GS1 2D code in consumer engagement

Together with food industry and retail trade companies, GS1 prepared a proposal how the GS1 2D code could be used when communicating products to consumers and thus facilitate consumers' access to product information. The common model of consumer engagement for GS1 2D code is the first step in introducing the new international GS1 2D code on the Finnish market.

GS1 together with a cooperation group of representatives from the food industry and retail trade companies prepared a proposal for the industry, how the new two-dimensional barcode, the QR Code powered by GS1, can be used to provide consumers with even more comprehensive information about products.

Utilizing the GS1 2D code in consumer engagement could be the first step to implement the code. The inclusion of other information, such as batch and date information in the code, causes larger process and system changes for companies, so their introduction would take place in the next step. The step-by-step proposal is based on GS1 2D code adoption definition project, where GS1 mapped the prerequisites and readiness of food industry and retail trade companies for the introduction of the GS1 2D code. Several companies in the industry, from market leaders to small product manufacturers, participated in the interviews. The report was completed in June 2023.

Publications

New guide! Using GS1 2D codes in consumer engagement

The GS1 2D code consumer engagement guide details how companies can go about using the GS1 2D code.

Tasks and objectives

The objective of the development project was to define a common data model for the utilization of the GS1 2D code and the GS1 Digital Link data content standard in digital consumer communication. The work is based on the solution models of global forerunners, and it also takes into account future legal obligations. In the first phase, the project and the resulting user guide focus on daily goods and packaging. With the help of the project's public outputs, companies can smoothly transition to piloting use cases in consumer communication that match their own goals.

The objective of the project was to determine a common model for the use of the GS1 2D code and the GS1 Digital Link data content standard in digital consumer engagement. The work was based on the solutions of global pioneers. As a result of the project, a digital guide was created for the industry to support future pilots and implementation of GS1 2D code and GS1 Digital Link in companies.