GS1 UK: Driving Compliance and Innovation
For years, EU directives shaped the UK's consumer goods regulations. These laws aimed to ensure transparency, safety, fair competition, and sustainability.
Laws like the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) and the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation laid the groundwork for how businesses labelled, tracked, and marketed their products.
However, after Brexit, the UK decided to pursue a more independent path. While many EU-aligned rules stayed in place, the government began tweaking them to suit domestic needs and priorities better.
GS1 UK has been instrumental in helping businesses navigate these changes, ensuring they stay compliant with evolving laws while keeping operations running smoothly.
Looking ahead to 2027, they will also play a significant role in the global shift from 1D to 2D barcodes in the UK, improving product traceability, transparency, and digital integration across industries.
What is GS1 UK
GS1 UK is the UK chapter of GS1, a non-profit organisation that simplifies product identification and improves supply chain efficiency.
It provides businesses with standards and tools—like barcodes and traceability systems—that help them stay compliant and operate smoothly.
The organisation's journey began on April 27, 1976, when the Article Number Association (UK) Ltd (ANA) was officially registered at Companies House. Over the years, the need for digital integration led to key shifts:
- 1998 – A merger with the Electronic Commerce Association formed ecentre UK, marking their expansion into the digital commerce space.
- 2005—The name GS1 UK was adopted, connecting the UK chapter with the global GS1 system, which is now used by over 150 countries.
Today, this chapter supports a local community of over 60,000 businesses, offering guidance and technology solutions to meet regulatory requirements and ensure the efficient operation of supply chains.
Here are the chapter's location and contact details:
Address: Hasilwood House, 60 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AW, United Kingdom
Contact no: +44 20 7092 3500
Home page: http://www.gs1uk.org
Email: support@gs1uk.org
Collaborated campaigns
Here is a list of UK government campaigns in which the local GS1 organisation has been involved or has supported businesses in their implementation.
Scan4Safety
The GS1 chapter, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), played a critical role in the Scan4Safety initiative launched in 2017.
This initiative focuses on improving patient safety and care by using unique identifiers and UK barcodes to track medical devices, other products, and potentially even patients within hospitals.
By ensuring better traceability, Scan4Safety helps prevent errors and improves healthcare outcomes.
The "Exporting is GREAT" programme
As a strategic partner in the UK government's Exporting is GREAT campaign, They play a crucial role in helping UK businesses break into international markets.
One standout initiative they're involved in is "Made in the UK, Sold to the World." This campaign is all about helping British businesses expand globally by ensuring accurate product identification and seamless traceability.
Natasha's law
In response to Natasha's Law, which was fully implemented in 2021, They worked with food businesses to ensure compliance with allergen labelling regulations for Pre-Packed for Direct Sale (PPDS) food.
The law requires all PPDS food products to list ingredients, allergens, and any potential risks clearly and easily understood.
HSS legislation
The organisation supports businesses adapting to the HFSS (High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt) legislation, which took effect in October 2022.
The law restricts where HFSS products can be displayed in stores and limit promotional offers like "Buy One Get One Free" (BOGOF) in large retail settings..
They provided tools to help businesses correctly organise product data, making it easier to assess whether products fall under HFSS restrictions.
National Deposit Returns Scheme (DRS)
With a target launch in October 2027, the UK is set to roll out a nationwide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for PET, steel, and aluminium drink containers. Consumers will pay a deposit, redeemable upon return for recycling.
GS1 UK plays a key role by ensuring accurate container identification through barcodes and GTINs, supporting seamless integration from checkout to recycling. Their standardised data solutions help businesses comply and operate efficiently within the system.
While the GS1 chapter's involvement in various campaigns has been valuable, Sunrise 2027 represents a global initiative of unprecedented scale and significance.
Sunrise 2027: The shift to 2D barcodes
By 2027, it is expected that a significant number of retailers worldwide will have upgraded their systems to accept and process 2D barcodes, such as GS1 QR codes and Data Matrix codes, in addition to traditional 1D barcodes (EAN/UPC).
The long-term aim is to eventually replace 1D barcodes with 2D barcodes.
This shift isn't just about swapping barcodes—it's about boosting transparency, traceability, and digital integration across industries.
1D barcodes carry only a product's GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). In contrast, 2D barcodes can pack in a wealth of additional details, such as:
- Expiry dates for fresher inventory management
- Batch/lot numbers to improve recalls and quality control
- Sustainability details to meet growing consumer demand
- Product authenticity checks to combat counterfeiting
- Direct links for consumers to access product information instantly
This upgrade isn't optional—it's the next step in modernising retail and supply chains. As the UK's official GS1 standards body, they're working with businesses, retailers, and regulators to ensure a smooth transition by:
- Educating businesses on how to use 2D barcodes effectively
- Helping retailers update POS systems to scan both 1D and 2D barcodes
- Ensuring supply chains stay connected through standardisation
- Providing implementation guidelines to keep compliance simple
With Sunrise 2027 approaching, GS1 QR codes(QR codes powered by GS1) are poised to become a widely adopted technology for consumer goods, offering the potential to transform how to track, sell, and experience products.
This shift ties directly into the UK's push for transparency, sustainability, and better consumer engagement—all areas where QR codes powered by GS1 play a crucial role.
It also links to new regulations, like the DRS, where product identification needs to be precise and efficient.
How to implement GS1 QR Codes for your products
Obtain a GS1 membership
Choose a Membership Plan based on your needs, then provide business details and complete the online application.
- Single GTIN for small businesses.
- Company Prefix for multiple barcodes (ranges of 10, 100, 1,000+). This unique identifier lets you generate GTINs (Global Trade Item Number) for your products.
Create a GS1 digital link
A GS1 Link is a structured URL with a GTIN as its core identifier. Each is uniquely tied to a single GTIN, ensuring precise product identification.
It can also include additional details like a batch number or expiration date, structured using Application Identifiers (AIs). A complete list of these is available on the GS1 AI page.
Generate the QR code
Once you have your GS1 Link, next is generating the QR code.
You can:
A. Develop your own generator—if you have the resources and technical expertise. Or
B. Use third-party services—These GS1 QR code generators often have user-friendly interfaces, pre-built templates, and additional features. This is usually the quickest and simplest approach, especially for businesses without in-house development teams.
Print your QR code on product packaging
There are 7 key considerations for printing the QR code on your product packaging:
- Size – Big enough to scan easily, small enough not to mess with your design.
- Contrast – High contrast between the code and background ensures readability. Dark QR codes on light backgrounds work best.
- Placement – Keep it accessible and undamaged. Avoid folds, seams, or perforations. Think about how customers hold or see your product.
- Quiet Zone – Leave a clear space around the QR code so scanners don't get confused. GS1 has minimum size guidelines for this.
- Material – Glossy surfaces can cause glare, and textured ones can distort the pattern. Test different materials to find what works best.
- Print Quality – Consider the product's lifecycle. If it will be on shelves for a short time, there's no need for high-end print quality. However, ensure the QR code remains scannable with print techniques for long-term use or exposure to handling, moisture, or wear.
- Error Correction -Always choose high error correction (H) to keep QR codes scannable, even if scratched or smudged.
Low error correction (L): Minimum 8mm x 8mm (about a blueberry). Recovers 7% of lost data but fails easily with damage.
High error correction (H): Minimum 10mm x 10mm (about a 10p coin's inner circle). Recovers 30%, ensuring better reliability. It is the safest choice to prevent scanning issues for packaging exposed to friction, moisture, or handling.
Top UK companies that will benefit from Sunrise 2027
Here's a breakdown of key local UK companies that stand to gain the most, categorised by industry.
Food & beverage
Associated British Foods (ABF): A multinational food processing and retailing company. Products include grocery, sugar, ingredients, and agricultural businesses (e.g., Kingsmill bread, Twinings tea, Silver Spoon sugar)
Premier Foods: A food manufacturer. Products include branded and own-label grocery goods (e.g., Mr. Kipling cakes, Bisto gravy, Ambrosia desserts)
Cranswick plc: A producer specialising in pork, poultry, and other meat products. Products include fresh and cooked meats, sausages, and other prepared foods.
Finsbury Food Group: A manufacturer of cakes, bread, and other baked goods. Products include a range of branded and private-label cakes and bakery items.
Britvic: A soft drinks manufacturer. Products include branded and own-label carbonated drinks, juices, and other beverages (e.g., Robinsons squash, J2O, Tango)
Fevertree Drinks: A premium mixer company. Products include a range of tonic waters, ginger ales, and other mixers designed for spirits.
A.G. Barr: A Scottish soft drinks manufacturer. Its most well-known product is Irn-Bru. The company also produces various other beverages and a range of soft drinks under Barr's brand.
Personal care items
McBride plc: A manufacturer of private-label household cleaning and personal care products. Products include cleaning sprays, laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, shampoos, and shower gels. They primarily serve retailers with own-label products.
PZ Cussons: While a multinational company with a global presence, it has a significant UK base and influence over product development for several brands. Products include personal care (e.g., Imperial Leather, Carex) and household cleaning products.
Church & Dwight UK Ltd: While part of a larger US group, they have a substantial UK presence and likely have input into product variations for the UK market. Products include household cleaning and personal care items (e.g., Arm & Hammer).
Shaping the future of business and compliance
GS1 UK continues to be a driving force in helping UK businesses adapt to regulatory changes, improve supply chain efficiency, and embrace the future of product identification.
From supporting major government initiatives like Scan4Safety and Natasha's Law to preparing businesses for Sunrise 2027 and the transition to 2D barcodes, their role is pivotal in ensuring compliance, traceability, and digital integration.
As the retail landscape evolves, GS1 provides businesses with the standards and tools to stay competitive and future-ready.
Their expertise remains invaluable, whether enhancing consumer engagement through GS1 QR codes, ensuring seamless international trade, or simplifying compliance with new laws.
In an increasingly data-driven world, companies looking ahead should consider how GS1 solutions can streamline operations and improve product transparency.
