Compliance for 2D barcodes at Point of Sale (POS)
Updated | 18 November 2024
Ambition 2027 for Retail
There is a rapidly increasing demand for more information about the products we use and consumer. To meet this demand, industry has set a goal that, by the end of 2027, all retail point-of-sale (POS) systems should be capable of reading and processing a defined set of 2D barcodes with GS1 standards, in addition to existing linear barcodes.
As the transition to scanning of 2D barcodes with GS1 standards at POS unfolds progressively on different timelines across the globe, brand owners should already be exploring and implementing the most appropriate 2D barcode to address priority use cases for their products and meet critical consumer and business needs.
This information is provided by each scanner manufacturer based on the “2D capable” criteria.
As retailers transition to accepting 2D barcodes powered by GS1 at point-of-sale, this continually-updated table lists the readiness status of various scanner models from major manufacturers around the world.
What does it mean (technically) to say a scanner is fully 2D capable to meet the Ambition 2027?
Can recognise, decode and deliver information from all compliant retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition.
Can handle reversed reflectance (a.k.a. inverse video) as well as normal reflectance for all 3 types of retail 2D barcodes.
Results in less than 300 milliseconds for high-speed bioptic scanners, and under 500 milliseconds for presentation and an activated handheld device.
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.
Able to support Modes 1, 2 and 3. Refer to 7.5.2 2D in Retail scanning modes for more details.
TIP: Ensure alignment and consistency with GS1 standards by utilising the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource in developing 2D ready solutions.
This information is provided by each verifier manufacturer based on the “2D capable” criteria.
As retailers transition to accepting 2D barcodes powered by GS1 at point-of-sale, this continually-updated page lists the readiness status of various verifier models from major manufacturers around the world.
What does it mean (technically) to say a verifier is fully 2D capable to meet the Ambition 2027?
Can recognise, decode and deliver information from all compliant retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition
Has 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
Verification solution can be configured to GS1 Symbol Specification Table SST 1 or SST 3
Verification reports can support at a minimum for GS1 retail linear barcodes specified in 2D barcodes readiness criteria (Verifier)
Verification reports support at a minimum for GS1 retail 2D barcodes specified in 2D barcodes readiness criteria for verifiers
Download 2D barcodes readiness criteria for Verifiers
TIP: Ensure alignment and consistency with GS1 standards by utilising the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource in developing 2D ready solutions.
This information is provided by each printer manufacturer based on the “2D capable” criteria.
As retailers transition to accepting 2D barcodes with GS1 standards at point-of-sale, this continually-updated page lists the readiness status of various printer models from major manufacturers around the world.
What does it mean (technically) to say a printer is fully 2D capable to meet the Ambition 2027?
Can encode, generate and print a compliant ECC200 GS1 DataMatrix retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d2, the GS1 element string will start with a FCN1 and follow the syntax rules.
Can encode, generate and print a compliant ECC 200 Data Matrix retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d1, and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI rules.
Can encode, generate and print a compliant QR Code retail 2D barcode detailedin the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]Q1, and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI rules.
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.
GS1 DataMatrix encoded data structure SHALL use GS1 element string syntax and comply with the GS1 General Specifications application standards.
Data Matrix and QR Code encoded data structure SHALL use GS1 Digital Link URI syntax and comply with the GS1 Digital Link URI standard.
Download 2D barcodes readiness criteria for Printers
TIP: Ensure alignment and consistency with GS1 standards by utilising the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource in developing 2D ready solutions.
This information is provided by each barcode creation software developer based on the "2D capable" criteria.
As retailers transition to accepting 2D barcodes powered by GS1 at point-of-sale, this continually-updated page lists the readiness status of various barcode creation software versions from major developers around the world.
What does it mean (technically) to say a barcode creation software is fully 2D capable to meet the Ambition 2027?
Can encode, generate and send to user-defined printer, a compliant ECC200 GS1 DataMatrix retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d2, the GS1 element string will start with a FCN1 and follow the syntax rules.
Can encode, generate and send to user-defined printer, a compliant ECC 200 Data Matrix retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d1, and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI rules.
Can encode, generate and send to user-defined printer, a compliant QR Code retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]Q1, and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI rules.
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.
GS1 DataMatrix encoded data structure SHALL use GS1 element string syntax and comply with the GS1 General Specifications application standards.
Data Matrix and QR Code encoded data structure SHALL use GS1 Digital Link URI syntax and comply with the GS1 Digital Link URI standard.
Download 2D barcodes readiness criteria for Barcode Creation Software
TIP: Ensure alignment and consistency with GS1 standards by utilising the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource in developing 2D ready solutions.
POS Scanner
This information is provided by each scanner manufacturer based on the “2D capable” criteria.
As retailers transition to accepting 2D barcodes powered by GS1 at point-of-sale, this continually-updated table lists the readiness status of various scanner models from major manufacturers around the world.
What does it mean (technically) to say a scanner is fully 2D capable to meet the Ambition 2027?
Can recognise, decode and deliver information from all compliant retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition.
Can handle reversed reflectance (a.k.a. inverse video) as well as normal reflectance for all 3 types of retail 2D barcodes.
Results in less than 300 milliseconds for high-speed bioptic scanners, and under 500 milliseconds for presentation and an activated handheld device.
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.
Able to support Modes 1, 2 and 3. Refer to 7.5.2 2D in Retail scanning modes for more details.
TIP: Ensure alignment and consistency with GS1 standards by utilising the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource in developing 2D ready solutions.
Verifier
This information is provided by each verifier manufacturer based on the “2D capable” criteria.
As retailers transition to accepting 2D barcodes powered by GS1 at point-of-sale, this continually-updated page lists the readiness status of various verifier models from major manufacturers around the world.
What does it mean (technically) to say a verifier is fully 2D capable to meet the Ambition 2027?
Can recognise, decode and deliver information from all compliant retail 2D barcodes detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition
Has 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
Verification solution can be configured to GS1 Symbol Specification Table SST 1 or SST 3
Verification reports can support at a minimum for GS1 retail linear barcodes specified in 2D barcodes readiness criteria (Verifier)
Verification reports support at a minimum for GS1 retail 2D barcodes specified in 2D barcodes readiness criteria for verifiers
Download 2D barcodes readiness criteria for Verifiers
TIP: Ensure alignment and consistency with GS1 standards by utilising the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource in developing 2D ready solutions.
Printer
This information is provided by each printer manufacturer based on the “2D capable” criteria.
As retailers transition to accepting 2D barcodes with GS1 standards at point-of-sale, this continually-updated page lists the readiness status of various printer models from major manufacturers around the world.
What does it mean (technically) to say a printer is fully 2D capable to meet the Ambition 2027?
Can encode, generate and print a compliant ECC200 GS1 DataMatrix retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d2, the GS1 element string will start with a FCN1 and follow the syntax rules.
Can encode, generate and print a compliant ECC 200 Data Matrix retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d1, and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI rules.
Can encode, generate and print a compliant QR Code retail 2D barcode detailedin the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]Q1, and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI rules.
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.
GS1 DataMatrix encoded data structure SHALL use GS1 element string syntax and comply with the GS1 General Specifications application standards.
Data Matrix and QR Code encoded data structure SHALL use GS1 Digital Link URI syntax and comply with the GS1 Digital Link URI standard.
Download 2D barcodes readiness criteria for Printers
TIP: Ensure alignment and consistency with GS1 standards by utilising the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource in developing 2D ready solutions.
Barcode Creation
This information is provided by each barcode creation software developer based on the "2D capable" criteria.
As retailers transition to accepting 2D barcodes powered by GS1 at point-of-sale, this continually-updated page lists the readiness status of various barcode creation software versions from major developers around the world.
What does it mean (technically) to say a barcode creation software is fully 2D capable to meet the Ambition 2027?
Can encode, generate and send to user-defined printer, a compliant ECC200 GS1 DataMatrix retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d2, the GS1 element string will start with a FCN1 and follow the syntax rules.
Can encode, generate and send to user-defined printer, a compliant ECC 200 Data Matrix retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]d1, and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI rules.
Can encode, generate and send to user-defined printer, a compliant QR Code retail 2D barcode detailed in the latest GS1 General Specifications edition. The symbology identifier SHALL be ]Q1, and follow the GS1 Digital Link URI rules.
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.
GS1 DataMatrix encoded data structure SHALL use GS1 element string syntax and comply with the GS1 General Specifications application standards.
Data Matrix and QR Code encoded data structure SHALL use GS1 Digital Link URI syntax and comply with the GS1 Digital Link URI standard.
Download 2D barcodes readiness criteria for Barcode Creation Software
TIP: Ensure alignment and consistency with GS1 standards by utilising the GS1 Barcode Syntax Resource in developing 2D ready solutions.
Readiness Status Descriptions
Today: already available and just needs to be enabled
(Note: Equipment in the field may still need a software update. Please reach out to your solution provider for support with the latest updates.)
With Software Upgrade: available but solution needs to be updated with new software
In Development: manufacturer still developing the solution
Not Possible: no longer supported or just not capable of being upgraded
Are you a manufacturer or a solution provider preparing for 2D barcodes in retail?
Additional Information
Read our reports on global barcode scanner system testing conducted with the University of Memphis AIDC Lab. Discover how the results can guide suppliers and manufacturers on barcode placement and assist retailers and solution providers with upgrading scanner software.
- 2D barcode scanning Tier 3.2 results (Apr 2023)
- 2D barcode scanning Tier 3.1 results (Dec 2022)
- 2D barcode scanning Tier 2 results (July 2022)
- 2D barcode scanning Tier 1 results (May 2022)
- 2D barcode scanning test plan: Executive Summary (Sep 2021)
We can help you get started on 2D barcodes powered by GS1
*DISCLAIMER. The information on this page has been provided by the companies listed. For retailers that wish to evaluate their installed scanners for upgradeability, it is recommended that they work with their POS solution providers or system integrators to perform pilots before full-scale implementation. THIS WEB PAGE, DOCUMENT OR INFORMATION IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS. GS1 disclaims all liability for any damages arising from use or misuse of this information, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory damages, and including liability for infringement of any intellectual property rights, relating to use of information in or reliance upon this document. GS1 retains the right to make changes to this document at any time, without notice.
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