Markem-Imaje's New SaaS Platform Accelerates GS1 Digital Link Adoption for Ethical Transparency
In a significant step toward the GS1 Sunrise 2027 mandate, Markem-Imaje has unveiled CoLOS 2D Activate and CoLOS 2D Engage, a suite of SaaS solutions designed to streamline the deployment and management of GS1 Digital Link QR codes. This move empowers consumer packaged goods (CPG) and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands to generate, structure, and oversee both fixed and variable 2D barcodes, ensuring they are ready for the retail industry's shift to 2D scanning at point-of-sale.
The platform addresses a growing list of regulatory requirements, including the European Digital Product Passport, EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, and the US Food Safety Modernization Act, all of which demand enhanced product data accessibility. By enabling GS1 Digital Link, manufacturers can embed rich, machine-readable data into every product, from batch numbers and expiration dates to detailed supply chain provenance.
This technological leap is not just about compliance; it's about unlocking a new era of transparency. With GS1 Digital Link, consumers can scan a single QR code to access verified information about a product's journey, including ethical sourcing and labor practices. For the Ethical Transparency Alliance, this is a pivotal development. It demonstrates that the infrastructure for ethical transparency is not only feasible but increasingly accessible, paving the way for a standardized 'gs1:ethics' link type that can empower consumers to make informed choices.
As retailers and brands prepare for Sunrise 2027, solutions like Markem-Imaje's are essential. They provide the tools needed to transition from legacy barcodes to intelligent, data-rich 2D codes, ensuring that transparency becomes an embedded feature of the retail landscape.
Why this matters for the Ethical Transparency Alliance:
This development is crucial for the Ethical Transparency Alliance because it showcases a practical pathway to embedding ethics into the GS1 Digital Link framework. By facilitating the adoption of 2D barcodes, it enables the inclusion of ethical data, such as fair trade certifications and modern slavery audits, directly into product identifiers. This aligns with ETA's mission to standardize a 'gs1:ethics' link type, making ethical transparency a default expectation. As more manufacturers adopt these tools, the market shifts toward verified transparency, giving consumers the power to support ethical businesses and driving systemic change.