If your products are sold at retail, there's an important change coming to product labeling and packaging: GS1 Sunrise 2027.

Whether you're in food & beverage, wine & spirits, beauty & cosmetics, healthcare, medical products, or consumer goods, now is the time to start understanding what this transition could mean for your products.

Don't worry—we'll keep it simple.

FROM 1D → 2D

For decades, the familiar UPC barcode has primarily been used to identify a product at checkout.

The industry is now moving toward 2D barcodes, including GS1-powered QR codes and GS1 DataMatrix codes.

Why?

Because a 2D barcode can carry or connect to significantly more information than a traditional UPC.

Depending on your product and application, that can include:

• Product identification
• Lot and batch numbers
• Production and expiration dates
• Traceability information
• Recall information
• Ingredients and product details
• Authentication information
• Instructions and documentation
• Consumer-facing digital content

One small code can do a lot more.

WHAT HAPPENS IN 2027?

Sunrise 2027 is the retail industry's target for point-of-sale systems to be capable of scanning and processing GS1-standard 2D barcodes.

That doesn't mean your traditional UPC suddenly stops working in 2027.

During the transition, many products may carry both a traditional UPC and a 2D barcode, and UPC barcodes are expected to continue being accepted after the 2027 milestone.

The bigger takeaway is simple:

The way products are identified, scanned and connected to information is changing.

WHAT COULD THIS MEAN FOR YOUR INDUSTRY?

FOOD & BEVERAGE
Better expiration-date management, lot tracking, recalls, ingredients, allergens and product information.

WINE & SPIRITS
Product identification, traceability, authentication, production information and an easy connection to digital brand experiences.

BEAUTY & COSMETICS
Connect consumers to ingredients, product details, usage information, authenticity and additional brand content without overcrowding your packaging.

MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE
Capture important product information such as lot/batch numbers and expiration dates while supporting greater traceability throughout the supply chain.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Use a smarter barcode to help connect retail checkout, inventory, product information and consumer engagement.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL 2027 TO START THINKING ABOUT IT.

Every time you redesign a label, change packaging or purchase new barcode printing and scanning equipment, it's worth considering what's coming next.

That's where Thermal ID Technologies can help.

We specialize in labels, barcode printing, scanning and identification solutions, and we're here to help businesses navigate the transition toward the next generation of barcode technology.

Whether you need help with:

2D Barcodes • GS1 DataMatrix • QR Codes • Variable Data • Barcode Labels • Thermal Printers • Barcode Scanners • Labeling Solutions

—we can help you determine the right solution for your operation.

GET AHEAD OF SUNRISE 2027.

Talk to Thermal ID Technologies about getting your labels, printers and barcode systems ready for what's next by filling our contact form or emailing sales@thermalidtech.com.