Consumers will soon access product information through a simple smartphone scan. SmartFacts®, launching in late 2025, gives shoppers instant access to standardized, live product details including nutrition, allergens, and brand origin. The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council (NZFGC), and GS1 Australia and New Zealand have partnered in this innovative digital labeling project.

SmartFacts® makes end-to-end supply chain tracking possible and encourages greater transparency and trust in brands. The solution appeared on select FMCG products from the second half of 2025, putting fast facts at consumers’ fingertips. GS1’s global data standards support the system to deliver consistent and reliable information across participating products. This live tracking system offers great benefits to consumers, manufacturers and retailers throughout the product’s trip.

How SmartFacts® Enhances Consumer Transparency

SmartFacts® digital labels change product transparency by connecting consumers and brands instantly during the shopping trip. GS1 Australia studies show that 90% of shoppers feel more secure in their transactions when they scan Next Generation Barcodes. Brand trust increases by 89% when companies use these advanced codes.

Shoppers can access complete product data beyond physical packaging limits with a single smartphone scan. The information has nutritional facts, allergen warnings, green practices, manufacturing origins, and recycling instructions. Supply chain visibility now extends from production facilities to store shelves and helps buyers make informed decisions.

The system’s strength comes from its data management capabilities. Brands update information with one click, while certain attributes like allergens sync automatically from data pools such as the National Product Catalogue. This approach gives up-to-the-minute supply chain visibility with consistently accurate information.

Products that need special handling or contain potential allergens benefit greatly from complete supply chain visibility. The technology helps the broader community and provides better access for visually impaired shoppers.

Studies confirm these supply chain visibility solutions work well: about 60% of people worldwide scan QR codes daily. Additionally, 82% of consumers say they’re more likely to scan Next Generation Barcodes on products, which shows growing acceptance of this transparency-enhancing technology.

Industry Benefits of SmartFacts® Implementation

SmartFacts® brings major operational advantages to businesses, not just customer involvement. The system follows global standards by using GS1 Standards with GS1 Digital Link QR codes.

Digital labels cut production costs substantially. Companies can use smaller physical labels that need less ink and fewer design resources. On top of that, these digital solutions help companies cut about 343,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from their supply chains.

SmartFacts® gives complete visibility of supply chain networks. Managers can spot bottlenecks or disruptions right away. This tracking ability at every step makes global supply chains more resilient.

Better supply chain visibility helps prevent overstocking or understocking issues. The system tracks conditions like temperature during distribution, which is crucial for sensitive materials.

Unique digital identifiers protect products from counterfeiting. The digital labeling system creates a smoother regulatory process that works better for businesses and consumers.

SmartFacts® gives brands the confidence to deliver products in both New Zealand and Australian markets as a Trans-Tasman initiative. This standard approach makes compliance easier while using resources better and reducing environmental impact.

Technology Behind SmartFacts® Digital Labels

SmartFacts® builds on GS1 Digital Link, a groundbreaking standard that turns regular barcodes into web-enabled digital identifiers. The technology combines product identifiers like GTINs with batch numbers, serial numbers, and expiry dates into a single multipurpose 2D barcode. These intelligent QR codes do more than conventional labels – they connect physical products to dynamic digital content.

SmartFacts® implementation follows a simple three-step process. Companies start by creating digital identifiers through the GS1 system. They then encode these identifiers into QR codes and place them on packaging. The final step connects these codes to digital experiences that serve both consumers and supply chain partners.

The GS1-powered QR code works by directing users to standardized product information through a web URI that connects physical and digital worlds. This strong infrastructure tracks products throughout their journey – from manufacturing through distribution to consumer purchase.

The life-blood of SmartFacts® ecosystem lies in its integration with Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS). This integration enables up-to-the-minute, event-based tracking across supply chains. Brands can now capture detailed data about product location, status, and movement. The interoperable data repositories enhance supply chain visibility significantly.

The system stands out because digital content updates without changing the physical QR code on packaging. This feature provides expandable, future-ready supply chain visibility solutions.

Bridging Shoppers and Supply Chains

SmartFacts® digital labels are revolutionizing supply chain visibility in Australia and New Zealand. GS1’s global data standards make this innovative system unique. It gives consumers clear product insights and brings major operational benefits throughout the product’s lifecycle.

Shoppers can now access key information with a quick smartphone scan. The system makes allergen warnings, nutritional facts, eco-friendly practices, and recycling instructions readily available. This helps people make better buying decisions. Brands save money too – they can use smaller physical labels, use fewer resources, and reduce their carbon footprint.

Supply chain visibility is one of the most valuable features of SmartFacts®. The system spots bottlenecks, prevents stock issues, tracks special handling needs, and fights counterfeiting. The technology works naturally in both Australian and New Zealand markets with its standardized approach.

GS1 Digital Link technology turns basic barcodes into powerful digital tools. QR codes connect physical products to live digital information. Research shows people are ready to use this technology. About 60% of people scan QR codes daily, and 82% say they would scan Next Generation Barcodes on products.

SmartFacts® digital labels connect consumer needs with supply chain capabilities. This Trans-Tasman project will launch with select FMCG products in late 2025. It will change how businesses handle product information and how consumers interact with their purchases. The future of supply chain visibility is here – simple, reliable, and detailed for everyone involved.

Read more: Connected Packaging Solutions: Bridging Physical Products with Digital Experiences