April 2026 · 10 min read

GS1 Digital Link Explained: The Standard Behind EU Product Passports & US Sunrise 2027

GS1 Digital Link is the global standard that turns a simple QR code into a gateway to product information. It's required for EU Digital Product Passports and is replacing traditional barcodes in US retail. Here's how it works.

What is GS1 Digital Link?

GS1 Digital Link is a standard that encodes product identifiers (like GTINs) into web URLs. When you scan a GS1 Digital Link QR code, it resolves to product information — a webpage, JSON data, or any other resource.

Unlike traditional barcodes that only contain a number, GS1 Digital Link QR codes contain a URL that works on any smartphone without a special app.

URI syntax

A GS1 Digital Link URI follows this structure:

https://{resolver}/01/{GTIN}/10/{batch}/21/{serial}

The numbers 01, 10, and 21 are GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs):

Example full URL:

https://dpp.gs/01/08523456790018/10/LOT2026A/21/SN000001

How does a resolver work?

A GS1 Digital Link Resolver is a web server that receives the URL and decides what to do:

• Smartphone/browser → redirects to a human-readable product page
• API client/ERP → returns JSON data with product information
• Recycler/authority → returns extended data based on access role

The resolver also supports content negotiation — the same URL returns different formats based on the Accept header:

Why does it matter for EU Digital Product Passports?

The EU ESPR regulation requires that Digital Product Passports be accessible via a data carrier on the product. GS1 Digital Link is the recommended standard because:

• It works with any smartphone — no special app needed
• It encodes the GTIN, which is already used in supply chains worldwide
• It supports batch and serial level tracking (required for batteries)
• It enables machine-readable data for recyclers and authorities
• It's an international standard — works the same in all 27 EU member states

US GS1 Sunrise 2027

GS1 Digital Link isn't just for the EU. In the United States, the GS1 US Sunrise 2027 initiative is transitioning retail from traditional 1D barcodes to 2D codes (QR) with GS1 Digital Link.

Key facts:

• Deadline: 2027 — US retailers must be able to scan 2D codes at point of sale
• Walmart, Kroger, Target are already requiring GS1 Digital Link from suppliers
• FDA requires GS1 for pharmaceutical traceability (DSCSA)
• The same QR code works for both EU DPP and US retail — one code, two markets

GS1 conformance: how to verify

GS1 provides an official Resolver Conformance Test Suite that validates whether a resolver correctly implements the standard. It checks:

• Resolver description file at /.well-known/gs1resolver
• URI syntax validation and error handling
• Content negotiation (JSON, linkset, HTML redirect)
• RFC 9264 linkset format
• HTTP Link headers
• Default link handling

You can test any resolver at: ref.gs1.org/test-suites/resolver

dpp.gs passes all conformance tests. Verify it yourself →

How to get started

1. Get a GS1 Company Prefix — register with your national GS1 organization
2. Assign GTINs to your products
3. Create a DPP on a platform like dpp.gs — upload product data via CSV or API
4. Download QR codes — GS1 Digital Link encoded, ready for packaging
5. Apply to products — print on packaging, labels, or product itself

Related articles

• What is the EU Digital Product Passport?
• ESPR Compliance Guide for Manufacturers
• DPP Penalties: What happens without a Digital Product Passport?