Phase 1: Confirm where your products are scanned
List every sales channel: Shopify, Amazon, wholesale, retail stores, distributors, 3PLs, and internal warehouse workflows. Write down who controls the barcode requirement for each channel.
Checklist
GS1 Sunrise 2027 Readiness Checklist for Small Operations
This checklist helps small brands, marketplace sellers, and warehouse teams organize a practical 2D barcode readiness audit. It is not a GS1-issued document, legal advice, retail approval, or marketplace compliance review.
Readiness flow
Data, label, scan, print
Start with an audit
Checklist workflow
A practical checklist starts with your selling channels
First confirm which retailers, marketplaces, or supply-chain partners are asking for 2D barcode support. Then audit scanners, label printers, label software, SKU data, packaging artwork, and pilot timing.
Review
Test
Request
Concise answer
Keep existing UPC or EAN barcodes during the transition
A practical Sunrise 2027 readiness checklist starts with your selling channels, not with hardware shopping. Keep existing UPC or EAN barcodes during the transition unless your partner explicitly tells you otherwise.
Phase 2: Audit scanning hardware
Identify whether each scanner is a 1D laser scanner or a 2D imager. If the device only reads linear barcodes, mark it as "needs review before 2D use."
Phase 3: Audit label printing
Record printer model, print method, resolution, label material, daily label volume, and whether your software can create GS1-formatted 2D codes or variable data labels.
Phase 4: Audit data readiness
2D barcodes only help if the data is clean. Confirm whether your system tracks GTIN, SKU, lot, batch, expiry, serial number, and destination channel.
Phase 5: Plan artwork and pilot timing
Do not reprint packaging in panic. Identify the next natural artwork update, then pilot with a small group of priority SKUs after confirming partner requirements.
Download the operational checklist
Then request a starter recommendation if you want help mapping your SKU count, label volume, hardware, and budget into a practical next step.
Current setup vs next audit step
Use this table to decide where your first audit effort should go.
| Current setup | Next audit step |
|---|---|
| Retail supplier with old scanners | Audit scanners and partner requirements first. |
| DTC-only seller with no variable data | Monitor transition and avoid unnecessary spending. |
| Perishable or batch-tracked brand | Audit data and print workflow early. |
| Warehouse replacing hardware now | Choose 2D-capable scanning unless there is a clear reason not to. |
Frequently asked questions
Is this a GS1 checklist? +
No. It is an independent operational checklist.
Should I remove my UPC? +
No. Keep the existing linear barcode unless a qualified partner gives a specific instruction.
What is the first thing to audit? +
Your sales channels and who sets barcode requirements for each channel.
What hardware should I check? +
Barcode scanner type, label printer resolution, label software, and print workflow.
What if I do not know my printer DPI? +
Submit the printer model or choose "not sure" in the form.
Should every SKU move first? +
Usually no. Start with high-volume, retail-bound, perishable, or batch-tracked SKUs.
Request a recommendation after the checklist
If you are unsure how to translate the checklist into next steps, share your channels, hardware, budget, and timeline for an independent starter 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.