{
  "dataset": {
    "slug": "gs1-sunrise-2027-readiness",
    "name": "GS1 Sunrise 2027 and 2D Barcode Migration Tracker",
    "description": "A staged QR Cat dataset for GS1 Sunrise 2027, 2D barcode readiness, GS1 Digital Link, and retail POS migration milestones.",
    "asOf": "2026-06-29",
    "canonicalUrl": "https://getqrcat.com/2d-migration",
    "jsonUrl": "https://getqrcat.com/data/2d-migration.json",
    "csvUrl": "https://getqrcat.com/data/2d-migration.csv",
    "embedUrl": "https://getqrcat.com/embed/2d-migration",
    "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "disclaimer": "GS1 Sunrise 2027 is an industry migration target, not a legal mandate. Always check GS1 and retailer-specific sources before making packaging or POS decisions."
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "slug": "gs1-sunrise-2027-timeline",
      "title": "GS1 Sunrise 2027 global 2D barcode migration target",
      "segment": "industry",
      "industry": "Retail",
      "country": "Global",
      "retailer": "",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "dateType": "industry target",
      "published": "2026-06-29",
      "effective": "2027-12-31",
      "effectiveLabel": "Industry ambition to read 2D barcodes at retail POS by the end of 2027",
      "before": "Retail POS systems primarily scan 1D EAN/UPC barcodes carrying a GTIN.",
      "after": "Retail POS systems should be able to scan 2D barcodes such as QR codes or Data Matrix symbols carrying GS1 identifiers and richer data.",
      "affectedTools": ["barcode-generator", "qr-generator", "qr-scan-test"],
      "sourceLabel": "GS1 US Sunrise 2027",
      "source": "https://www.gs1us.org/industries-and-insights/by-topic/sunrise-2027",
      "secondarySources": [
        {
          "label": "GS1 global 2D barcodes",
          "url": "https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes/2d-barcodes"
        }
      ],
      "lastChecked": "2026-06-29",
      "verified": true,
      "notes": [
        "Treat 2027 as a GS1 industry ambition and readiness window, not a law or universal retailer deadline.",
        "Retailer-specific go-live dates are intentionally excluded unless a direct retailer or GS1 member-organisation source is available."
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "us-retail-pos-2d-readiness",
      "title": "U.S. retail POS 2D scanning readiness",
      "segment": "country",
      "industry": "Retail grocery and consumer goods",
      "country": "United States",
      "retailer": "",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "dateType": "industry target",
      "published": "2026-06-29",
      "effective": "2027-12-31",
      "effectiveLabel": "U.S. retail industry readiness target by the end of 2027",
      "before": "Many U.S. POS lanes and supplier labels still depend on 1D UPC symbols.",
      "after": "Retailers and suppliers prepare imaging scanners, POS software, and package artwork for 2D symbols carrying GS1 data.",
      "affectedTools": ["barcode-generator", "batch-qr", "qr-scan-test"],
      "sourceLabel": "GS1 US Sunrise 2027",
      "source": "https://www.gs1us.org/industries-and-insights/by-topic/sunrise-2027",
      "secondarySources": [],
      "lastChecked": "2026-06-29",
      "verified": true,
      "notes": [
        "This row does not claim every U.S. retailer will accept every 2D symbol on the same date.",
        "Use direct retailer readiness notices before advising suppliers on live packaging changes."
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "gs1-digital-link-for-retail-packaging",
      "title": "GS1 Digital Link as the web-connected 2D barcode data layer",
      "segment": "standard",
      "industry": "Retail packaging",
      "country": "Global",
      "retailer": "",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "dateType": "standard reference",
      "published": "2026-06-29",
      "effective": "rolling",
      "effectiveLabel": "Rolling implementation; no separate legal effective date from GS1 Digital Link",
      "before": "A printed package barcode usually resolves only to a GTIN at checkout.",
      "after": "A GS1 Digital Link URI can connect the identifier to web content such as product information, recall pages, or instructions while preserving GS1 identification.",
      "affectedTools": ["qr-generator", "barcode-generator"],
      "sourceLabel": "GS1 Digital Link standard overview",
      "source": "https://www.gs1.org/standards/gs1-digital-link",
      "secondarySources": [
        {
          "label": "GS1 2D barcodes",
          "url": "https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes/2d-barcodes"
        }
      ],
      "lastChecked": "2026-06-29",
      "verified": true,
      "notes": [
        "The Digital Link row is a standards/readiness row, not a dated mandate.",
        "Do not imply QR Cat can issue official GS1 identifiers, prefixes, or GTINs."
      ]
    },
    {
      "slug": "canada-2d-barcode-ambition-2027",
      "title": "Canada retail 2D barcode Ambition 2027 guidance",
      "segment": "country",
      "industry": "Retail grocery and consumer goods",
      "country": "Canada",
      "retailer": "",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "dateType": "industry ambition",
      "published": "2026-06-29",
      "effective": "2027-12-31",
      "effectiveLabel": "Canadian retail Ambition 2027 readiness window",
      "before": "Suppliers commonly print 1D barcodes for POS identification.",
      "after": "Suppliers and retailers prepare for 2D symbols that can carry more product data while remaining POS-readable.",
      "affectedTools": ["barcode-generator", "qr-generator", "qr-scan-test"],
      "sourceLabel": "GS1 Canada Retail 2D FAQ",
      "source": "https://gs1ca.org/gs1ca-components/documents/Retail_2D_FAQ_EN.pdf",
      "secondarySources": [
        {
          "label": "GS1 US Sunrise 2027",
          "url": "https://www.gs1us.org/industries-and-insights/by-topic/sunrise-2027"
        }
      ],
      "lastChecked": "2026-06-29",
      "verified": true,
      "notes": [
        "The row is based on GS1 Canada guidance and keeps the date as an ambition/readiness window.",
        "Check retailer-specific Canadian onboarding notices before changing live packaging."
      ]
    }
  ]
}