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Every product is getting smarter. The transition from traditional 1D barcodes to advanced 2D labels such as QR and Data Matrix codes is accelerating under GS1’s Sunrise 2027 initiative. These new codes, known as GS1 Digital Links, connect a product’s barcode to the web, unlocking details like expiration dates, lot numbers, origin, and sustainability data.

At GearChain, we see this shift as the foundation for something much larger: blockchain-verified inventory management, where every item carries an identity that can be trusted.

From Barcodes to Verifiable Digital Links

GearChain already supports GS1 Digital Links, including bulk generation for businesses that need to label hundreds or even thousands of products at once. Each item in GearChain can include a GS1 Digital Link format such as https://gearchain.io/01/09506000134352/21/ABC123. When users update an item’s details, such as changing its quantity, condition, or location, those changes are recorded and verified through blockchain. Each update becomes a timestamped proof of activity that cannot be altered, building a transparent and reliable history around every product or asset.

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Why Blockchain Changes the Game

GS1 Digital Links make product data accessible to anyone, anywhere, while blockchain ensures that this data remains verifiable and tamper-proof. Together, they establish a foundation where each product has a universal digital identity, every update can be traced back to its source, and all stakeholders—from manufacturers to consumers—can trust the accuracy of the information. Instead of relying on paperwork or audits, trust is built directly into the system itself.

Building Digital Passports for Every Product

With GearChain, every product effectively becomes its own digital passport. Each scan, transfer, or update creates a blockchain-verified record in that product’s lifecycle. When someone scans the 2D label linked to gearchain.io/01/..., they can instantly view when and where the item was last updated, who handled it, and its current condition or quantity. They can also access a verification link confirming that the information is authentic. This turns ordinary product data into a living digital identity that bridges the physical and digital worlds, transforming barcodes into sources of proof and trust.

Rewarding Accuracy and Participation

GearChain’s blockchain roadmap goes beyond verification. It also focuses on recognizing and rewarding the people who make the system reliable. Users who scan, confirm, or update accurate information will earn digital rewards for verified activity. This approach encourages more accurate data, fosters transparent collaboration between teams, and motivates suppliers, distributors, and retailers to participate actively. Each verified action strengthens the overall reliability of the network and adds measurable value to the ecosystem.

The Future of Inventory Verification

The combination of GS1 Digital Links and blockchain verification is redefining how businesses manage and prove the authenticity of their assets. Manufacturers can demonstrate compliance and authenticity instantly, retailers gain real-time visibility into item movement, and consumers can verify a product’s origin and trust the information they see. GearChain’s mission is to make trust and traceability accessible to every business without requiring technical expertise or complex blockchain integration.

What’s Next

GearChain’s blockchain roadmap includes recording GS1 Digital Links as verifiable product identities, anchoring all activity logs to blockchain for transparent updates, introducing digital rewards for verified user actions, and expanding public verification tools for GS1-linked products. The future of inventory management is one where every scan builds trust and every verified update contributes to shared value.