Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes look like squares or rectangles that contain patterns of squares, hexagons, dots and other shapes to encode data.
A single 2D barcode can hold a significant amount of information and may remain legible even when printed at a small size or etched onto a product. 2D barcodes are used in a wide range of industries, from grocery, manufacturing and warehousing to logistics and healthcare.
2D Program FAQsQR Code with GS1 Digital Link
These barcodes are multifunctional: they contain valuable information that simultaneously powers POS and many other business processes, while also can connect consumers to the website of choice for the brand. It can be scanned by native phone cameras. When using this on a retail trade item a linear barcode is also still required till there is a pervasive adoption to scan 2D barcodes at POS.
QR Codes can accept any alphanumeric character. To make these barcodes interoperable within a GS1 system, they can use the GS1 Digital Link URI syntax to format their information as a web-enabled identifier.
Examples of use: Pre-packed fresh produce
These barcodes are multifunctional: they contain valuable information that can simultaneously power Point-of-sale and many other business processes, while also connecting consumers to the website of choice for the brand. It cannot be scanned by most native phone cameras but requires an app to scan them. When using this on a retail trade item a linear barcode is also still required until there is a pervasive adoption to scan 2D barcodes at Point-of-sale.
Data Matrix barcodes can accept any alphanumeric character. To make these barcodes interoperable within a GS1 system, they can use the GS1 Digital Link URI syntax to format their information as a web-enabled identifier.
Native Data Matrix are not part of GS1 standard but when using the GS1 Digital Link URI syntax it can encode all application identifiers. Currently it is approved for use for retail POS (in conjunction with a linear barcode). You can encode GTIN only or GTIN plus additional attributes based on your use case.
GS1 Digital Link URI syntax factsheet
Syntaxes for GS1 2D Barcodes factsheet
GS1 DataMatrix
GS1 DataMatrix is a two-dimensional barcode and is a subset of ISO/IEC DataMatrix version ECC 200, the only version that supports GS1 system data structures. They can be either square or rectangular in shape. When using this on a retail trade item a linear barcode is also still required until there is a pervasive adoption to scan 2D Barcodes at POS.
The GS1 DataMatrix is a specialised form of the Data Matrix barcode, formatted to use GS1 element string syntax to encode GS1 identification keys and data attributes as Application Identifiers.
Examples of use: surgical instruments, rail parts, logistics labels
With the ability to capture up to 2,335 characters, GS1 DataMatrix is used to identify very detailed product information.
GS1 DataMatrix has in-built error correction, to compensate for lost or missing data, or damage to the barcode – making it very accurate and secure.
This barcode is made up of a string of GS1 Application Identifiers.
The GS1 Healthcare community recommends GS1 DataMatrix or linear GS1 barcodes for product identification and traceability and accessing online information. QR codes shall not be used for product identification in healthcare. They are acceptable for providing electronic product information when the GS1 DataMatrix or linear GS1 barcode can’t be used, but should be used only as secondary barcodes, preferably in addition to GS1 DataMatrix or linear GS1 barcodes to avoid confusion, especially in healthcare settings.
GS1 Healthcare Position Statement on GS1 DataMatrix Implementation