Sunrise 2027 is an industry target and does not cause UPC barcodes to stop working. Separate EU Digital Product Passport rules and the FDA's FSMA 204 rule create legal obligations for specific categories. Neither rule mandates GS1 Digital Link specifically.
Existing inventory stays sellable. Add the 2D code at your next scheduled artwork revision.
A GS1 Digital Link is an ordinary HTTPS URL that a phone camera can open. Its GS1 syntax also lets a compatible point-of-sale system extract the GTIN from the same symbol.
You can, but you probably shouldn't. Two 2D codes on one pack compete for space and quiet zone, and can confuse scanners. A Digital Link with link types does what both codes did, from one symbol.
The scan fails until it is back. This is why resolver availability and monitoring matter more here than for a normal website, and why the domain should be one you can repoint. Ask any vendor what their uptime commitment is and what happens to printed codes if you stop paying.
Digital Link uses the GTINs you already have, so a brand with valid GTINs does not need a new company prefix for this change.
For retail POS, module size should be at least about 0.396mm, with 0.5mm a safer target. Multiply by the module count for total size. A typical Digital Link needs roughly 15 to 20mm square, plus the quiet zone.
Valid, unique GTINs; a Digital Link URL on a domain you control that resolves to something useful; a correctly sized symbol with its quiet zone intact; and a verified printed sample. Add other capabilities only when the operating workflow calls for them.
Run a free check for invalid GTINs, duplicates, and destination problems. An account is not required.
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