UPC and 2D basics
Yes. Most brands should continue using their existing UPC or EAN barcode during the 2D barcode transition.
Readiness flow
Data, label, scan, print
Concise answer
Sunrise 2027 is an industry goal for retail POS systems to support GS1-compliant 2D barcodes. It is not a blanket instruction to remove linear barcodes from packaging.
For most small brands, the safer planning path is dual-marking: keep the linear barcode and add a properly formatted 2D code only after confirming requirements with GS1, marketplaces, retailers, or qualified advisers.
Packaging audit
For most brands, the practical work is comparing current UPC placement, available label space, packaging refresh timing, and channel requirements before changing artwork.
Retail scanning environments do not upgrade all at once. Some checkout lanes, warehouses, marketplaces, and regions will move faster than others. A linear barcode remains the lowest-risk fallback for legacy scanning.
Consider a 2D barcode when a retailer requests it, when you need batch or expiry data, when you want a GS1 Digital Link for consumer information, or when you are already refreshing packaging.
Do not remove the linear barcode for broad retail distribution unless the receiving partner has explicitly confirmed that 2D-only packaging is accepted in your exact use case.
Submit your channel list, label size, SKU count, and printer/scanner setup to see whether your next step is wait, pilot, or prepare for dual-marking.
Use this transition table before changing packaging or removing any existing barcode.
| Label approach | Planning direction |
|---|---|
| Linear only | Acceptable for some current workflows, but may limit future data use. |
| 2D only | Risky for broad retail unless specifically approved by your partner. |
| Linear + 2D | Usually the safer transition approach for brands testing 2D readiness. |
No. Treat 2027 as an industry readiness target, not a legal ban on UPCs.
Not by default. A consumer QR code is not automatically a GS1-compliant retail checkout code.
Usually no. The GTIN identifies the product; batch, lot, or expiry data can be added as variable data where appropriate.
Marketplace label rules are separate. Confirm Amazon, FNSKU, or fulfillment requirements directly with Amazon or your marketplace workflow.
Not automatically. First confirm channel requirements and test with pilot SKUs.
Share your channel list, printer/scanner setup, label size, SKU count, and timing for an independent readiness direction.
Disclaimer
This site is independent and not affiliated with GS1. It provides educational readiness guidance only, not legal, compliance, marketplace, retailer, or GS1 approval advice.