Key Takeaways
The GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative mandates a shift from 1D to 2D barcodes. Manufacturers must prepare by defining labeling strategies and choosing the right machine vision partner for a smooth transition.
Here’s how to prepare effectively and leverage the advantages:
- 2D barcodes improve data storage, traceability, and consumer transparency.
- Transition steps include defining labeling strategies, ensuring code quality, and choosing a machine vision partner.
- Cognex’s AI-powered tools simplify compliance, enhance barcode readability, and reduce operational disruptions.
- Machine vision optimizes production, cutting costs and accelerating time-to-market.
The GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative is a global project aimed at transitioning from 1D barcodes to 2D barcodes. It’s important that manufacturers are prepared for this shift away from traditional barcodes. This isn't merely a technical update—it's a significant operational change that will impact how products are tracked, traced, and authenticated throughout their lifecycle.
Here’s what the GS1 Sunrise 2027 project means for manufacturers, the steps you should take to prepare, and how Cognex can help with this transition.
Understanding the GS1 sunrise 2027 project
At its core, the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative plans to replace 1D barcodes, such as EAN and UPC, with 2D barcodes like Data Matrix and QR codes by the end of 2027. This change comes with many benefits and will help improve operations, product information encoding, and more.
Benefits of converting to 2D GS1 barcodes
The initiative’s main goal is to change production for the better, from improving how product information is stored, to a better logistics flow. A few benefits include:
- Better data storage: 2D barcodes store much more detailed product data and information compared to 1D codes.
- Improved traceability: Tracking products through operations and supply chains is easier with 2D codes.
- 2D codes have increased readability over 1D codes.
- There is more redundancy and error correction built into 2D symbology, so even if damaged, it can still be decoded more often than a damaged 1D code.
- High readability: Unlike traditional 1D barcodes, 2D codes are designed for superior readability, even in challenging conditions. Their ability to store more data in a smaller space and incorporate error correction technology means that even if a code is partially damaged, it can still be accurately decoded. This ensures greater traceability for businesses.
- Transparency for consumers: Detailed product data is easily accessible to consumers by scanning 2D barcodes with their devices. These codes provide consumers with clear information about the product.
4 steps to begin transitioning from 1D to 2D barcodes
- Determine product information to encode: First, decide what information you want to include in your barcodes. Compared to 1D codes, 2D codes can store large amounts of data including lot codes, expiration dates, links, etc.
- Define the labeling strategy: Manufacturers need to choose between static pre-printed labels or dynamic labels, which are in-line digital and on-demand printing labels. For data with high variability, dynamic codes are often recommended.
- Meet code quality standards: To comply with new GS1 and ISO standards, maintaining high code quality is a must. To help monitor, track, and validate barcode quality, it’s helpful to integrate barcode grading tools into operations.
- Since more information can be encoded on 2D codes than the old 1D codes, many brands will elect to print the 2D codes on their labels as part of the production process.
- These printed codes must meet both “code quality” and “print quality” requirements like positioning, angle, uniformity, and more.
- New quality steps must be put in place to address this new process – which is where machine vision-based automated inspection comes in.
- Even when using the new 2D codes, manufacturers also have to print separate identifying text codes on labels and verify those against the requirements as well.
- A GS1 Digital link is an encoding method with a specific syntax that enables product information to be digitized and accessed via a web link. The pages behind the web link can contain both consumer-focused and supply-chain partner-focused information.
- Using this method, if information changes, it’s managed on the back end, and the code doesn’t need to change – providing greater flexibility and reducing the need to update physical labels when product details, regulatory information, or supply chain requirements evolve over time. A supply chain partner can scan the code and get relevant product information such as lot code, expiration date, etc., which helps them manage their inventory more efficiently.
- Choose a machine vision partner: Selecting the right technology partner is critical to a successful transition. Working with a vendor that offers 2D barcode solutions will help ensure compatibility across production lines, simplify troubleshooting, and streamline training. Look for partners with GS1 expertise who provide clear paths from existing 1D systems to reduce operational disruption while offering scalable adaptable solutions.
Challenges of transitioning to 2D barcodes
With the transition to 2D barcodes come several challenges manufacturers must be aware of. Some of these challenges include:
- Changes to existing processes: Operations that are currently using 1D codes might need to undergo changes to seamlessly transition to the new standard.
- New quality control measures: It’s important for new quality control rules, procedures, and measures to be established clearly for the new transition.
- The main reason for more quality control rules and procedures is that manufacturers might want to print 2D codes on demand as a part of the production process instead of buying labels with pre-printed codes on them.
- Barcode printing and readability: Making sure that 2D barcodes are printed, scanned, read, and interpreted correctly is key for systems that will depend on 2D barcodes.
- Cost and expenses: Manufacturers will need to consider expenses such as:
- Purchasing high-speed 2D image-based barcode readers to replace current barcode readers without 2D code support
- Redesigning labels for new 2D codes
- Using digital on-demand code printing for quicker production. It's more efficient and cost-effective to reprogram the label printer for new labels than to keep pre-printed labels.
Cutting costs with machine vision
The transition to 2D barcodes as part of the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative brings with it several considerations related to costs and savings. It’s important to consider expenses when implementing machine vision systems and high-speed 2D barcode readers to replace readers that do not support 2D codes.
Manufacturers can save costs significantly with the optimized production that machine vision offers. A great example is using digital on-demand code printing for quicker production – which is more efficient and cost-effective than pre-printed labels.
Time-to-market
Transitioning to 2D barcodes can also significantly accelerate time-to-market. 2D codes have much more readability – meaning that even if a code is damaged, it can still be decoded more than a damaged 1D code.
This helps reduce delays in production, helping products move through the supply chain more swiftly. This efficiency is crucial in fast-paced manufacturing environments where time is of the essence.
Additionally, manufacturers can get more detailed product information in a single scan which further streamlines operations and reduces the need for human intervention. This efficiency not only optimizes operations, but also helps manufacturers adapt seamlessly to upcoming industry standards.
By preparing for the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative now, manufacturers can leverage Cognex's AI-powered tools and solutions to ensure a smooth transition.
How can Cognex help with compliance?
When it comes to maintaining a brand, compliance is an important concern. But how can manufacturers make sure they comply with rules?
Brand integrity relies on compliance, but how can manufacturers ensure they meet regulatory standards? Barcode verification and quality control play a crucial role in this process, helping businesses maintain supply chain partnerships and adhere to government regulations.
In addition to ensuring the 2D barcodes are ISO compliant, printing text-based lot/expiration codes on products (by law) is needed. Even if the same code is embedded in the new 2D code, these barcodes must be both:
- Readable by humans
- Present on the package
This creates an opportunity to leverage machine vision and OCR technology to verify code accuracy and compliance efficiently. Cognex offers advanced solutions to streamline the transition to 2D barcodes, ensuring seamless integration into manufacturing processes.
Advanced barcode reading for seamless compliance and traceability
The Cognex DataMan 290 barcode reader is particularly well-suited to help manufacturers prepare for the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative and comply with GS1 and ISO standards. With AI powered decoding, the DataMan 290 can help boost traceability and accuracy – easily track parts and packages throughout a facility.
It can also handle many applications and use cases such as:
- 1D and 2D code reading: Handle a wide range of barcode symbologies for flexible performance and built-in scalability.
- Printed code reading: Read printed codes on a variety of surfaces to improve traceability and operational flexibility.
- Direct part mark reading: Decode direct part marks, including tough-to-read dot peen marks, for more reliable data capture.
- Multi-code reading: Read multiple barcodes in a single scan for higher throughput and efficiency.
- Multi-reader sync: Synchronize multiple readers to seamlessly scan barcodes across large areas or solve complex barcode reading applications.
The future of GS1 sunrise 2027 initiative
The various AI-powered inspection tools and technology at Cognex make barcode reading easier – all while providing validation for packaging. Our solutions make sure that 2D barcodes are readable and reliable, helping manufacturers stay informed, ahead of the game, and ready to gain a competitive advantage in their operations.
By preparing for the GS1 Sunrise 2027 project now, manufacturers can get a head start and ease into the full transition without too much overwhelm. The shift to 2D barcodes can feel daunting, but Cognex technology can help make it manageable, practical, and convenient.