Supply-chain standards organization GS1 US has released a Barcode Capabilities Test Kit to help retailers gauge their readiness to shift from linear Universal Product Codes (UPCs) to data-rich 2D barcodes on product packaging by 2027.
Ewing, N.J.-based GS1 US said the Barcode Capabilities Test Kit evaluates a retailer’s ability to scan and process 2D barcodes at point of sale (POS) as well as to support stocking and receiving functions in warehouses and distribution centers. The program is part of a migration plan for phasing out UPCs and implementing 2D barcodes, dubbed “Sunrise 2027 — A New Dimension in Barcodes,” that will steer brands through labeling transitions and help ensure the reliability of 2D barcode scanning.
