Glossary

GS1 Digital Link & 2D Barcode Glossary

Ten terms that come up in every 2D barcode and Digital Product Passport conversation. Each one linked to a deeper explainer.

GS1 Digital Link Web URI syntax that wraps a GTIN inside a real URL: The published GS1 specification that lets a 2D barcode on pack carry both retail point-of-sale identity and a real consumer-facing URL. Format: https://<host>/01/<gtin>
GTIN Global Trade Item Number: The universal product identifier GS1 allocates so retailers can scan items at point-of-sale anywhere in the world. Comes in four lengths: GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13, GTIN-14.
Mod-10 check digit Self-validation digit at the end of a GTIN: Algorithm that protects GTINs from single-digit transcription errors. Sum weighted digits, modulo 10, subtract from 10. Last digit must equal that value.
Sunrise 2027 Industry-wide goal that retail point-of-sale reads 2D barcodes by end of 2027: GS1 working group alignment, not a regulation. Most large grocery, drug and CPG channels are running pilots in 2025 and 2026 and scaling through 2027.
ESPR EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation: Framework regulation that introduces Digital Product Passports for in-scope categories sold in the EU. Specific obligations roll out per-category through delegated acts.
Digital Product Passport Public, structured product page addressable by a 2D barcode: EU framework deliverable under ESPR. Carries identity, materials, durability, repair, recycling, supply chain and end-of-life data. Addressable by GS1 Digital Link URL.
FSMA 204 FDA Food Traceability Final Rule: US regulation requiring brands handling foods on the FTL to maintain Key Data Elements at six Critical Tracking Events. Compliance date 20 January 2026.
EUDR EU Deforestation Regulation: Requires origin and tier-1 supplier evidence for forest-risk commodities like coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soy, beef, rubber and wood imported into the EU.
Application Identifier (AI) GS1 prefix that defines what a number means: Two- to four-digit prefixes that label data inside a barcode or Digital Link URL. AI 01 is GTIN, AI 10 is batch, AI 21 is serial number.
Resolver Service that resolves a GS1 Digital Link URL to its target page: When a phone scans a Digital Link URL, the resolver decides what to show: the public passport, a recall page, batch-specific data, or a regional redirect.

GS1 Digital Link & 2D Barcode Glossary

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