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Version 1.0.0, April 2025

Solution provider 2D readiness

Criteria for solution provider self-attestations of readiness to implement 2D barcodes for retail POS.

This document sets out the criteria to which solution providers may self-assess their products and services in support of GS1's Ambition 2027 (sometimes referred to to as Sunrise 2027):

The transition from legacy linear 1D barcodes to new, more capable 2D barcodes on pack with an initial goal of Retail POS scanners globally capable of reading and processing both old and new barcodes by the end of 2027.[source]

The underlying principle is that all relevant standards and guidelines are followed. Only by doing so can 2D barcodes be printed, positioned on pack, scanned, verified and linked to digital information in a way that is robust and interoperable across the retail ecosystem (e.g., brands and retailers) while allowing individual solution providers to compete in the market according to their own unique strengths.

Summary

Barcode Creation and Printing Solutions
GS1 DATAMATRIXSupports compliant ECC200 GS1 DataMatrix retail 2D barcode
GS1 DATAMATRIXSupports compliant ECC200 Data Matrix retail 2D barcode
QR CODESupports compliant QR Code retail 2D barcode
GS1 SSTCompliant with GS1 General Specifications Symbol Specification Tables
ELEMENT STRING SYNTAXGS1 DataMatrix uses GS1 Element String Syntax
GS1 DIGITAL LINK URI SYNTAXData Matrix and QR Code uses GS1 Digital Link URI Syntax
POS Scanners
RECOGNITIONRecognise, decode and transmit just the compliant retail 2D barcodes
REFLECTANCESupports both normal and reversed reflectance
MODE 1 SUPPORTEDTransmits first GTIN irrespective of linear or 2D barcode
SCAN SPEEDTransmits scan results within prescribed time limit
MODE 2 SUPPORTEDPrioritises GS1 compliant retail 2D barcode
MODE 3 SUPPORTEDTransmits all GS1 compliant retail barcodes in a single scan with a generated 8-digit identifier
MULTIPLE SOURCEConfigurable to support one or all GS1 compliant retail barcodes
Verifiers
RECOGNITIONRecognise, decode and transmit just the compliant retail 2D barcodes
ALIGNMENTAlignment with relevant GS1 specifications
GS1 SSTConfigurable to GS1 General Specifications Symbol Specification Tables
REPORTING — LINEARMinimum support for reporting on GS1 retail linear barcodes
REPORTING — 2DMinimum support for reporting on GS1 retail 2D barcodes
Connected Data Services
TERMINOLOGY Uses accurate terminology when referring to the compliant retail 2D barcodes
INTERNET DOMAIN NAME Supports use of brand's own domain name
REDIRECTION Enables redirection from Digital Link URI to digital information about item
BEYOND THE GTIN Support for construction of GS1 Digital Link URIs with Application Identifiers beyond just GTIN
RESOLVER (optional) Conformance of resolver service to the GS1 standard

There are three types of 2D barcode within the scope of Ambition 2027.

A QR Code

(01)09521101530001

QR Code with GS1 Digital Link URI syntax
A Data Matrix

(01)09521101530001

GS1 DataMatrix
A Data Matrix

(01)09521101530001

Data Matrix with GS1 Digital Link URI syntax

The full specification of these 2D barcodes, including their HRI, syntax and quality is defined in the GS1 General Specifications and GS1 Digital Link URI specification.

GS1's 2D Barcodes at Retail Point-of-Sale Implementation Guideline contains important advice on how to make the transition from 1D barcodes. It covers issues such as the choice of barcode and syntax, and the positioning of one or multiple barcodes. This is complemented by the 2D Colour and Quality Guide.

To make the transition to accepting 2D barcodes at point-of-sale (POS), barcode creation software and printers will need to be capable of following the following ISO/IEC standards:

Your solution must be able to encode, generate and either print or send to user-defined printer, a compliant ECC200 GS1 DataMatrix retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d2, the GS1 element string will start with a FCN1 and follow the syntax rules. The examples below encode 010952110153000110ABC123^17270104 where “^” is used in example for FNC1 or <GS> (Group Separator).

A Data Matrix

(01)09521101530001

Normal reflectance (black on white)
A white Data Matrix on a black background

(01)09521101530001

Reverse reflectance (White on Black)

GS1 DataMatrix symbology has multiple sizes to match various data content the size square and rectangular 2D barcode matrix SHALL comply with GS1 General Specifications’s ECC 200 square symbol attributes (currently Figure 5.6.3.2 1) and ECC 200 Rectangular symbol attributes (currently Figure 5.6.3.2 2).

Your solution must be able to encode, create and either print or send to user-defined printer, a compliant ECC 200 Data Matrix retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d1 and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI specification. See examples below which encode https://example.com/01/09521101530001/10/ABC123?17=270104

A Data Matrix

(01)09521101530001

Normal reflectance (black on white)
A white Data Matrix on a black background

(01)09521101530001

Reverse reflectance (White on Black)

Data Matrix symbology has multiple sizes to match various data content the size square and rectangular 2D barcode matrix SHALL comply with GS1 General Specifications’s ECC 200 square symbol attributes (currently Figure 5.6.3.2 1) and ECC 200 Rectangular symbol attributes (currently Figure 5.6.3.2 2).

Your solution must be able to encode, generate and either print or send to user-defined printer, a compliant QR Code retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]Q1 and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI specification. The examples below encode https://example.com/01/09521101530001/10/ABC123?17=270104

A QR Code

(01)09521101530001

Normal reflectance (Black on White)
A QR Code, white on black

(01)09521101530001

Reverse reflectance (White on Black)

QR Code symbology has multiple sizes to match various data content the size square 2D barcode matrix SHALL comply with ISO/IEC 18004.

Retail 2D barcode X-dimension, minimum Quiet Zone and minimum print quality SHALL be compliant with the GS1 General Specifications symbol specification tables for retail Point-of-Sale scanning applications, as reproduced below.

Symbol specification table 1 trade items scanned in general retail POS and not general distribution addendum 2 for 2D barcodes (GenSpecs 2025 Figure 5.12.3.1 3)
X-dimension mm (inches) Minimum symbol height for given X mm (inches) Quiet zone Minimum quality specification
Minimum Target Maximum For minimum X-dimension For target X-dimension For maximum X-dimension Surrounding symbol
GS1 DataMatrix (ECC 200) (*) 0.396 (0.0150") 0.495 (0.0195") 0.990 (0.0390") Height is determined by X-dimension and data that is encoded 1X on all four sides 1.5/12/660
Data Matrix (GS1 Digital Link URI) (ECC 200) (*) (**) 0.396 (0.0150") 0.495 (0.0195") 0.990 (0.0390") Height is determined by X-dimension and data that is encoded 1X on all four sides 1.5/12/660
QR Code (GS1 Digital Link URI) (*) (**) 0.396 (0.0150") 0.495 (0.0195") 0.990 (0.0390") Height is determined by X-dimension and data that is encoded 1X on all four sides 1.5/12/660
Symbol specification table 3 trade items scanned at general retail POS and general distribution addendum 1 for 2D barcodes (GenSpecs 2025 Figure 5.12.3.3 2.)
X-dimension mm (inches) Minimum symbol height for given X mm (inches) Quiet zone Minimum quality specification
Minimum Target Maximum For minimum X-dimension For target X-dimension For maximum X-dimension Surrounding symbol
GS1 DataMatrix (ECC 200) (*) 0.743 (0.0292") 0.990 (0.0390") 0.990 (0.0390") Height is determined by X-dimension and data that is encoded 1X on all four sides 1.5/12/660
Data Matrix (GS1 Digital Link URI) (ECC 200) (*) (**) 0.743 (0.0292") 0.990 (0.0390") 0.990 (0.0390") Height is determined by X-dimension and data that is encoded 1X on all four sides 1.5/12/660
QR Code (GS1 Digital Link URI) (*) (**) 0.743 (0.0292) 0.990 (0.0390") 0.990 (0.0390") Height is determined by X-dimension and data that is encoded 1X on all four sides 1.5/12/660

To make the transition to accepting 2D barcodes at point-of-sale (POS), scanner software will need to be able to:

  1. Process trade items that may have multiple barcodes encoded with GS1 data structures and identification keys, for example a GS1 DataMatrix and an EAN-13 can be on the same trade item and will have the same GTIN.
  2. Identify GS1 DataMatrix barcodes encoded with GS1 element string syntax, Data Matrix and QR Code encoded with GS1 Digital Link URI syntax.
  3. Convert GS1 Digital Link URI to GS1 element string syntax.

Note that GS1 Composite barcodes, GS1 DotCode and GS1 QR Code are out of scope.

Your scanning solution must be able to:

  1. Recognise, decode and transmit information from all compliant retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications (i.e., EAN/UPC and GS1 DataBar retail family barcodes, GS1 DataMatrix, Data Matrix with GS1 Digital Link URI & QR Codes with GS1 Digital Link URI syntax). In addition it must be possible to configure the scanner to ignore any non-GS1 data carriers.
  2. Recognise and decode reversed reflectance (a.k.a. inverse video) and normal reflectance for GS1 DataMatrix, Data Matrix and QR Codes.
    A Data Matrix

    (01)09521101530001

    Normal reflectance (black on white)
    A white Data Matrix on a black background

    (01)09521101530001

    Reverse reflectance (White on Black)

  3. After initially capturing the first GTIN from either a linear or 2D barcode, irrespective of the presence of multiple GS1-compliant retail barcodes on-pack, the scanner can promptly processes and transmit the GTIN with a single audible (e.g., beep) or visual signal, and await subsequent product scans. This is known as Mode 1.

    A QR Code
    An EAN barcode

    Mode 1 example

    If the QR Code encoded with https://example.com/01/09521101530001/10/ABC123?17=270104 is decoded first then the scanner signals the GTIN has been decoded and transmits 09521101530001

    If the EAN-13 is decoded first, the scanner signals the GTIN has been decoded and transmits 09521101530001

  4. Transmit the results for a single product with GS1-compliant retail 2D barcodes in less than 300 milliseconds for high-speed bioptic scanners, and under 500 milliseconds for presentation and an activated handheld device from the moment the GS1-compliant barcode enters the scanner's field of view.

    A drawing of a handheld scanner with both the 2D and 1D in its field of view
    Activated handheld scanner with barcodes in field of view.

  5. Be configured to prioritise the GS1 compliant retail 2D barcodes decode first with a single audible (e.g., beep) or visual signal and transmit GTIN + any additional data (e.g., lot/batch, expiry date, …) in a common format (GS1 element string syntax) and, if one cannot be found, transmit data from the linear barcode. This known as Mode 2.

    A QR Code
    An EAN barcode

    Mode 2 example

    Independent of direction of travel the scanner transmits: 010950600013435210ABC^17231231. In this example, the "^" replaces the unprintable hex 1D (Group Separator) character.

    QR Code encoded data https://example.com/01/09521101530001/10/ABC123?17=270104

    EAN-13 encoded data 09521101530001

  6. Can the scanner be configured to Identify, decode, and transmit all GS1 compliant general retail barcodes (linear or 2D) on a product, while generating a an 8-digit label identification to associate multiple barcodes with the same trade item? Upon capturing the first GTIN from either a linear or 2D barcode, the scanner promptly provides a single audible (e.g., beep) or visual signal. The scanner will generate an 8-digit label identification in a common format head of the barcodes Plain & GS1 element string syntax. Also known as Mode 3.

    A QR Code
    An EAN barcode

    Independent of the direction of travel the scanner transmits: 12345678~010950600013435210ABC^17231231
    12345678~9506000134352

    In this example, the "^" replaces the unprintable hex 1D (Group Separator) character and the "~" is not transmitted but shows the end of the label identification.

  7. Scanner is configurable by the retailer to transmit their desired data (GTIN or GTIN + additional data) from one or all the GS1 compliant retail barcodes.

The ISO/IEC 15426 standard, which is in two parts, defines the test methods and minimum accuracy criteria for verifiers using the methodologies of ISO/IEC 15416 (for linear barcodes) and ISO/IEC 15415 (for multi-row barcodes and two-dimensional (2D) barcode symbols). ISO/IEC 15426-1 relates to linear barcode verifiers and ISO/IEC 15426-2 to two-dimensional barcode verifiers.

For 2D in retail, verification solutions must:

  1. Be able to recognise, decode and deliver information from all compliant retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications (i.e., EAN/UPC and GS1 DataBar retail family barcodes, GS1 DataMatrix, Data Matrix with GS1 Digital Link URI syntax & QR Codes with GS1 Digital Link URI syntax)

  2. Have a process to align and validate GS1 barcode syntaxes (data structures) to GS1 General Specifications and GS1 Digital Link URI specification or leverages GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource.

    Therefore, the verification can vet AI associations and GS1 barcode syntax structures.

  3. Be able to be configured to GS1 Symbol Specification Table (SST 1) (Trade items scanned in general retail POS and not general distribution) or (SST 3) (Trade items scanned at general retail POS and general distribution).

  4. Be able to provide verification reports at a minimum for GS1 retail linear barcodes detailed below:

    ISO/IEC parameter

    • Overall, ISO/IEC grade
    • Decode
    • Symbol contrast
    • Minimum reflectance
    • Edge contrast
    • Modulation
    • Defects
    • Decodability

    GS1 Parameter

    • Symbol (barcode) structure
    • X-dimension
    • Barcode height
    • Quiet Zone (left)
    • Quiet Zone (right)
    • Human readable
    • Barcode width
    • Data structure
    • Syntax used (e.g., Plain, GS1 element string)
    • Decoded data
    • Syntax structure compliance
    • Parses data into elements

  5. Be able to provide verification reports support at a minimum for GS1 retail 2D barcodes

    ISO/IEC parameter

    • Overall, ISO grade
    • Decode
    • Cell contrast/Symbol contrast
    • Cell modulation/ Modulation
    • Axial nonuniformity
    • Grid Nonuniformity
    • Unused Error Correction (UEC)
    • Print growth (horizontal) informative only
    • Print growth (vertical) informative only
    • Fixed pattern damage
    • Clock track and solid area regularity*
    • Quite Zones (QZL1, QZL2)*
    • L1 and L2*
    • Version information**
    • Format information**

    GS1 Parameter

    • Symbol structure
    • Matrix size
    • X-dimension/ cell size***
    • Data structure
    • Validity of GS1 Company Prefix
    • Decoded data
    • Syntax used (e.g., Plain, GS1 element string or GS1 Digital Link URI)
    • Syntax structure compliance
    • Parses data into elements
    • Human readable

(*) Data Matrix Only, see ISO/IEC 16022
(**) QR Code Only, see ISO/IEC 18004
(***) X-dimension/cell size is the average of both the x dimension and y dimension of the cell.

As with verification for 2D in retail, the ISO/IEC 15426 standard, which is in two parts, defines the test methods and minimum accuracy criteria for verifiers using the methodologies of ISO/IEC 15416 (for linear barcodes) and ISO/IEC 15415 (for multi-row barcodes and two-dimensional (2D) barcode symbols). ISO/IEC 15426-1 relates to linear barcode verifiers and ISO/IEC 15426-2 to two-dimensional barcode verifiers.

Full verification goes further.

For bar code verifiers, ISO/IEC 15426-1 defines acceptance criteria for Rmax, Rmin, Decodability and Defects.

For 2D code verifiers ISO/IEC 15426-2 defines acceptance criteria for Rmax, Rmin, UEC. Grid- and Axial nonuniformity, Contrast uniformity and Fixed Pattern damages is for matrix codes only. For GS1 DataBar stacked and composite Decodability Defects and Codeword yield is defined (these don’t apply to matrix codes).

Further it’s mandatory to support the ISO/IEC 15415 and ISO/IEC 15416 methods. DPM ISO/IEC 29158 is not mentioned by the conformance standards and therefore the compliance is derived from the ISO/IEC 15415 conformance (see Verification for 2D in retail).

Additional demands to the equipment:

Verification solutions must:

  1. Asses print quality using specifically designed measurement devices. Print quality control here means a measuring process for optical codes (linear barcodes, 2D barcodes (matrix codes) and stacked linear barcodes). See below for details.
  2. Apply print quality control following the application specifications in the GS1 General Specifications and the GS1 Digital Link URI specification. These specifications are mandatory to apply print quality control because the quality demand needs to match the application requirements for sectors that GS1 serves.

  3. Support the following optical data carriers that are defined by the cited technical standard and used according to GS1 Application specifications.

    Linear barcode types (linear symbologies)

    1. EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A & UPC-E - ISO/IEC 15420
    2. ITF-14 - ISO/IEC 16390
    3. GS1-128 - ISO/IEC 15417
    4. GS1 DataBar - ISO/IEC 24724

    2D barcode types (2D matrix symbologies)

    1. GS1 DataMatrix & Data Matrix - ISO/IEC 16022
    2. GS1 QR Code & QR Code - ISO/IEC 18004
    3. GS1 DotCode - AIM ISS DotCode

  4. Verify that the data carriers encode data following specific defined structures to allow users to understand the data. GS1 has three barcode syntaxes:

    1. Plain structure only uses GTIN.
    2. Element string structure uses GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs) and their corresponding data values as defined by the GS1 General Specifications.
    3. GS1 Digital Link URI structure consists of a base URL followed by parameters that encode GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs) and their corresponding data values as defined by the GS1 Digital Link URI standard.

The methods defined in the ISO/IEC 15426 standard cited above verify the physical code properties such as contrast issue, dimensional accuracy and code construction.

GS1 incorporates these methods into the GS1 General Specifications, which encompass symbology standards, quality standards, and syntax requirements to ensure the integrity of barcode properties. The specifications are further augmented by the GS1 Symbol Specification Tables (SSTs), which define measurement conditions by specifying the minimum quality criteria based on ISO/IEC standardized methods. These criteria encompass factors such as the light source, image filter parameters (expressed in Milli Inch (mils) values), symbology type, and barcode size range (X-dimensions). While the ISO/IEC quality standards delineate the measurement methodology, they allow flexibility for application specifications to define specific measurement conditions, such as lighting conditions or aperture parameters.

The standardised ISO/IEC quality grade methods are as follows:

Standardised ISO/IEC quality grade methods
Quality grades Previous integer ISO/IEC grades Historical ANSI grades Meaning
3,5; 3,6; 3,7; 3,8; 3,9; 4,0 4 A Very good
2,5; 2,6, 2,7, 2,8; 2,9; 3,0; 3,1; 3,2; 3,3; 3,4 3 B Good
1,5; 1,6, 1,7, 1,8; 1,9; 2,0; 2,1; 2,2; 2,3; 2,4 2 C Satisfying
0,5; 0,6, 0,7, 0,8; 0,9; 1,0; 1,1; 1,2; 1,3; 1,4 1 D Adequate
0,0; 0,1; 0,2; 0,3; 0,4 0 F Fail

The current version of ISO/IEC 15415 uses the older integer ISO/IEC grades. A new version of ISO/IEC 15415 is under development. As soon as the new version is published GS1 will use the grading in steps of 1/10.

Each single parameter gets a grade in steps of 1/10 from 0.0 to 4.0. Some are limited to pass (4) or fail (0) only. The lowest grade of a single parameter determines the symbol grade. In case of barcode 10 scan lines are taken. Each of them get a symbol grade. The average of the 10 is then the final symbol grade. This applies for barcodes only.

Decode

  • Quiet zones left and right
  • Check Digit (applies for GS1 Codes always)
  • Reference Decode algorithm
  • Edge determination
  • Element determination (pass/fail only)

Symbol contrast

  • calculated from Rmax and Rmin

Edge contrast

  • Calculated from the lowest contrast of a bar / space pair (Rs, Rb) (pass / fail only)

Minimum reflectance

  • Rmin shall be lower than 50% of Rmax (pass / fail only)

Modulation

  • Relation between Edge Contrast and Symbol Contrast

Defects

  • Grading of not wanted voids and spots

Decodability

  • dimensional accuracy as required for decode algorithm

Reporting of Symbology and decoded data

  • X-dimension (optionally historical magnification factor)(Recognizing GS1 SST size range)
  • Barcode height
  • Barcode width
  • Data structure/syntax used
    • Syntax used (e.g., Plain, GS1 element string)
    • Syntax structure compliance (applies to GS1-128 and GS1 DataBar only) valid format of data in data field
    • Parses data into elements valid application identifier
  • Optional matching Human readable to code content

Decode

  • Reference Decode algorithm, correct code construction (proper use of pad characters, proper use of codewords)

Symbol contrast

  • calculated from Rmax and Rmin

Modulation

  • (determined by ISO/IEC 15415 overlay algorithm)
  • Each Codeword gets a MOD value used by overlay algorithm
  • The lowest MOD value is called “contrast uniformity”

Reflectance margin

  • (equal to Modulation, in case codewords are to be corrected by error correction reflectance margin can be different)

Axial nonuniformity

  • Symbol is stretched or squeezed

Grid Nonuniformity

  • Matrix cells are moved in position

Unused Error Correction (UEC)

  • Matrix Cells with invalid colour is detected and decoded value is corrected

Fixed Pattern Damages

  • As defined by the appropriate symbology standard
  • e.g. Quiet zone (differs between the 3 symbologies)
  • Solid area (Data Matrix only)
  • Finder pattern (L1 and L2 for Data Matrix, 3 squares for QR Code)

Print Growth

  • Horizontal and vertical and average of both (informative)
  • New draft of ISO/IEC 15415 defines print growth as graded parameter

Version, Format, Error Correction level

  • Applies to QR Code only
  • Reporting of Symbology and decoded data
  • X-dimension (recognizing GS1 SST size range)
  • Data structure /syntax used (applies to GS1 DataMatrix, GS1 QR Code, QR Code, Data Matrix and GS1 DotCode)
    • Syntax used (e.g., GS1 element string, GS1 Digital Link URI)
    • Syntax structure compliance valid format of data in data field or correct GS1 Digital Link structure
    • Parses data into elements valid application identifier
  • Optional matching Human readable to code content
  • Matrix size (informal, GS1 doesn’t define matrix size limitations)

The basic approach of ISO/IEC 15415 applies.

  • Differences
  • Cell contrast replaces Symbol contrast
  • Cell modulation replaces Modulation and reflectance margin
  • Minimum reflectance, Indicates how much exposure is changed compared to the calibrated ISO/IEC 15415 exposure (the lower the value the more exposure deviates)
  • Threshold determination (will be aligned when new ISO/IEC 15415 version is published)
  • Grading in steps of 1/10 while ISO/IEC 15415 will introduce this with next version
  • The GS1 application specific criteria are identical to the ones listed in the ISO/IEC 15415

QR Codes with GS1 Digital Link syntax (QR Codes powered by GS1) serve two purposes. First and foremost they are 'a barcode'. That is, they can be recognised and processed by retail point of sale scanners (and other supply chain scanners). Secondly, they are an entry point for one or more online sources of information, typically accessed using a smartphone.

For this reason, solution partners offering connected data services and who include provision of the QR Code or Data Matrix itself as well as things like online experiences, data and marketing analytics, must first follow the criteria for barcode generation and printing. This is a critical factor that distinguishes QR Codes and Data Matrix barcodes with GS1 Digital Link syntax from other QR Codes. Many QR Codes that scan perfectly well with a smartphone will not meet these criteria.

  1. Does your solution follow the guidance documents referred to in Section 2?
  2. Do the QR Codes and Data Matrix that you create fulfil the criteria set out in section 3?

In addition, the following also apply.

This document, which is aimed at a technical audience, uses the term "QR Codes with GS1 Digital Link syntax". The less-technical term for use in marketing material is "QR Codes powered by GS1".

The GS1 General Specifications define the term "GS1 QR Code" to mean a QR Code with GS1 Element String syntax (this is consistent with the term GS1 DataMatrix). The use of GS1 QR Codes across industry is very limited but is not zero and therefore, at least for now, the term cannot be deprecated.

  • Do you use terms like "QR Codes powered by GS1" or "QR Codes with GS1 Digital Link" syntax and specifically do you not use the term "GS1 QR Codes"?

GS1's Best Practice guidance explains that the preferred internet domain name for any QR Code with Digital link syntax is the brand's own. Although use of the solution partner's domain name is not forbidden, solution partners should be able to create and manage GS1 Digital Link URIs on the brand's domain name. The best way to achieve this is for the brand to configure the DNS record for a subdomain of their domain name to point to the solution partner's IP address(es).

  • Do you create QR Codes (or data matrix symbols) with GS1 Digital Link syntax on the brand's own domain name?
  • Are you able to manage a subdomain of your client's domain name on their behalf through their DNS configuration?

The GS1 Digital Link URI must redirect to digital information about the item for the reasons set out in Redirection: from scan to content.

  • Does your solution redirect from the GS1 Digital Link URI encoded in the QR Code or data matrix to one or more URLs from which digital information about the item is provided?

The global migration to 2D barcodes is driven by many factors; consumer interaction is only one. An important business reason is the ability to include more than just the GTIN in the barcode. For example, batch/lot numbers, serial numbers, consumer product variants, expiry dates, production dates and more. The GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource is an open source, freely-licensed library that GS1 is committed to keeping up to date as new Application Identifiers are defined.

  • Are you able to construct GS1 Digital Link URIs with Application Identifiers beyond the simple GTIN according to the relevant standard?
  • Does your solution make use of the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource to achieve this?

Solution partners are not required to offer a GS1-Conformant resolver as there are other methods for connecting barcodes to relevant information. However, if a resolver is offered then:

  • Is your resolver conformant to the standard? This can be determined by use of the resolver test suite.
  • Do you recommend/encourage your clients to ask GS1 to redirect their GCPs from the GS1 Global Office resolver (id.gs1.org) to your service.

For help with any of the detail in this document, please contact the GS1 helpdesk.