The barcode industry is evolving beyond the traditional UPC. Learn what GS1 Sunrise 2027 means for your business and how to prepare your labeling, printing, and scanning systems for the next generation of 2D barcodes.
For more than 50 years, the UPC barcode has been the universal language of commerce. Every day, billions of products are identified, tracked, and sold using the familiar one-dimensional (1D) barcode.
Now, the industry is preparing for one of the biggest changes in barcode technology since the UPC was first introduced.
The initiative is called GS1 Sunrise 2027, and while businesses won't need to replace every UPC barcode overnight, now is the time to begin planning.
What Is GS1 Sunrise 2027?
GS1, the global organization responsible for barcode standards, has established Sunrise 2027 as the milestone for retailers to support scanning next-generation 2D barcodes—including QR Codes and DataMatrix at the point of sale. During the transition, traditional UPC barcodes and 2D barcodes will coexist, with many products carrying both symbols.
Unlike traditional UPC barcodes that primarily identify a product, 2D barcodes can contain significantly more information, including:
- Product identification (GTIN)
- Lot and batch numbers
- Expiration dates
- Serial numbers
- Manufacturing information
- Product authentication
- Links to digital product information
- Sustainability and recycling information
- Consumer instructions and promotions
This additional data creates new opportunities throughout the supply chain while improving the customer experience.
Why the Change?
Today's consumers and supply chains expect more than a simple product identifier.
Manufacturers need better traceability.
Retailers want improved inventory visibility.
Healthcare organizations require expiration tracking.
Consumers expect instant access to product information by scanning a package with their smartphone.
A single 2D barcode can support all of these use cases while reducing packaging complexity. Rather than printing separate UPCs, QR codes, and promotional codes, organizations can eventually rely on one standardized barcode that serves multiple purposes.
Will UPC Barcodes Disappear?
No—not immediately. During the transition, many manufacturers will use dual marking, placing both the traditional UPC barcode and a GS1-compliant 2D barcode on product packaging. Retailers are upgrading point-of-sale systems to read both formats, and UPC barcodes are expected to remain in use for years after the 2027 milestone.
How Should Businesses Prepare?
Even if your organization isn't changing packaging today, it's a good time to evaluate your barcode technology.
Ask yourself:
- Can your barcode printers produce high-quality 2D barcodes?
- Are your barcode scanners capable of reading QR codes and GS1 DataMatrix symbols?
- Will your labeling software support new GS1 standards?
- Are your barcode labels durable enough for your operating environment?
- Can your workflow adapt as customers and trading partners begin requesting 2D barcodes?
Organizations that start preparing now will avoid rushed upgrades later while taking advantage of the operational benefits sooner.
Why Your Printing Equipment Matters
Not every barcode printer or scanner is designed for high-quality 2D barcode production.
Because QR codes contain much more information than traditional UPCs, print quality becomes even more important. Poor print resolution, low-quality labels, or worn printheads can reduce scan reliability and create unnecessary delays.
Choosing the right printer, label materials, and scanning equipment today helps ensure you're ready for tomorrow's barcode standards.
We Can Help You Prepare for GS1
Whether you're printing UPC labels today or preparing for GS1 Sunrise 2027, Symbology Enterprises can help you select barcode printers, scanners, label materials, and workflow solutions that support both current operations and future requirements.
Utilizing Zebra, Honeywell/Brady Intelligent Productivity Solutions, and Epson Color Works hardware, Symbology’s various barcode duplicator solutions will help you turn those 1D UPC barcodes into GS1 compliant 2D!
The transition to 2D barcodes isn't something to fear—it's an opportunity to modernize your labeling operations and unlock new efficiencies.
If you're planning for GS1 Sunrise 2027 or simply want to ensure your barcode printing and scanning equipment is ready for the future, contact Barcode Duplicator today to speak with one of our labeling experts.