GS1 Australia: Transparency and Sustainability in Focus

Australia has worked hard for the past decade to lead in sustainable practices. A myriad of laws, initiatives, and programs have been introduced, with more still to come—all aimed at tackling climate challenges. 

But sustainability isn't just about policies; execution matters. One major hurdle is the complexity of supply chains.

Tracking a product’s environmental impact across global networks isn’t just difficult—it’s a logistical nightmare without the right systems in place. Transparency suffers. Sustainability goals get buried in inefficiencies.

GS1 Australia steps in with the solution. They’re not just about product identification but about building smarter, more visible supply chains. 

Through global standards and digital traceability, they help businesses improve visibility, reduce waste, and create more accountable operations. 

What is GS1 Australia?

GS1 Australia is part of the global GS1 network, a standards organisation that enables businesses to communicate seamlessly across industries with a common set of rules. The goal? Make supply chains more efficient and transparent, no matter where a company operates.

The history of GS1 Australia started in 1978 when it was formerly known as the Australian Product Numbering Association (APNA). They introduced barcodes to Australian businesses and revolutionised inventory management. 

Fast forward to 1993, when APNA rebranded as EAN Australia, reflecting a growing connection to global supply chain practices. 

In 2005, the organisation officially became GS1 Australia, unifying under the global GS1 system that has become the backbone of supply chain solutions worldwide.

Today, GS1 Australia offers a range of solutions, including:

Barcodes: Allow businesses to track products across the supply chain, from manufacturing to point of sale, reducing errors, saving time, and improving inventory control. They also give consumers easy access to product information, boosting the public’s trust.

Supply Chain Solutions: Provide tools and guidance to enable optimal data exchange, improve collaboration, reduce waste, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Here are the chapter's location and contact details:

Address: 8 Nexus Court, Mulgrave, VIC 3170, Australia

Contact no: +61 3 9558 9559

Home page: https://www.gs1au.org

Email: gs1aust@gs1au.org

Helping Australian businesses through these programs and initiatives

GS1 Australia is a key player in supporting businesses as they navigate a variety of national sustainability initiatives. 

Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL)

CoOL is mandatory for most packaged food products in Australia. Businesses must clearly state where the food was grown, produced, made, or packed. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces these regulations. 

The Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016 was enacted on 1 July 2016. Businesses were given two years to update their labels. Full compliance was required by 1 July 2018. 

GS1 Australia's National Product Catalogue (NPC) helps businesses stay on top of CoOL requirements by providing a platform to store and share product information, including country of origin, ensuring accuracy and consistency in labelling.

National framework for recycled content traceability

This voluntary framework supports businesses of all sizes in tracking recycled materials and content in Australia. It applies to all recycled materials and products, allowing businesses to choose the best way to trace them. 

GS1 Australia contributes by offering businesses the standards and tools to verify their sustainability claims, improve transparency, and help consumers make informed choices.

Australia’s National Packaging Targets

Introduced in 2018, the National Packaging Targets set clear goals for sustainable packaging, aligning with global best practices. 

These targets, backed by Federal and State Governments, aim to reduce packaging waste, improve recycling rates, and make packaging more eco-friendly. 

Businesses that meet these targets will meet consumer expectations and avoid penalties for failing to reduce waste. 

GS1 Australia assists businesses in reaching these targets by providing standards and tools to improve data sharing and visibility across the packaging supply chain, supporting sustainable packaging practices.

These initiatives mark significant progress, but the global shift in 2027 will take product identification and traceability to an entirely new level.

The global shift in barcode labeling

Sunrise 2027 is about moving from the traditional 1D to 2D barcodes like QR and DataMatrix codes. Initially, both will work in tandem, allowing businesses time to adapt, but the 2D barcodes will eventually replace 1D barcodes altogether. 

This change aims to improve product transparency, traceability, and safety by allowing more data to be encoded, making it easier to track products across the entire supply chain.

With 2D barcodes, businesses can store and share more detailed information, making inventory management more efficient and reducing errors. 

By 2027, all businesses in manufacturing, retail, and distribution will need to adopt this new standard. 

A standard that aligns perfectly with GS1's mission to create a consistent, global system for identifying and tracking products. It moves towards better business practices and a more engaging consumer experience.

For most consumer products, the QR Code will be the most commonly used type of 2D barcode.

Why change from EAN/UPC to GS1 QR codes?

For decades, the UPC barcode has been the backbone of retail, allowing quick product scans at checkout. However, as businesses and consumers demand more information, the limitations of 1D barcode labels become clear. Then came GS1 QR Codes—designed to do everything a UPC does and more.

Unlike traditional barcodes, QR Codes can store more data, including batch numbers, expiration dates, and links to real-time product details. 

This change opens the door to improved traceability, better recall management, and richer consumer engagement. Retailers can streamline inventory management while shoppers get instant access to product origins, allergens, and sustainability credentials—all with a single scan.

However, GS1 Australia does not provide QR code generators. Businesses must either develop their solutions or use third-party services to generate GS1-compliant QR Codes.

Why use a third-party QR code generator?

Using a third-party GS1 QR code generator can offer several advantages:

Faster Implementation: Third-party providers offer ready-to-use tools, saving businesses the hassle of developing their QR code generation systems from scratch.

GS1 Compliance: Reputable providers ensure that every QR code follows GS1 standards, reducing the risk of scanning errors or retailer rejections.

More Than Just a Code: Many services offer advanced features like dynamic QR codes, branded designs, and scan analytics, helping businesses engage consumers while tracking performance.

Handles High Volumes: Businesses managing thousands of products benefit from automated QR code generation, making large-scale implementation more manageable.

Seamless Integration: Many third-party solutions work with inventory, POS, and marketing platforms, ensuring that the QR codes fit smoothly into existing business operations.

Top local companies that would benefit from Sunrise 2027

Australia’s retail and manufacturing sectors are evolving, with businesses looking for better ways to manage inventory, track sustainability efforts, and improve customer engagement. 

GS1 QR Codes offer a structured data-sharing approach, enabling supply chain distribution transparency. Below are key companies that could significantly benefit from their adoption.

Retail (Private labels)

Coles – One of Australia’s largest supermarket chains, managing various private-label brands across food, personal care, and home essentials. 

Myer – A leading department store retailer with an extensive range of fashion and home brands.

Beverages

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) – The wine company is advancing its sustainability efforts, aiming for 100% renewable electricity by 2024. It has also adopted new packaging innovations and digital tracking solutions, which the QR Codes could complement for product authenticity and consumer engagement​

Coca-Cola Amatil – A major beverage distributor that would benefit from QR Codes for tracking product origins and supporting recycling initiatives.

Personal care

Aesop – A premium skincare brand known for its ethical sourcing and sustainability efforts.

Sukin – An Australian natural skincare brand focusing on environmentally friendly packaging and ingredients.

Natio – A local cosmetics and skincare company blending botanical ingredients with modern skincare science.

Pre-packaged food

Arnott’s – One of the country’s largest snack food companies, managing complex supply chains for biscuits and other products.

SPC – A key player in packaged fruits and vegetables, with traceability needs that align well with GS1 standards.

Bega Cheese – The dairy company oversees multiple brands and would benefit from better tracking of ingredients and nutritional transparency.

San Remo – A major pasta manufacturer that could use the QR Codes for origin tracing and recipe integration.

A trusted partner for Australian businesses

With new programs and regulations constantly shaping the business landscape, GS1 Australia has supported businesses since 1978 and provides the tools they need to adapt and thrive.

Armed with globally recognised standards, data-sharing solutions, and industry expertise, they help businesses improve traceability, compliance, and efficiency.

Whether meeting labelling laws, tracking recycled content, or preparing for Sunrise 2027, GS1 remains a key ally in ensuring businesses stay competitive in an evolving marketplace.

DISCLAIMER: We acknowledge that GS1, as well as the materials, proprietary items, and all related patents, copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property (collectively, “intellectual property”) relating to its use, are the property of GS1 Global, and that our use of the same shall be in accordance with the conditions provided by GS1 Global.