2026 Manufacturer's Guide to GS1 Sunrise 2027 | ALS Identify
GS1 Sunrise 2027 · Free Resource

The 2026 Manufacturer's Guide to GS1 Sunrise 2027 and 2D Codes

By 2027, GS1 Sunrise will change how barcodes are scanned, shared, and validated across global supply chains. This guide gives manufacturers a clear, jargon-free action plan.

  • Do we need to change our barcodes before the deadline?
  • Will our existing line scanners and vision systems still work?
  • What happens if our customers upgrade before we do?
  • How does this affect variable data, traceability and artwork?
~12
Months until GS1 Sunrise 2027 Plan now — changes to labels, scanners, and line performance take time
Free download · 2026 Edition
2026 Manufacturer's Guide to GS1 Sunrise 2027 & 2D Codes
18 pages 12 min read PDF · Free

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2027
GS1 Sunrise
deadline year
10x
More data carried by
a GS1 DataMatrix
3
Core production areas
you need to review
0
Cost of this
manufacturer's guide

Six chapters. Everything you need to prepare.

Written for production, engineering, and marketing teams — not just standards bodies. Clear explanations, real decisions, practical checklists.

01
What is GS1 Sunrise 2027?

What the transition actually means, why it's happening now, and who it affects across the supply chain.

02
The business case for DataMatrix

What 2D codes unlock that 1D barcodes never could — from traceability to anti-counterfeiting to dynamic data.

03
What changes on your production line?

Print, marking, scanners, artwork, and verification — a clear breakdown of the areas you'll need to review.

04
Your 6-stage readiness roadmap

A proven framework for manufacturers to assess, plan, and execute their transition without disruption.

05
The 5 most common mistakes

Real-world pitfalls ALS Identify has seen manufacturers make — and how to avoid them before they cost you.

06
Your readiness checklist

A printable self-assessment to benchmark where your facility stands today and what to prioritise next.

What's actually changing on your line

GS1 Sunrise 2027 isn't just a barcode swap. Here's an honest look at the before and after for manufacturers.

Before 2027 Traditional 1D barcodes
  • Linear 1D barcodes carry only a GTIN
  • No batch, expiry or serial number in the barcode
  • Scanners reject if the symbol grade is poor
  • Artwork updates require new plate sets
  • Traceability relies on printed text, not machine-readable data
  • No single code for retail and logistics uses
After GS1 Sunrise 2027 GS1 DataMatrix 2D codes
  • DataMatrix carries GTIN plus batch, expiry, serial and more
  • Full traceability baked into a single scannable symbol
  • Higher print quality thresholds — verification becomes critical
  • Variable data printed digitally — faster label changes
  • One code scanned by retail POS and logistics readers alike
  • Line integration required to pass data to the symbol in real time
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Don't let 2027 catch you off guard

Download the free guide now and get a clear, practical plan for your facility — before the deadline forces the issue.