An AIM Community Connect

The transition from traditional linear barcodes to 2D is moving from discussion to implementation, and organizations across the supply chain are preparing for what comes next.

Join AIM for this special  Community Connect on the migration to 2D, a two-day virtual event taking place November 9–10 from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET each day. The program will bring together industry leaders, technology experts, retailers, and solution providers to explore the practical considerations, opportunities, and challenges surrounding the global migration to 2D barcodes. Registration is now open.

Day 1: Preparing for the Migration

On November 9th we will establish the foundation for organizations preparing for 2D adoption, beginning with an opening keynote from GS1’s Steven Keddie on examining the global journey toward 2D barcode readiness. Attendees will learn what the industry’s end-of-2027 goal means, how linear and 2D barcodes are expected to coexist, and what organizations should be doing now to prepare.

The day will then move into the technical realities of implementation, including:

• Printing, verification, and data quality — examining package-space constraints, print quality, placement, production-line considerations, scanner configuration, and barcode quality standards.
• Measuring 2D readiness — exploring testing and verification techniques that can help organizations identify potential barcode performance issues before they affect operations.
• RFID and 2D working together — looking at how these technologies can complement one another across retail and supply-chain applications rather than viewing them simply as competing identification solutions.

The goal of Day 1 is simple: help organizations understand what needs to happen to make 2D implementation reliable, scalable, and successful.

Day 2: 2D in Practice

November 10th  sessions moves from preparation to real-world implementation and the expanding opportunities enabled by 2D.

The day will open with a keynote providing a major retailer’s perspective on 2D implementation, including the operational and ecosystem considerations involved in preparing for adoption at scale.

Sessions throughout the day will then explore several emerging areas of the 2D landscape, including:

• Product authentication and traceability, examining how additional security technologies can complement 2D codes and help establish greater trust in products and associated digital information.
• Accessibility and the next generation of inclusive 2D codes, exploring how new approaches can make product information and connected experiences available to a broader range of consumers.
• Digital identity and connected products, including examples of electronic labeling, connected packaging, consumer engagement, batch- and item-level identification, and the ability to connect physical products with dynamic digital information.

Together, these sessions will show that the migration to 2D is about much more than replacing one barcode with another. It is creating a foundation for richer product information, improved traceability, new consumer experiences, greater accessibility, and increasingly connected supply chains.

Be Part of the 2D Conversation

Whether your organization is already testing 2D barcodes, developing solutions for the transition, or just beginning to determine what the migration means for your business, this event will provide practical information and perspectives to help you prepare.  Be on the lookout for an official announcement of our finalized agenda plus our exciting keynote form Day 2 of the event!

REGISTER

AIM Chapters from around the world came together on September 16 for the quarterly AIM Chapters Meeting, sharing regional updates, discussing emerging technology and regulatory priorities, and identifying new opportunities for collaboration across the global AIDC community.

 The meeting brought together representatives from AIM Chapters throughout Europe, Asia, North America and other regions, with updates spanning standards development, education, industry events, Digital Product Passport initiatives, RFID, 2D barcode migration, cybersecurity and global traceability.

 Manifest Europe Brings New Collaboration Opportunities

The meeting opened with a presentation from Sophie Ahmed, President of Manifest Europe, highlighting the upcoming launch of Manifest Europe in Lisbon, Portugal. The event is scheduled for October 19-21, 2027 and is expected to bring together approximately 2,500 attendees from across the supply chain, logistics, technology, startup and investment communities.

 Ahmed discussed opportunities for AIM and its Chapters to participate in the event and help shape programming that reflects the needs of the European market. AIM is continuing discussions around partnership opportunities and broader involvement by the global AIDC community.  More information about the event and AIM’s partnership with Manifest will be announced soon.

 Strong Regional Activity Across AIM Chapters

 AIM Germany, Austria and Switzerland shared an extensive update on standards, regulatory developments and upcoming events. Current priorities include Digital Product Passport initiatives, the Cyber Resilience Act, the Radio Equipment Directive, RFID frequency harmonization and cybersecurity regulations. The Chapter is also preparing for its October 2026 Autumn Meeting and planning a significant presence at LogiMAT 2027, including an AIM booth, experts forum and Tracking & Tracing Theater.

 AIM Russia highlighted its longstanding work in standards development and its cooperation with GS1 Russia. The Chapter continues to support national traceability initiatives using technologies including UHF RFID and DataMatrix and is participating in international standards work through organizations including ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31, IEC/PC 132 and ISO/IEC JTC 5.

 AIM India reported continued growth in education and outreach, including its first four-day AIDC workshop in August. The program focused on RFID, smart barcoding, tagging and printing technologies and emphasized hands-on demonstrations and practical learning. AIM India also surpassed 2,000 LinkedIn followers and continues to participate in government, healthcare and technology-focused industry programs.

 AIM Asia shared updates from activities including the Shenzhen IOTE Show and World Robotics Conference in Beijing, while also preparing for its October annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The Chapter is expanding relationships throughout the region, including work involving DPP platforms, AIDC education and international event partnerships.

 Additional updates from AIM Denmark and AIM Japan reinforced a common theme throughout the meeting: interoperability, international cooperation and the importance of building on existing global standards as new regulatory and technology requirements emerge.

 Digital Product Passport Remains a Global Priority

 Digital Product Passport discussions were among the strongest areas of common interest across the Chapters.

 Representatives discussed DPP activities in Europe, China, Japan and Russia, as well as the importance of harmonizing approaches across different regulatory environments. Participants emphasized the need for interoperability and for industry to avoid creating isolated, country-specific systems wherever existing global standards can provide a common foundation.

 AIM plans to continue bringing Chapters together around this issue, including an upcoming DPP work group meeting and expanded educational resources focused on global regulations and implementation.  AIM Global will be hosting a DPP meeting on October 7^th at 2 PM ET to discuss all of this in more detail.  Contact Michael Allen if you are interested in being a part of this call.

 The Global Food Supply Chain is Becoming More Visible

 Members on the call shared several updates related to global food supply chain traceability. Anna from AIM Asia highlighted a major traceability event held in China in July that brought together approximately 4,000 companies and included significant discussion around Digital Product Passport standards. She also noted plans to connect the China-based traceability platform with other systems internationally to support greater global interoperability. Masaki from AIM Japan added context on GS1 China’s role in DPP standardization and related standards activity in the region. AIM North America also provided an update on its ongoing Food Supply Chain Work Group activities and broader traceability initiatives. The discussion highlighted how AIM chapters around the world are addressing common challenges around food traceability, data standards, and supply chain connectivity.

 AIM North America Advances Education and Industry Work

AIM North America provided updates across several active work groups. The UDI Work Group is developing guidance on selecting 2D scanners and educational materials related to the transition to 2D barcodes and GS1 Sunrise 2027. The Food Supply Chain Work Group continues its work around FSMA 204, food traceability and reseller education, while the Cannabis Work Group has expanded its podcast programming and formed an advisory board to help guide future priorities.AIM North America is also continuing its member meet-up program at industry events and company facilities, creating additional opportunities for members to connect in person throughout the year.

 AIM Global Initiatives Continue to Expand

AIM provided Chapters with an update on several global initiatives currently underway.

 Advocacy remains a major priority, with AIM monitoring regulations and policy developments affecting AIDC technologies around the world, including the previously mentioned Digital Product Passport requirements and the U.S. FCC NextNav proceeding.

 AIM industry groups are also advancing a broad range of technical resources. Current work includes RFID security and privacy guidance, BLE, NFC and UWB technology primers, worldwide regulatory monitoring, supply chain visibility graphics, cybersecurity labeling initiatives, healthcare 2D scanner guidance and educational material on barcode verification.

 AIM also highlighted the continued development of its ISO/IEC 15459 IAC-CIN Lookup Service. The initiative is designed to connect standardized identifiers with the appropriate digital information or resolver service, helping support traceability, Digital Product Passports, authenticity information and other digital applications without requiring the full information to be stored directly in the identifier itself.

 Building the Next Generation of the AIDC Community

Community development remains another area of focus.

 AIM is expanding the Women of AIDC program internationally through its Chapters and has launched a new Young Professionals community called NextGen Supply Chain Tech on Discord. The community is intended to provide a more informal space for industry conversation, peer networking, education and professional development.

 Preparing the Industry for the Move to 2D

AIM’s next Community Connect will focus on the global migration from traditional 1D barcodes toward next-generation 2D barcode applications.

 Topics will include GS1 Sunrise 2027, coexistence of 1D and 2D barcodes, implementation strategies, printing and verification, security considerations, retail readiness and real-world adoption.

AIM Chapters are being encouraged to identify end users, retailers, manufacturers, technology experts and regional case studies that can contribute to the program.

 One Global AIDC Community

 The September Chapter Meeting reinforced the value of AIM’s global network and the opportunity to connect regional expertise with worldwide industry priorities.

 Whether addressing Digital Product Passport requirements, RFID spectrum issues, traceability, cybersecurity, 2D migration or emerging technologies, AIM Chapters are increasingly working across borders to share expertise and promote interoperable approaches.

 As AIM looks toward 2027, continued collaboration among Chapters will be critical to ensuring that the global AIDC community has a strong, coordinated voice as technologies, standards and regulations continue to evolve.

During the September 2nd meeting of the AIM Visibility Technologies Industry Group, members heard from Grace Burkard, Director of Operations at the ioXt Alliance, for an in-depth look at the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program and what the developing cybersecurity labeling program could mean for manufacturers, retailers, technology providers, and consumers.

The Federal Communications Commission selected ioXt Alliance as the Lead Administrator for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program in April 2026. The voluntary program is intended to give consumers a recognizable way to identify qualifying connected products that meet baseline cybersecurity requirements.

What Is the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark?

Grace explained that the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is being developed as a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for consumer Internet of Things products.

The program is built around cybersecurity guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including NIST IR 8425, which establishes baseline cybersecurity capabilities for consumer IoT products. Rather than serving as a “gold standard” or indicating that a product is immune from cybersecurity threats, the Trust Mark is designed to establish a recognizable baseline that manufacturers can demonstrate through independent evaluation.

Products participating in the program will undergo third-party testing and evaluation before being authorized to display the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.

Grace noted that the initial scope is focused specifically on consumer-facing connected products. Enterprise, industrial, automotive, healthcare, and individual components such as chips and modules are currently outside the program’s primary scope.

Helping Consumers Understand Product Security

One of the primary objectives of the program is transparency.

Consumers purchasing connected products often have little practical information available to help them understand how a manufacturer approaches cybersecurity, software updates, product support, or secure configuration.

The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark is intended to provide a recognizable signal that a product has met defined baseline requirements while connecting the consumer with additional product-specific security information.

That additional information is where the program becomes particularly relevant to AIM.

The Role of the QR Code

Grace spent part of the discussion addressing the QR Code associated with the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.

The cybersecurity label is expected to include the Trust Mark along with a scannable QR Code that connects users to more detailed cybersecurity information about the product. The labeling framework envisions multiple layers of information, with consumer-friendly information at one level and more detailed technical information available at another. This information can include items such as product security and certification information, software update practices, secure configuration guidance, the manufacturer’s support period, and other information that may change during the life of the product. Unlike a static printed statement, the QR Code provides a pathway to information that can remain current as cybersecurity conditions, software versions, and product support evolve.

AIM Members: Review the Technical Recommendations

Following the meeting, Grace provided AIM with a link to technical recommendations available through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System.

The link takes members to a filing associated with the FCC’s Cybersecurity Labeling for Internet of Things proceeding, Docket No. 23-239. The filing contains technical recommendations developed for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program and provides considerably more detail than the general program overview.

Of particular interest to AIM members are the recommendations involving the label, QR code, linked product information, technical requirements, cybersecurity criteria, and implementation framework.

The labeling approach also distinguishes between information intended to be easily understood by consumers and more detailed technical information. The related ANSI/CTA-2120 labeling framework describes an on-package marking and QR code, a consumer-focused information layer, and a more technically focused information layer.  AIM members are encouraged to begin reviewing these materials now.

AIM TSC and Visibility Groups to Continue the Discussion

The AIM Technical Symbology Committee (TSC) will review the QR Code and data carrier aspects of the recommendations, including potential questions surrounding implementation, interoperability, symbol quality, and the relationship with other QR-based applications. The Visibility Technologies Industry Group will also continue reviewing the broader U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program and its potential impact on organizations throughout the connected-product ecosystem. Both groups plan to continue the discussion during their October meetings, and AIM members are encouraged to review the FCC materials in advance and identify questions, concerns, or recommendations that AIM should consider.  As standards, regulations, identification technologies, cybersecurity requirements, and consumer-facing product information increasingly intersect, engagement from AIM’s technical community will be critical.

Watch Grace Burkard’s Presentation

Members who were unable to attend the September 2nd Visibility Technologies Industry Group meeting, or who would like to revisit the discussion, can watch Grace’s complete presentation here.

AIM thanks Grace Burkard and the ioXt Alliance for joining the Visibility Technologies Industry Group and for providing members with an early opportunity to better understand the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark and the technical considerations surrounding its implementation.

AIM members interested in this issue are encouraged to review the recommendations before the October TSC and Visibility Technologies Industry Group meetings and come prepared to share feedback