For over 50 years, manufacturers have relied on traditional 1D barcodes such as EAN and UPC codes to identify products throughout the supply chain. However, the industry is now moving towards a new generation of 2D barcodes as part of the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative. By the end of 2027, retailers and supply chain partners are expected to be able to scan and process 2D barcodes alongside existing 1D codes.
For manufacturers, this isn't simply a packaging change. It affects barcode printing, scanner infrastructure, production software, quality control processes, and data management across the factory.
In this guide, we'll explain what GS1 Sunrise 2027 means for manufacturers and the practical steps you can take today to prepare your factory for compliance.
GS1 Sunrise 2027 is a global industry initiative encouraging retailers, manufacturers, and supply chain partners to adopt 2D barcodes such as GS1 DataMatrix and GS1 Digital Link QR Codes. These codes can store significantly more information than traditional linear barcodes, including:
The key milestone is that by the end of 2027, point-of-sale systems should be capable of reading 2D barcodes in addition to existing 1D barcodes. Importantly, traditional EAN and UPC barcodes are not being retired immediately, meaning many manufacturers will need to support both formats during the transition period.
Many factories assume Sunrise 2027 is primarily a retailer issue.
In reality, manufacturers are responsible for generating, printing, verifying, and managing the barcode data that retailers will scan.
Factories that delay preparation may face:
Forward-thinking manufacturers are already assessing their production infrastructure to identify potential gaps before customer mandates begin arriving.
The first place to start is your barcode printing capability.
Ask yourself:
While many modern thermal transfer and industrial label printers can already print 2D codes, older systems may require firmware upgrades, software updates, or replacement.
This is often one of the quickest readiness checks a factory can perform.
Many factories still use laser scanners that were designed specifically for linear barcodes.
Unfortunately, laser scanners cannot read most 2D codes.
Conduct a site-wide audit covering:
You may discover that some departments are already using image-based scanners while others still rely on legacy hardware.
Upgrading scanners early helps avoid future disruption and allows operators to become familiar with 2D barcode workflows.
GS1 Sunrise 2027 isn't only about printing different symbols.
Your systems must also manage the additional data carried inside those symbols.
Review whether your:
can generate and process information such as:
The ability to encode and validate this information correctly will become increasingly important as adoption grows.
For most manufacturers, the immediate future isn't about replacing existing barcodes.
It's about running both formats simultaneously.
Many products will require:
on the same packaging during the transition period. GS1 describes this as "dual marking" and it is expected to be a common approach as retailers upgrade their infrastructure.
Factories should begin reviewing packaging layouts now to identify where additional barcode space may be required.
A barcode that prints correctly isn't necessarily a barcode that scans correctly.
As 2D codes become more data-rich, verification becomes increasingly important.
Manufacturers should consider:
Implementing verification processes now can prevent costly supply chain issues later.
GS1 Sunrise 2027 will affect your entire supply chain.
Speak with:
Questions to ask include:
Early communication helps avoid last-minute surprises.
Before 2027, manufacturers should aim to complete the following:
✓ Review barcode printing capabilities
✓ Audit scanner hardware
✓ Upgrade barcode design software where required
✓ Assess ERP, MES and WMS readiness
✓ Plan packaging changes for dual marking
✓ Introduce barcode verification procedures
✓ Engage supply chain partners
✓ Develop a phased implementation roadmap
GS1 Sunrise 2027 is focused on retail scanning capability, but manufacturers still play a critical role in ensuring products can be identified, tracked, and verified using next-generation 2D barcodes.
The factories that begin assessing printers, scanners, software, and production processes today will be far better positioned to meet customer requirements, improve traceability, and take advantage of the benefits that 2D barcode technology can offer.
Need help assessing whether your printers and scanners are GS1 Sunrise 2027 ready? Contact us today and we’d be more than happy to review your setup.
A complete solution for all industrial coding and marking equipment.
Industrial Printer Services Copyright 2026 | Created by GEL Studios