QR Codes Will Replace Barcodes by 2027: What Will Change for Businesses, Retail, and Consumers

The classic barcode, familiar to every shopper, has been an essential part of commerce for more than half a century. However, the rapid development of digital technologies and growing market demands have led to a major modernization scheduled for 2027. The nonprofit organization GS1, which regulates global marking standards, has announced the Sunrise 2027 initiative — a transition from traditional one-dimensional (1D) barcodes to two-dimensional QR-style codes capable of storing significantly more data, effectively turning them into digital business cards for brands.

What the New Digital Format Provides

The new format creates a foundation for more transparent supply chains, improved interaction with consumers, and higher retail efficiency. Essentially, this marks a technological shift in which every product becomes a complete information carrier accessible through a single smartphone scan.

Goals and Objectives of the Sunrise 2027 Project

The Sunrise 2027 project aims to replace one-dimensional barcodes — whose functionality is limited to transmitting minimal data — with two-dimensional codes capable of providing complete product information: from ingredients and origin to storage conditions and warranty details.
The initiative will create a unified international standard, enabling the entire retail infrastructure — from POS terminals to warehouse systems — to work with the new type of code. Major manufacturers, retailers, transport companies, and logistics operators are already testing 2D marking solutions in preparation for the large-scale transition.

Will QR Codes Completely Replace Traditional Barcodes?

Yes — but not immediately. Even after the project launches, adaptation will take years: equipment, POS systems, production lines, and logistics processes will need to be updated. In some countries, the transition may take decades.
Still, the direction has already been set, and leading global market players support this transformation.

How 2D Codes Work

Two-dimensional QR-style codes are scanned by cashiers in the same way as traditional barcodes, but they offer fundamentally new capabilities:

• consumers can scan the code with a smartphone to access extended product information;

• the data is stored in a more secure and flexible format;

• the code can serve as a communication tool between brands and customers;

• the data capacity exceeds traditional barcodes by hundreds of times.

QR codes are already used on many product packages, but full implementation across all stages — from warehouse to checkout — was previously limited by the absence of a unified standard. Sunrise 2027 solves this issue.

Advantages of QR Codes as the New Product Code

1. Extended and Flexible Product Information

QR codes allow brands to provide extensive product data without cluttering the packaging. Manufacturers can include:

• ingredients, nutritional values, allergens;

• halal, kosher, organic, and vegan certifications;

• care instructions for clothing and textiles;

• video and audio user instructions;

• environmental information and recycling guidelines;

• warranty terms, return and exchange policies;

• production and logistics history.

Dynamic QR codes enable updates at any time — without changing the packaging.

2. Improved After-Sales Service

One scan provides access to the full product history:

• purchase date,

• warranty details,

• return information,

• origin data and serial number.

This significantly speeds up service, reduces disputes, and simplifies the workflow for service center staff.

3. Demonstration of Sustainable and Ethical Practices

Consumers increasingly prefer brands committed to sustainability. QR codes help brands:

• show the environmental journey of the product;

• confirm the origin of raw materials;

• describe manufacturing conditions;

• highlight efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

By scanning the code, customers gain more trust in the brand.

4. Authentication and Anti-Counterfeit Protection

QR codes help protect against counterfeits — especially in sectors such as jewelry, electronics, and premium goods. They allow consumers to:

• verify authenticity certificates;

• register the product in the manufacturer’s database;

• protect themselves from counterfeit items;

• track lost or stolen items (if using dynamic codes with geolocation).

5. Optimized Logistics and Warehousing

QR codes improve quality control and speed up product handling:

• tracking expiration dates;

• monitoring production and delivery dates;

• automating FIFO systems;

• preventing spoilage of perishable goods;

• reducing logistic errors.

Warehouse employees only need to scan the code to access all necessary data within seconds.