In this episode, Cory Connors talks with Teresa Williams, Director of Strategic Accounts for GS1 US, about Sunrise 2027 — the biggest shift in retail packaging data in 50 years. Teresa explains how the industry is transitioning from the traditional 1D linear UPC barcode to a data-rich 2D barcode (a QR code powered by GS1 Digital Link), why it matters for brands and retailers, and how companies can start preparing now. The two also discuss Teresa's path into the AIDC (automatic identification and data capture) space, what GS1 US actually does, and the regulatory forces — from the Food Supply Chain Modernization Act to EPR laws — accelerating the change.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Teresa's background in AIDC (automatic identification and data capture) and her path to GS1 US
• What GS1 and GS1 US are, and how they support 300,000+ businesses across 25+ industries
• What Sunrise 2027 (globally, Ambition 2027) actually means — and why there's no hard "sunset" date for 1D barcodes
• How the new 2D barcode (GS1 Digital Link) can hold expiration dates, batch/lot numbers, allergen info, and sustainability stories on a single scan
• The first UPC-coded product ever sold: Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum, in 1974
• Consumer demand driving the shift — nearly 80% of shoppers say they're more likely to buy if they can scan a code for more product information
• Regulatory drivers: the Food Supply Chain Modernization Act, DSCSA (healthcare), and state EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) laws
• What happens if a brand doesn't adopt — no register rejection, but a growing competitive disadvantage
• Practical first steps: starting with accurate GS1 identifiers, dual marking (printing both barcode types), and using labels before committing to new packaging
• GS1 US's solution provider directory for point-of-sale hardware, software, and barcode printing partners
• GS1 US Connect and the "Beyond the Barcode" exhibit
• Advice for brands: don't go it alone — loop in solution providers, marketing, and product development; take a "crawl, walk, run" approach

Chapters:

00:00 – Preparing for Sunrise 2027
00:27 – Introduction
00:53 – Meet Teresa Williams
03:41 – What Is GS1?
05:58 – What Is Sunrise 2027?
09:28 – The First UPC Barcode
10:26 – Why 2D Barcodes Matter
11:31 – What Happens If Brands Don’t Transition?
12:36 – Industry Response & Regulations
14:19 – Sunrise 2027 Resources
15:42 – How Brands Can Prepare
17:21 – Finding a Solution Provider
18:31 – Challenges of Transitioning to 2D
20:08 – What’s Next for Sunrise 2027?
21:35 – Connect with Teresa & GS1 US

Resources Mentioned:

• GS1 US Sunrise 2027 hub
• GS1 US homepage
• Sunrise 2027 dedicated email
• Teresa Williams on LinkedIn

Contact:

Listeners with questions about the 2D barcode transition can reach the GS1 US Sunrise 2027 team at sunrise2027@gs1us.org, visit gs1us.org, or connect with Teresa Williams directly on LinkedIn.

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Forest: https://www.forest-pkg.com/

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Connect with Cory

Connect with Cory on LinkedIn here: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. 

This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.