GS1 Digital Link – From Barcode to Digital Identity

How 2D codes connect products with data

For over 50 years, the classic EAN/UPC barcode has powered the global retail and logistics ecosystem. But as industries move toward digitalization, transparency, and sustainability, the familiar black-and-white stripes can no longer carry the growing amount of information demanded by regulators, retailers, and consumers alike.

That’s why the future belongs to 2D codes. Under the GS1 standard, several symbologies — GS1 DataMatrix, GS1 QR Code, and GS1 DotCode — are now officially recognized for product identification. These formats can store far more data than a linear barcode while remaining compact and scannable at high speed.

To ensure global interoperability, GS1 compliance is key. It guarantees that every encoded element — such as the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), batch, expiry date, or serial number — follows standardized application identifiers that can be read by any GS1-capable scanner worldwide. Only codes created according to these rules qualify as GS1 2D codes, ensuring consistency across industries and countries.

Exhibitor Data Sheet