GS1 Sunrise 2027

Sunrise 2027 is the industry programme to make every retail POS capable of scanning 2D barcodes by the end of 2027, so brands can replace the legacy EAN/UPC with a single 2D code that does both POS and consumer engagement.

For brands it removes the 'two barcodes on the pack' problem; for retailers it unlocks batch and expiry capture at the till; for shoppers it means scanning the same code that beeps at checkout opens a rich product experience.

Major retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Carrefour, Walmart pilot lanes, etc.) are already upgrading scanners — and ESPR-era DPPs assume 2D as the on-pack carrier.