GS1 Digital Link QR Code Solutions

Every product pack that leaves a production line in the UAE carries the information retailers, regulators, and consumers need: batch numbers, expiry dates, allergen details, and origin data. GS1 Digital Link puts it all behind a single QR code, scannable by anyone with a smartphone.

For food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical and personal care manufacturers across the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, this is a practical step towards meeting the GS1 Sunrise 2027 compliance deadline, and a requirement for exporting to markets in the United States and Europe where retailers are already moving to accept GS1 codes at checkout.

GS1 Digital Link is a global standard that embeds a product's GS1 identification number, such as its GTIN, into a QR code that resolves to online information.

Instead of printing separate barcodes for checkout, traceability and consumer engagement, a single GS1 Digital Link code handles all three, product identification, supply-chain data and digital content from one scan.

This standard is central to the global transition from traditional linear barcodes to QR codes at the retail point of sale, a shift already underway through the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative.

GS1 Sunrise 2027 is the global initiative setting the target date for retail point-of-sale systems worldwide to accept QR codes alongside traditional linear barcodes.

Major retail markets are already moving. In the United States, GS1 US is leading the transition with pilot programmes across grocery and retail chains. In Europe, retailers and regulators are aligning with the same timeline. After 2027, manufacturers that have adopted GS1 Digital Link will be able to use a single code on packaging for both checkout scanning and digital engagement.

For manufacturers in the UAE and across the Gulf that export to the US, Europe and other international markets, preparing ahead of the Sunrise 2027 deadline is not only about local readiness, but it is also about ensuring products meet the barcode requirements of destination markets and avoiding rejections or relabelling costs at the point of entry.

A GS1 Digital Link code carries structured product data and links to digital content at the same time. When scanned, it directs customers, retailers or supply-chain partners to the right information for that specific product.

Carry production data

Variable production information is embedded directly in the code during printing, including:

• Batch or lot number
• Best-before or expiry date
• Serial number
• Product weight or price
• Manufacturing facility information

A dairy manufacturer in Dubai, for example, can print a code on each yoghurt cup that links retailers to batch origin, expiry and recall information, without adding a second barcode to the packaging.

Connect to digital content

Each scan can open a branded, mobile-friendly landing page. Content can be updated at any time without changing the printed packaging artwork.

Possible content includes:

• Ingredients and allergen information
• Product origin and sustainability details
• Usage instructions and recipes
• Promotions and loyalty campaigns
• Product authentication and anti-counterfeiting
• Recall or safety notices
• E-commerce links
• Brand stories and videos

A personal care manufacturer exporting from the UAE to European retailers, for instance, can use the same printed code to show ingredient compliance information in the destination market's language.

GS1 Digital Link helps manufacturers make packaging more useful for both operations and customers, and supports the traceability expectations behind HACCP, BRCGS and IFS audits.

• Replace multiple printed codes with a single QR code that serves checkout, traceability and consumer engagement
• Improve batch-level traceability from production through to retail shelf
• Share clearer product and allergen information directly from the pack
• Support faster product recalls and expiry-date management
• Create a direct digital connection with consumers after purchase
• Prepare for the GS1 Sunrise 2027 retail compliance deadline
• Gain insight into how and where consumers engage with products across different markets

Food and beverage

Batch traceability, allergen transparency and recall management for manufacturers supplying supermarkets and food service operators across the Gulf and export markets.

Dairy and bakery

Short shelf-life products benefit from expiry-date visibility at the pack level, supporting HACCP and BRCGS audit requirements.

Meat, poultry and ready meals

Origin tracing, halal certification details and cold-chain compliance information accessible from a single scan.

Pharmaceuticals and healthcare

Serialised codes for product authentication, anti-counterfeiting and regulatory compliance across the UAE and export destinations.

Cosmetics and personal care

Ingredient transparency and multilingual product information for products exported to regulated markets in Europe and the US.

Retail and FMCG

Consumer engagement campaigns, loyalty programme integration and promotional content linked directly from the pack.

Industrial products and spare parts

Authentication, anti-counterfeiting and supply-chain visibility for components distributed across multiple markets.

Implementing GS1 Digital Link requires coding technology that can create, print and verify compliant codes during production. A complete solution typically covers four steps:

Create and manage codes

GS1-compliant codes are generated for each product, including dynamic or unique serialised codes. Codes are managed through software and can be adapted to product, market and campaign requirements.

Print on the production line

Codes can be pre-printed on packaging or printed inline during production using coding technologies such as thermal transfer overprinters, laser coders, continuous inkjet printers and print and apply labelling systems.

Verify every printed code

Vision and verification solutions check that each code is correctly printed, readable and GS1-compliant before the product leaves the line. This protects retailer acceptance and reduces coding errors that could cause rejections at goods-in.

Connect scans to digital content

A software platform links each code to a branded landing page where content can be managed and updated without changing the printed packaging.

In many cases, existing Markem-Imaje printing equipment on the line can support GS1 Digital Link codes without a full line change, an assessment of the current setup will confirm compatibility.

Al Thika Packaging LLC provides GS1 Digital Link implementation through Markem-Imaje coding, software and verification technology, supporting manufacturers across the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

The Al Thika Packaging team can help assess an existing packaging line, select suitable coding technology and introduce GS1 Digital Link into a production process, ahead of the Sunrise 2027 deadline.

Discover how a printed 2D barcode can connect packaging to traceability data, product information and customer engagement.

Contact Al Thika Packaging LLC to discuss a GS1 Digital Link solution for a production line in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and across the UAE.