Let’s face it — business isn't getting any simpler. Between shifting regulations, sustainability goals, and rising consumer expectations, beverage companies are under more pressure than ever.
GS1 Australia is helping liquor organisations unlock real value, by making their supply chains smarter, more connected, and more traceable. One of the biggest opportunities lies in moving beyond current barcodes to the next generation. QR Codes that encode GS1 standards, such as GS1 Digital Link, and connect each product to information such as ingredients, nutritional information, certifications and even sustainability claims.
Take De Bortoli Wines. Like many in the wine industry, they were facing a tough challenge—different markets demanding different product data and new labelling rules made it impractical and costly to relabel bottles for each market. So they turned to GS1 Digital Link. By using a self-hosted Digital Link Resolver, De Bortoli could keep their existing labels and technology but still deliver tailored product info via QR codes. Now, when someone scans a bottle, they can see everything from provenance, recycling and ingredients to verified certifications.
Coca-Cola in Brazil is also doing something pretty amazing with refillable bottles. As part of their “World Without Waste” initiative, they’re aiming for 40% of their bottles to be refillable by 2030. To achieve this, Coca-Cola Brazil are tracking each bottle with GS1 Next Generation barcodes. Each bottle gets a unique laser-etched QR Code that tells its entire life story—how many times it’s been refilled, where it’s been, and when it’s time to recycle.
Another example is the recent initiative developed by GS1 Australia and the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), SmartFacts®. A consistent digital labelling experience for consumers using GS1 Next Generation barcodes. As AFGC CEO Colm Maguire says, "SmartFacts® is a 21st-century answer to 21st-century consumer expectations."
Traceability with GS1 isn’t just about ticking boxes for compliance. It’s about building trust, improving efficiency, and staying competitive in a fast-changing world. The Australian Government’s National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023–2033 puts it plainly, "Better traceability helps us adapt to everything from climate change to food safety risks to evolving trade demands*." And the good news is you don’t have to start from scratch. GS1 standards are already helping companies across Australia and around the globe do just that.
Learn more about the success of De Bortoli Wines or reach out to the team at GS1 Australia today.
*Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GS1 Australia is a Platinum Partner of the Drinks Association.