Go Green, Go Global: GS1 Hackathon 2025 set to drive innovation and sustainability

As a neutral, not-for-profit body, GS1 is no stranger to contributing change. With 120 member organizations worldwide and over two million companies using its system, GS1 standards enable more than 10 billion daily barcode scans.From retail’s first barcode scan in Ohio in 1974 to its present role in healthcare, finance, food safety, retail, and logistics, GS1 has been one of the molders of how industries move and trade.

The hackathon is more than just a competition — it is a representation of the next leap in product identification. Guided by the vision “One Scan, infinite possibilities,” GS1 is highlighting the potential of the next generation 2D barcodes.

The timing could not be more relevant, with the rollout of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) in Europe and Singapore’s upcoming Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) by 2026. Industries are already preparing for change. By 2027, retail point-of-sale (POS) scanners worldwide are expected to be capable of reading and processing both traditional linear (1D) barcodes and newer 2D barcodes — paving the way for a gradual transition toward enhanced, data-rich labeling systems.

This year’s hackathon challenges participants to design forward-looking solutions across three key areas: adopting next-generation 2D barcodes, advancing sustainability through GS1 standards, and harnessing AI for business intelligence.Participants are pushed to think beyond theory and design tools that can, for example, trace the carbon footprint of a product, counter greenwashing with verified ESG claims, or create AI driven dashboards.

With prizes of up to $4,000 and opportunities to influence GS1 adoption globally, entries will be judged on the following criteria: problem solving, innovation and impact, feasibility and scalability, and presentation quality. Promising ideas will also be recognized with certificates and consolation awards.

Moreover, it also embodies GS1’s broader Vision 2030, which aims to “power trust in data for everyone, everywhere.” This vision highlights trusted identification, global interoperability, and collaboration between industries. This hackathon is just a part of a wider series of GS1 Singapore initiatives. In May 2025, the Go Green Go Global Forum 2025 brought together over 100 industry leaders, including speakers from Heineken, Amazon Web Services, and Fairprice, which received the Longstanding Retailer Award. The forum focused on three themes that remain central to GS1’s vision: next generation barcodes, retail and e-commerce growth, and tech driven sustainability.

These efforts in Singapore are closely aligned with GS1’s broader international push. In June 2024, major consumer goods companies issued a joint statement reaffirming its commitment to 2D barcode adoption. Today, pilots are now running in 48 countries, representing 88% of the world’s GDP. Retailers such as Woolworths in Australia, Parla Deli in Brazil, and 7-Eleven in Thailand already demonstrate the practical impact of the transition.

Later this year, GS1 Singapore will join the Asia Pacific Regional Forum in Vietnam and serve as a supporting organization for Transport Logistic/ Air Cargo 2025 in Singapore. Both events will further the dialogue on standards adoption and prepare industries for future conflicts.

Overall, the Go Green Go Global Hackathon 2025 is a platform to co-create solutions that can redefine industries across the world. By bringing innovators, industry leaders, and technology experts together, GS1 is significantly contributing to shaping a world where digital standards meet sustainability. This article is a collaborative piece between GS1 and Value Chain Asia (VCA). As the media partner of the event, VCA is proud to support GS1 Singapore’s efforts in highlighting innovation and sustainability across industries.