines, reducing errors. A UK study showed GS1 barcodes cut medical errors by 76%. They also fight counterfeit drugs, a major issue since 1 in 10 medicines globally may be fake.
Sustainability => The codes provide data on recycling or sustainable sourcing, helping consumers make eco-friendly choices.
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