Have you adapted to the barcode reading regulations change?
With the introduction of the EU and UK Digital Product Passport (DPP) on July 18th 2024 introducing new GS1 standards, manufacturers will need to meet higher levels of barcode quality and traceability than ever before.
For many organisations, this shift has felt less like a gentle update and more like a compliance headache. But with the right preparation, and the right partner, it can also be an opportunity to strengthen quality systems and future-proof supply chains.
What's Changed?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is designed to give consumers, regulators and supply chains better information about the products they use. At the heart of this system are barcodes and 2D codes that carry far more data than today’s linear equivalents.
- Barcode quality standards have tightened – Codes must be printed and verified to ISO standards such as ISO/IEC 15416 and 15415.
- Consumer-facing barcodes must improve – Poorly printed or low-grade codes will no longer be acceptable, as they risk non-compliance.
- 2D codes are now the default – Digital Link-enabled QR codes will connect directly to regulated data sets, providing transparency on origin, composition and recyclability.
- Verification and reporting is mandatory – Organisations will need to prove, with data, that every code meets the required grade.
In short: the casual approach to barcoding is over.
Why this matters for manufacturers:
For operations leaders, the impact of these changes is significant:
- Greater compliance risk if codes fall below the new grade threshold.
- New hardware and software requirements to read and verify both 1D and 2D codes.
- Increased complexity when multiple code types, packaging materials and production lines are involved.
- Operational disruption if verification isn’t built into existing workflows.
Left unmanaged, these changes could lead to rejected shipments, regulatory penalties or costly recalls.
How Fisher Smith can help:
We specialise in building barcode verification systems that go beyond basic reading. Our solutions:
- Verify 1D and 2D codes to ISO standards: inline or offline, with full diagnostic grading.
- Combine verification with inspection: checking barcode quality alongside text, label placement and product features in a single system.
- Generate compliance-ready reports: audit trails for ISO and GS1 standards, EU/UK regulations, and pharmaceutical requirements.
- Integrate seamlessly: into existing production lines, with minimal disruption.
We’ve already delivered Europe’s largest barcode verification deployment, supporting a pharmaceutical client to meet strict ISO grading requirements. That same expertise is now helping other sectors get ready for the Digital Product Passport.
Next Steps for Manufacturers:
If your organisation relies on barcodes for traceability, compliance or consumer engagement, reduce the risk of non-compliance and act now.
Talk to us today about how Fisher Smith can help you prepare for the Digital Product Passport and the upcoming barcode regulation changes.
