So what's happening?
GS1 are introducing Digital Link
GS1, the global body that governs and issues the barcodes used today, have created a new standard for '2D' barcodes (typically QR codes), with the ambition that these replace existing barcodes by 2027.
This change provides consumer product brand owners with major opportunities to use these '2D' barcodes for their advantage, particularly in the area of consumer engagement.
On-Pack QR Codes
On-pack QR codes for consumer products have been around for a while. Many brands have embraced the chance to connect consumers, via their smart phone cameras, to online brand information. It is the case though that, particular with smaller brands, this has not been done in the most effective way, because static QR codes have been used, whereas dynamic codes are far more powerful and flexible.
1CODED?
Ultimately one code - a 'GS1 powered' QR code, will sit on-pack to meet the needs of:
- In-store P.O.S. scanners
- Consumers
- A unique digital identity for each product on the web.
Our mission is to help smaller brands create, manage and fully exploit this one code: We are 1 CODED, and we provide GS1 Digital Link enabled dynamic QR codes.
GS1 Digital Link
GS1 has set a universal global standard for “2D” codes that will replace existing 1D barcodes and provide both retailers and consumers (along with other actors in the supply chain) with a single on-pack code to serve a multitude of different functions.
GS1 Digital Link means every physical product can be unambiguously identified on the web in the form of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI): A 'digital twin' for every consumer product is born.
Dynamic Consumer Engagement
Your physical products are your most important asset, and their packaging offers a significant, untapped, promotional opportunity. Dynamic QR code solutions foster richer consumer engagement and the opportunity to gain insights into consumer's preferences and behaviour.