Why GS1 Digital Link?
Why GS1 Digital Link?
UPC has offered price lookup functionality for decades. However, this classic 1D barcode no longer meets today's growing demands for greater product information transparency, traceability, and authentication. To address these concerns, product manufacturers have started using multiple data carriers, such as UPC, Datamatrix, and QR codes, on a single item, each serving a specific purpose. Nevertheless, having too many codes on a product can be confusing and take up valuable space.
The industry is now transitioning to two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, such as QR codes, that can hold more information to overcome these challenges. The Global Standards Organization (GS1) has also developed a new specification called "GS1 Digital Link," which allows ISO-compliant QR codes to contain a wealth of information about a product, including its global trade identifying number (GTIN), batch/lot details, logistics, and marketing activation information. This improvement notably enhances the data stored in conventional 1D UPC barcodes that only possess a product's GTIN. The industry is taking an essential step towards greater transparency and accountability by enabling consumers to access more detailed information about the products they purchase.