Summary: In this end-to-end case study, we show exactly how a farm-to-shelf supply chain can meet 2025–2028 traceability and sustainability mandates using EPCIS 2.0, 2D barcodes/GS1 Digital Link, verifiable credentials, and a privacy-preserving blockchain stack—down to data models, integration points, and rollout steps. You’ll leave with a concrete blueprint, metrics to track, pitfalls to avoid, and emerging practices that actually work at enterprise scale.

Blockchain in Supply Chain: Case Study from Farm to Retail Shelf

Decision-makers don’t need more theory—they need an implementation recipe that clears today’s regulatory bar while building durable competitive advantage. Below is a practical, step‑by‑step blueprint we use at 7Block Labs to take fresh produce from field to retail shelf with verifiable provenance, rapid recalls, and measurable ROI.

Why this matters right now:

FDA’s FSMA 204 traceability rule is still coming—FDA proposed a 30‑month extension of the compliance date to July 20, 2028 (originally January 20, 2026), and continues to release FAQs, tools, and CTE/KDE examples. Teams should keep building toward the rule, not pause. (fda.gov)
The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) ushered in Digital Product Passports (DPPs) with a central DPP registry expected by July 2026 and phased mandates across priority sectors through 2030. Even non‑EU exporters will be impacted. (commission.europa.eu)
Retail is shifting to 2D barcodes (GS1 Digital Link) by the Sunrise 2027 milestone so POS systems can read richer, lot‑level data right off the pack. (gs1us.org)
Global shipping is digitizing titles: carriers committed to 100% electronic bills of lading (eBL) by 2030, unlocking speed and cost savings at borders and ports. (dcsa.org)

We’ll show how to align with all four—while protecting sensitive supplier data.

The Scenario: Leafy Greens, From California Farm to National Grocer

We’ll walk the physical product and the data it generates through five hops: farm, packhouse, cross‑dock + linehaul, DC, and store. The backbone is GS1 EPCIS 2.0 (for event interoperability), 2D barcodes/GS1 Digital Link (for on‑pack scanning), and a permissioned blockchain (for tamper‑evident audit proofs), with W3C Verifiable Credentials (VC 2.0) to attest certificates without over‑sharing.

Key design choices:

Event model: GS1 EPCIS 2.0 with JSON‑LD, sensor extensions, REST capture/query. (gs1.org)
On‑pack ID: GS1 Digital Link URI encoded into a Data Matrix/QR (dual‑marked with UPC during the transition to 2027). (gs1us.org)
Trust layer: Hyperledger Fabric 2.5 LTS (with private data collections for commercial terms) or public Ethereum with EY Nightfall’s ZK rollup when cross‑company privacy is paramount. (lf-decentralized-trust.github.io)
Credentials: W3C VC 2.0 for organic/GAP certifications, lab results, and carrier compliance with selective disclosure. (w3.org)

Step‑by‑Step: What We Capture, Where It Lives, and Who Sees It

Farm (Harvest Day)

Assign GTIN + Traceability Lot Code (TLC) per bed/row/shift.
Capture ObjectEvents in EPCIS for harvest, with sensor readings (pulp temp, ambient) and geo‑coordinates. EPCIS 2.0 natively supports sensor elements and a new AssociationEvent for kit‑to‑case links. (gs1.org)
Issue Verifiable Credentials (VC 2.0) for certifications (Organic/GAP) so auditors or buyers can cryptographically verify them later without emailing PDFs. (w3.org)

Packhouse (Same Day)

AggregationEvents: clamshells → cases → pallets; link each level to the TLC.
Print dual marks: UPC + 2D barcode carrying the GS1 Digital Link URI and dynamic data (lot/expiration). This is future‑proof for Sunrise 2027 and allows POS and smartphones to pull traceability instantly. (gs1us.org)
EPCIS capture via REST API from the line; private data (contract price, promotional allowances) kept off‑chain in private collections or revealed via zero‑knowledge proofs when needed. (lf-decentralized-trust.github.io)

Cross‑dock and Linehaul

Shipping/Receiving events (CTEs) with Key Data Elements (KDEs) aligned to FSMA 204 schemas so a sortable file is producible in ≤24 hours on FDA request. (fda.gov)
Attach continuous cold‑chain sensor feeds (EPCIS sensor extensions). When thresholds are breached, downstream systems can flag affected TLCs automatically. (gs1.org)

Import Leg (if applicable)

Replace paper BoLs with standardized eBLs; carriers like Hapag‑Lloyd and ONE issue eBLs over GSBN, which conforms to DCSA APIs. This cuts days of dwell and reduces fraud risk. (gsbn.trade)
Document titles and warehouse receipts can be combined (GSBN has demonstrated “triple‑document” digital flows), easing trade financing. (porttechnology.org)

Distribution Center → Store

Receiving/Transform events logged; store‑level markdown logic can read expiration and lot right from the 2D barcode—reducing shrink and enabling dynamic discounting at POS. (gs1us.org)
In a recall, provenance lookups move from days to seconds; Walmart’s mango pilot is the canonical proof (6d 18h → 2.2s). (public.walmart.com)

Consumer touchpoint: a single smartphone scan resolves the Digital Link to a DPP‑like experience in the EU (as delegated acts take effect across sectors from 2026 onward), exposing only what’s appropriate for shoppers while regulators can access the full compliance view. (commission.europa.eu)

The Data Stack You Actually Need (and Nothing You Don’t)

Capture and interoperability:
- EPCIS 2.0 repository with REST + JSON‑LD; validate events with GS1 schemas and ontologies. Use GS1’s EPCIS Sandbox for conversions (URN ↔ WebURI; XML ↔ JSON‑LD). (ref.gs1.org)
Packaging + codes:
- Dual‑mark through 2027; enable a resolver for GS1 Digital Link that returns role‑based views (consumer vs. regulator vs. retailer systems). (gs1us.org)
Trust and privacy:
- Fabric 2.5 LTS for permissioned networks and private data collections; or deploy EY Nightfall ZK rollup patterns if you need to anchor on public Ethereum with confidential business terms. (lf-decentralized-trust.github.io)
Credentials:
- VC 2.0 for organic/halal, lab results, carrier safety. VC 2.0 is now a W3C standard; pair with Traceability Interop and Vocab specs for supply chain schemas. (w3.org)
Carbon and ESG add‑on:
- If you’re preparing for DPP and customer ESG claims, exchange product‑level carbon data using WBCSD PACT’s PCF protocol (v3.0.0). (wbcsd.github.io)

What “Good” Looks Like: KPIs and Benchmarks

Traceback speed: goal under 5 seconds per TLC; proven feasible in the wild (Walmart’s IBM Food Trust pilot hit 2.2 seconds). (public.walmart.com)
Recall scope: reduce from category‑wide to lot‑precise using EPCIS aggregation and TLC discipline; FDA expects sortable, 24‑hour turnarounds for CTE/KDEs. (fda.gov)
Border and port cycle time: eBLs and standardized APIs reduce courier delays and fraud; DCSA members target 100% eBL by 2030, with multi‑billion‑dollar annual industry savings at scale. (dcsa.org)
Consumer engagement: 2D codes measurably increase information access and can drive waste‑cutting markdowns for perishables; the retail industry has committed to POS‑wide 2D acceptance by 2027. (gs1us.org)
Compliance coverage: maintain verifiable credential proofs (VC 2.0) for certificates and lab tests so you can reveal only what each regulator needs, not your whole supplier book. (w3.org)

Building for FSMA 204 (U.S.) and DPP (EU) at the Same Time

FSMA 204: keep collecting KDEs at CTEs (harvest, shipping, receiving, transformation) and be ready to generate a sortable spreadsheet in 24 hours. The FDA has released new FAQs, supply‑chain examples, and clarifications (e.g., “nut butters”). Even as FDA proposed extending the compliance date to July 20, 2028, the agency continues tooling and guidance—don’t stop implementing. (fda.gov)
EU DPP: architect a resolver that can return a product passport payload per sector as delegated acts come online (registry expected by July 2026; batteries and other priority product groups phase in 2026–2030). Use your GS1 Digital Link as the on‑pack access point to a DPP view derived from EPCIS + credentials. (commission.europa.eu)

Bonus: shipping documentation is also trending digital—tie EPCIS shipment events to eBLs so your physical flow and title flow are reconciled by design. (dcsa.org)

Privacy and Competitive Sensitivity: What to Put On‑Chain (and What Not To)

On‑chain: hashes of EPCIS event batches, credential fingerprints, and audit‑relevant state transitions.
Off‑chain: raw EPCIS payloads, pricing, supplier identities, and IoT streams—kept in your EPCIS repository and exchanged peer‑to‑peer when authorized.
Techniques:
- Fabric private data collections for bilateral terms; channel design for role‑segregation. (lf-decentralized-trust.github.io)
- ZK rollups (Nightfall) to keep values private while proving compliance/state. (ey.com)
- VC 2.0 selective disclosure for “yes/no” compliance claims (e.g., “organic-certified=true”) without dumping full certificates. (w3.org)

The 90‑Day Pilot Plan (What We Do in Practice)

Weeks 0–2: Discovery and mapping

Map FSMA 204 KDEs to EPCIS 2.0 events and your WMS/TMS/ERP fields.
Define the GS1 Digital Link data model for on‑pack codes and the resolver UX. (gs1.org)

Weeks 3–6: Data plumbing

Stand up an EPCIS 2.0 repository; configure REST capture; validate with GS1 Sandbox and schemas.
Integrate harvest/pack sensors; standardize temperature readings into EPCIS sensor extensions. (ref.gs1.org)

Weeks 7–10: Trust & UX

Deploy a Fabric 2.5 LTS network or Nightfall stack; anchor event hashes nightly. (lf-decentralized-trust.github.io)
Issue VC 2.0 credentials for two certifications (e.g., GAP and lab COA); wire the verifier into your resolver. (w3.org)
Print dual UPC + 2D barcodes on limited SKUs; enable role‑based landing pages.

Weeks 11–13: Measure and document

Run mock recalls; measure traceback, scope reduction, and cold‑chain exceptions caught.
Produce the FDA‑ready sortable file; generate a DPP prototype for EU‑destined SKUs. (fda.gov)

Exit criteria: sub‑5‑second tracebacks, sortable FSMA 204 export, POS‑scannable 2D, and eBL/eDO linkage achieved on at least one import lane.

Lessons from the Field: What Makes or Breaks These Programs

Neutral governance matters. Maersk’s TradeLens shut down despite strong tech because the network couldn’t secure broad, neutral participation; design your consortium so competitors are comfortable joining. (maersk.com)
Build on open standards, not custom schemas. EPCIS 2.0 + VC 2.0 + DCSA eBL gives you future‑proofing and vendor choice. (gs1.org)
Meet retail where it’s going. If you aren’t piloting 2D codes now, your POS upgrades and packaging lead times could miss the Sunrise 2027 window. (gs1us.org)
Start with one high‑velocity SKU. Use it to harden EPCIS mappings and resolver patterns, then scale laterally.

Advanced Add‑Ons You Can Phase In

Product‑level carbon exchange (Scope 3): Share PCFs using WBCSD PACT’s Data Exchange Protocol v3.0; it plugs neatly into a DPP view and helps procurement score suppliers on actual footprints, not averages. (wbcsd.github.io)
Maritime document triads and financing: If you ship globally, link EPCIS shipments to eBL + eDelivery Order + eWarehouse Receipts over GSBN to speed release and enable inventory‑backed financing. (porttechnology.org)
Consumer engagement and waste reduction: Use lot/expiry in 2D to drive dynamic markdowns and prevent expired‑at‑till incidents, improving trust and margin simultaneously. (gs1us.org)

Brief Case References (Why We’re Confident)

Walmart’s mango + pork pilots reduced tracebacks from nearly a week to seconds and scaled traceability across multiple product lines. That is the operational bar we target. (public.walmart.com)
Shipping leaders and carriers are standardizing documents and APIs (DCSA eBL commitment), and GSBN has proven real eBL issuance and multi‑document digital flows—this is not hypothetical. (dcsa.org)
Standards momentum is strong: EPCIS 2.0 (JSON‑LD, sensor, REST), VC 2.0 (now a W3C Recommendation), and Sunrise 2027 for 2D POS scanning are all locked in. (gs1.org)

Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

Boiling the ocean: Start with one SKU and two suppliers; don’t try to model your whole catalog before you see event data flowing.
Mixing consumer and regulator views: Use your Digital Link resolver to route audiences to scoped views; do not expose internal EPCIS payloads. (gs1us.org)
Over‑sharing on chain: Put proofs/hashes on chain, not raw business records. Use private data collections or ZK proofs for sensitive terms. (lf-decentralized-trust.github.io)
Ignoring label lead times: 2D migration touches packaging, QA, and POS; plan 6–12 months for dual marking and scanner certification. (gs1us.org)

When Blockchain Is (and Isn’t) Worth It

Use a blockchain layer when:

Multi‑party data must be tamper‑evident and independently verifiable over years (recalls, audits, trade docs).
You need cross‑company privacy (e.g., ZK proofs of compliance). (ey.com)

Skip it when:

You’re exchanging bilateral EDI with no external attestations, or when a simple EPCIS repository plus access controls meets the requirement.

What 7Block Labs Delivers

A production‑grade EPCIS 2.0 data plane mapped to your systems.
A GS1 Digital Link resolver and UX that serves consumer, regulator, and B2B views.
A minimal blockchain trust layer with the right privacy posture (Fabric LTS or Nightfall). (lf-decentralized-trust.github.io)
VC 2.0 credentialing for certs and lab results. (w3.org)
A 90‑day pilot that achieves sub‑5‑second tracebacks, sortable FDA files, POS‑scannable 2D, and (if relevant) eBL linkage.

If you’re staring down FSMA 204, EU DPP, Sunrise 2027, and eBL adoption, you don’t need four programs—you need one interoperable stack. The architecture above is how you get there, with measurable risk reduction and payback along the way.