How to Ensure Accurate Distribution in the GS1 QR Code Supply Chain

Today's globalized and dynamic economy requires businesses to be innovative. With supply chains becoming increasingly complex and generating more information than ever, tracking every detail is critical to avoid disruptions.

Imagine tracking parts, materials, and products as they make their way through the supply chain to identify bottlenecks—that's where the GS1 QR Code for supply chains shines. 

It’s a significant step above typical barcodes because it uses the globally recognized GS1 standard. When combined with an excellent QR code generator, brands of all sizes in all sectors can become much more efficient and profitable.

With the announcement of the Sunrise 2027 program, the QR code will replace the barcode within a few years, which is excellent news for businesses and customers alike. 

So, let's explore GS1 QR Codes and understand how they help businesses improve their supply chain management. 

Table of Contents

1. How to Ensure Accurate Distribution in the GS1 QR Code Supply Chain
2. What Are GS1 QR Codes? 
3. The Importance of GS1 QR Code for Supply Chain Accuracy
   • Real-time Inventory Management with GS1 Barcode
   • Better Product Traceability and Recall Efficiency with GS1 QR Codes
   • Preventing Product Counterfeiting with GS1 QR Code for Supply Chains
   • Improved Safety  
   • Robust Collaboration and Decision-Making 
   • Interoperability and Global Standardization with GS1 QR Code for Supply Chain  
4. How to Start Creating QR Codes with a QR Code Generator 
5. Start an Efficient Supply Chain Operation With QR Tiger  

What Are GS1 QR Codes? 

GS1 QR codes are a combination of traditional barcodes with the capabilities of QR codes to help businesses enjoy enhanced supply chains and improved customer care. GS1 is the abbreviation for Global Standards 1, a non-profit that created the original barcode you see everywhere around you. Its job as an organization is to create and optimize global barcode standards.

In 2023, QR code creation increased by 43% and is expected to grow even further as people adopt GS1 QR codes. 

Traditional barcodes are limited to storing a simple string of numbers. On the contrary, the GS1 digital link QR code barcode can store multiple types of information, such as expiration dates, batch numbers, product identifiers (like GTIN/EAN), URLs, and much more.

Given their flexibility and capability to store comprehensive product information, GS1 is being adopted globally at a rapid pace. 

The Importance of GS1 QR Code for Supply Chain Accuracy

Supply chains today are more complex than ever. They involve multiple stakeholders and extend across borders, which makes transparency and efficiency even more crucial. GS1 QR codes for logistics and supply chains can address these complex challenges with their standardized approach to product tracking. 

Let's discuss how GS1 improved supply chain distribution. 

Real-time Inventory Management with GS1 Barcode

Inventory management has changed significantly over the last few years. Traditional methods like counting and paper-based records are error-prone and insufficient to manage extensive inventories.

No matter what stage of the supply chain a company is at, GS1 QR Codes for supply chain management provide real-time data on product quantity and location. 

With this data, businesses can forecast demand much more accurately, enabling them to have adequate stock levels.

It automatically reduces the risk of stockouts, one of the biggest reasons behind customer dissatisfaction and it also helps to avoid overstocking, which leads to capital wastage and obsolescence. 

Better Product Traceability and Recall Efficiency with GS1 QR Codes

Detailed product tracking allows businesses to learn the exact location of products in case of a recall. It ensures companies can quickly claim them back, minimizing the risk of faulty products reaching more customers.

Ultimately, it boosts customer confidence by assuring a business can promptly and accurately address product safety concerns.

Preventing Product Counterfeiting with GS1 QR Code for Supply Chains

GS1 QR can encode unique identifiers for each product or item. Through a simple scan, consumers and authorized personnel can verify the product’s authenticity and origin. It prevents counterfeiting and helps identify counterfeit products already in circulation.

Swift QR code scans at various checkpoints provide valuable data to track product movement. As a result, any product diversion from intended sales channels is identified and rectified promptly. 

For instance, a pharmaceutical company can track the location of its drugs at each stage until they reach the certified distributors. It ensures that counterfeit drugs are kept off the shelves and do not reach customers. 

Improved Safety  

As GS1 2D barcodes for supply chains can store significant information, they can provide consumers and other stakeholders with crucial details on product safety, handling, and disposal. Companies can use this feature to improve their product management by reducing risk and boosting overall security. 

Take the example of an automotive company. It sells several parts, some of which could contain hazardous materials, such as brake pads with asbestos. GS1 QR codes can inform users about installing, using, and disposing of these parts. 

Robust Collaboration and Decision-Making 

GS1 QR Codes improve collaboration and decision-making for all stakeholders in a supply chain. 

Cross-Functional Communication 

A supply chain should operate like a well-oiled machine, ensuring effective communication between manufacturers, suppliers, logistical companies, and retailers. GS1 QR codes offer an excellent platform for sharing real-time information and enable all parties in the supply chain to stay aligned and make well-informed decisions. 

For example, a toy company can use the GS1 barcode to inform other stakeholders about production schedules, inventory levels, and shipping timelines. This helps reduce lead times and prevent stockouts. 

Strategic Decision-Making 

As part of a complex supply chain, manufacturers often have to make decisions after getting input from various stakeholders. They also require access to the latest and most accurate information. Given real-time data such as inventory levels and shipment tracking, supply chain professionals have everything they need to make informed decisions. 

Interoperability and Global Standardization with GS1 QR Code for Supply Chain  

By embracing GS1 QR codes, companies can unlock several benefits, such as efficiency and interoperability. These QR codes create a universal supply chain language that helps businesses navigate the ever-expanding and complex world of global markets.

Cross-Border Commerce 

With globalization, businesses selling across borders have become the norm, communicating with their partners across the world and exchanging valuable information. 

Digital link QR codes, built using the universal standard GS1, provide a globally recognized supply chain language to various stakeholders to enable seamless information exchange.

For example, a fast-fashion brand operating entirely online can easily embed product information, shipping details, and customs documentation in the GS1 QR digital links and share them with multiple stakeholders. This minimizes the risk of delays and disruption. 

Data Integration 

Because businesses share a significant amount of information with stakeholders, a standardized format is crucial to maintain accuracy. Add the number of certifications businesses need for cross-border commerce, and the need for this standardization becomes even more apparent.  The work of CIRPASS in Europe regarding the Digital Product Passport in electronics, textiles, and battery value chains shows how these systems play out.

Standardization aims to share data across various systems and partners seamlessly. For example, an electronics retailer can collect data from multiple manufacturers and suppliers and embed it in GS1 QR digital links to simplify and standardize product information management. 

Regulatory Compliance 

As more and more businesses enter cross-border supply chains, they face increasing scrutiny from regulators. In the wake of this scrutiny, they must comply with all the rules and regulations imposed by cross-border authorities to continue without disruptions. 

The brilliance of the GS1 QR code for logistics and its digital links lies in the fact that businesses get a standardized and traceable method of sharing supply chain data with regulators.

The EU Digital Product Passport mentioned before works on the same principle, and regulators worldwide are launching similar programs to ensure compliance. 

Building a Circular Supply Chain 

The linear supply chain model, where products move in one direction from manufacturers to consumers, is a hotbed of wastage and inefficiencies. On the contrary, the circular model maximizes resource usage through repurposing and reusing, minimizing waste.

GS1 QR Codes for supply chains enable businesses to track and trace products throughout their life cycle to establish circular supply chain models. Here are a few initiatives businesses take to bolster circular supply chains:

• Embed usage and end-of-life information in the GS QR codes to encourage responsible consumption and disposal. For instance, electronic companies can provide information on recycling and disposal programs for their devices. Doing that reduces environmental waste and promotes responsible behavior. 
• Digital link GS1 QR codes also help manage and track returned products and enable resource recovery. An electronics retailer can track damaged and returned gadgets to refurbish and recycle them. It allows the same retailer to resell these pre-loved products at a discounted rate, which is a win-win situation for businesses and customers. 

Sustainable Supply Chains 

Digital link GS1 QR codes enable businesses to make informed decisions by providing critical information about suppliers, such as their environmental and social practices. For instance, a coffee supplier can provide information about its sources and fair trade practices to conduct its business. This ensures companies adhere to ethical principles while enabling traceability in the supply chain for customers and regulators. 

The same concept extends to a company's labor practices. For example, a fashion brand can use GS1 QR code digital links to provide information regarding working conditions and wages in its manufacturing facilities. 

How to Start Creating QR Codes with a QR Code Generator 

Here’s how you can start generating your own QR codes:

• Go to QR TIGER QR Code Generator online
• Click the avatar icon at the top right. This opens two options: Register and Login. Click ‘Register’ to create a new account. 
• Create an account directly with a Google account or complete the registration form with accurate details. 
• Once you’re finished, click the green 'Register' button at the bottom. 

QR TIGER allows you to create 3,000 customized QR codes in a single batch. Sign up for the QR TIGER Enterprise program if you’re a larger organization that needs to go even higher than that. This program allows businesses to add several users and generate thousands of QR codes within seconds. 

Start an Efficient Supply Chain Operation With QR TIGER  

After the announcement of Sunrise 2027, it’s clear that t GS1 QR Codes for supply chains are the future. Starting in 2027, all retail industries will switch to 2D barcodes because they’re an excellent way of creating efficient and accurate supply chains, as they store large amounts of data. 

From inventory management to logistics optimization, QR Tiger can work as a catalyst to improve your supply chain efficiency and provide more value to your customers. It’s a feature-packed GS1 QR code generator equipped for your needs. 

This strategic move steps forward into a more interconnected future.

Want to embrace this transition? Try QR TIGER's advanced QR code generator and take the lead in a new, tech-savvy era. 

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.