Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes have the appearance of squares, or rectangles, that contain patterns of squares, hexagons, dots and other shapes to encode data. They may be used in a wide range of industries and for various purposes, from manufacturing and warehousing to logistics, retail and regulated sectors such as healthcare.
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. Reed-Solomon error correction allows data to be recovered from scanning a barcode that has up to a certain amount of (non-catastrophic) damage, or that is otherwise partially obscured.
Note: Data Matrix and QR Codes are not GS1 standards however any GS1 Application Identifier may be encoded using the GS1 Digital Link Syntax. GTIN only or GTIN plus additional attributes (based on your use case) may be encoded. Currently these barcodes are approved for use for retail POS, only in conjunction with a linear barcode until widespread recognition of 2D barcodes by POS scanners is achieved (Ambition 2027).
2D Program FAQsQR Code with GS1 Digital Link
These barcodes are multifunctional: containing information that can simultaneously power Point-of-Sale, whilst allowing the brand to have direct consumer contact via its website.
Currently it is approved for scanning at retail point-of-sale. In addition, when using this on a retail trade item, a linear barcode is still required until there is a widespread capability to scan 2D barcodes at Point-of-sale.
The QR Code itself is not a GS1 standard, so to make QR Codes interoperable within the GS1 system, they are encoded with a GS1 Digital Link URI that formats the encoded data as a web-enabled identifier. You can encode either a GTIN only, or a GTIN with additional attributes, based on your use case.
Examples of use: Pre-packed fresh produce
These barcodes are multifunctional: containing information that can simultaneously power Point-of-Sale or regulatory compliance, whilst connecting consumers to the web-based data curated by the brand.
As yet, they cannot be scanned by most native phone cameras but require an app to scan them. When using this on a retail trade item a linear barcode is also still required until there is a widespread capability to scan 2D barcodes at Point-of-sale.
The Data Matrix itself is not a GS1 standard, so to make Data Matrix barcodes interoperable within the GS1 system, they are encoded with a GS1 Digital Link URI that formats the encoded data as a web-enabled identifier. You can encode either a GTIN only, or a GTIN with additional attributes, based on your use case.
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 encode very detailed product information in a string of GS1 Application Identifiers.
GS1 DataMatrix has in-built error correction that allows barcodes that have a certain amount of (non-catastrophic) damage or that are otherwise partially obscured to still be scanned – making it reliable and secure.
GS1 DataMatrix in Healthcare
The GS1 Healthcare community recommends GS1 DataMatrix or linear GS1 barcodes (e.g. GS1-128) for product identification and traceability and accessing online information. QR codes shall not be used for product identification in healthcare and are acceptable only for providing electronic product information when the GS1 DataMatrix or linear GS1 barcode cannot be used for this purpose. Where necessary, they should only be used as secondary barcodes in addition to a GS1 DataMatrix or linear GS1 barcode.
GS1 Healthcare Position Paper - Statement on GS1 DataMatrix Implementation
GS1 DataMatrix Factsheet