Updated: 6-10-2025
Barcodes are used to track, identify, and manage products across industries. From grocery stores to warehouses, these codes help move goods efficiently and accurately. In bulk and produce packaging, barcodes are essential tools for traceability and inventory control.
What Is a Barcode?
A barcode is a visual code made of lines and spaces that represent numbers. These numbers link to product information stored in a database. The most common type in the U.S. is the UPC (Universal Product Code), which contains 12 digits.
Each UPC includes:
- Country code
- Company prefix
- Product number
- Check digit (used to verify accuracy)
Barcodes are standardized by GS1, a global organization that manages barcode rules and assigns company prefixes.
The GS1
GS1 is a global non-profit based in Brussels, Belgium. It develops and maintains the standards that barcodes are built on. GS1 also manages the barcode database—no small task, considering there are over 100 million barcodes in the system.
GS1 assigns codes and prefixes to registered companies. Each 12-digit barcode includes a country code, company ID, and unique product number. This structure allows machines to quickly identify products and their source.
How Barcodes Work
Scanners read the pattern of bars and spaces, converting them into numbers. These numbers are matched to product records in a database.
A standard UPC barcode has:
- 3 guard bars (start, middle, end)
- 84 data bars (product information)
- A total of 95 bars
The left and right sides of the barcode are encoded differently. This helps scanners read the code correctly, even if it’s upside down.
What Information Can You Pull from a Barcode?
Barcodes can store a wide range of product data. A basic 1D barcode like a UPC, typically links to:
- Product name
- Price
- Weight
- Manufacturer’s name
- Product category
More advanced 2D barcodes (like QR codes or Data Matrix) can store additional data directly in the code, including:
- Date of manufacture
- Expiration date
- Batch or lot number
- Country of origin
- Web links for product info or traceability
Why Barcodes Matter in Packaging
In packaging, barcodes are used to:
- Track inventory
- Identify products
- Manage shipping and receiving
- Support product recalls
For example, Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) often include barcodes on packing slips. These codes help identify the contents, destination, and delivery status.
Explore FIBC solutions here for your bulk packaging needs.
Preparing for the Future: GS1 Sunrise 2027
The barcode system is evolving. By 2027, GS1 plans to transition from traditional 1D barcodes (like UPCs) to 2D barcodes, such as QR codes and Data Matrix codes. This global initiative is known as GS1 Sunrise 2027.
Unlike 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes can store more data, including:
- Expiration dates
- Batch numbers
- Web links
- Product origin
This shift affects any retail packaging scanned at checkout. By the end of 2027, point-of-sale (POS) systems will need to read both 1D and 2D barcodes. The same goes for point-of-care (POC) systems in healthcare.
The transition is already in motion, with 2D barcodes being tested in 48 countries, covering 88% of the global GDP. The goal is better traceability, safety, and efficiency across supply chains.
Explore the shift to 2D barcodes and how to prepare for 2027 here.
What to Do Next
To get ready for GS1 Sunrise 2027:
- Upgrade barcode printers and scanners
- Train staff on 2D barcode use
- Coordinate with suppliers to update packaging
Click here to chat live with a packaging expert about upgrading your barcode system.
Talk to Your Distributor
So, what’s this got to do with FIBCs?
Even though barcodes aren’t printed directly on bulk bags, they’re a big part of how many teams track and manage products, from the field to the shelf. Whether on a packing slip or a pallet label, barcodes help keep things moving smoothly.
If you're thinking about how barcodes fit into your process, or want to bounce around some ideas, start a live chat or reach out here to connect with a packaging specialist today.
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