中文If you’re a folding carton converter and you haven’t started thinking about 2D barcodes, you’re already behind. That’s not hype — it’s a deadline. October 2027 is when retailers around the world are expected to have their systems upgraded to read data-rich 2D codes at point of sale, and the transition is moving faster than most people realize.
GS1 Sunrise 2027 isn’t some distant policy discussion. Pilots are already running in 48 countries representing 88% of global GDP. In the UK, Tesco has already started placing 2D QR codes on products ranging from fresh sausages to garden plants. This is happening now.
What Sunrise 2027 Actually Means
The shift from linear barcodes to 2D codes isn’t just about scanning speed. A traditional barcode holds maybe 20 characters. A 2D barcode — whether it’s a QR code, Data Matrix, or DotCode — can carry hundreds of characters: batch numbers, expiry dates, serial numbers, sustainability claims, product provenance, and more.
For retailers, this means better traceability, fewer counterfeit products, and richer data at every scan. For consumers, it means scanning a product and instantly seeing where it was made, what’s in it, and whether it’s authentic. For converters, it means every carton they produce needs to reliably print, verify, and track these codes.
The Readiness Benchmark
Jet Tech Group and Fujifilm UK have launched the UK Folding Carton Digital Readiness Benchmark 2026 — the first independent industry benchmark designed to help converters figure out where they stand.
Steve Andrew, managing director at Jet Tech Group, puts it plainly: “The move to 2D codes is more than a compliance milestone. It is reshaping how folding cartons are produced. Many converters are still working out what this means operationally and commercially.”
The Benchmark gives participants a confidential comparison against anonymized peer data — basically, a way to see if you’re keeping up with your competitors without anyone knowing your numbers. Results will be revealed at The Next Frontier event on July 14 at the Fujifilm Innovation Centre in Luton.
The Operational Challenge
Here’s what converters are actually wrestling with: printing 2D codes reliably on every carton isn’t the same as running a linear barcode. Variable data workflows need to be bulletproof. Print quality verification has to catch tiny defects that would make a code unreadable. Production tracking needs to link every printed code to a database for traceability.
If your digital production infrastructure isn’t ready, you can’t just bolt 2D codes onto an analog workflow and hope it works. The Benchmark exists because too many converters are trying to figure this out alone, and the October 2027 deadline doesn’t care about your learning curve.
Why You Should Care Now
The transition to 2D codes isn’t optional — it’s inevitable. Retailers are moving first. Brand owners are designing packaging around it. Governments are using it for food safety and anti-counterfeiting. Converters who wait will find themselves unable to meet client specifications, while those who prepare early will win contracts that demand 2D capability.
Participate in the Benchmark. Find out where you stand. Start planning your digital workflow upgrade. Because when October 2027 arrives, “we’re still figuring it out” won’t be an answer your customers will accept.
Source: Printweek
