What is "Sunrise-compliant"?

Sunrise compliant. This is a phrase that has been thrown around for quite sometime now, as far as discussions involving bar codes go, in particular the EAN code.

As you probably know (since you are reading a BLOG regarding bar codes) the EAN code (European Article Numbering System) is equivalent to the UPC code (Universal Product Code) accept that it is used just about everywhere outside of the United Stated and Canada. Previously, the EAN could not be scanned and used in the U.S. and Canada. That has now changed as of January 1st of this year.

Being "Sunrise-compliant" means that:

• All systems must scan, process, and store U.P.C. (UPC-A and UPC-E),
  EAN-13 and EAN-8 symbols
• All systems must accommodate varying length Company Prefixes

So why is this a BIG deal?

Retailer A and B both want to sell "over the seas" merchandise. Retailer A is and has been Sunrise-compliant since January 1st while retailer B has not yet insured that his systems meet Sunrise-compliant standards. So while retailer B struggles to get his systems up-to-par, retailer A can sell without worry, leaving his competitor behind.