What GS1 UK is saying
GS1 UK’s guidance, reviewed on 2 June 2026, describes a gradual transition towards QR codes powered by GS1. It explicitly says there is no single deadline requiring every member to replace traditional barcodes. During the transition, many products will need both a linear barcode and a 2D code. The practical constraint is trading-partner and point-of-sale readiness.
The design implication
Our take: reserve a real information area before the hero graphic fills the back panel. A code is part of the pack’s working interface. It needs space, contrast and a sensible relationship with the product information around it. Adding it as the last object in a crowded layout is how a carefully composed pack becomes a collection of exceptions.
Keep the transition legible
Make an annotated version of the artwork with the code areas clearly identified. Separate the printed symbol from its destination content: one is a production asset, the other is a maintained digital experience. Decide who is responsible for each. A working link today is not a substitute for a plan to keep the destination useful.
The next studio review
Ask the production team which symbol is required for the intended retailer, which dimensions and placement rules apply, and how the printed result will be verified. Then include that space in every visual direction. This is an opportunity to give functional information a deliberate place in the design.
Sources & further reading
Checked 16 September 2026. News facts are attributed to the linked primary sources; interpretation is identified in the article.
