--- title: "Sri Lanka Extends Barcode Grace Period for Medicines: What MAHs Need to Know" description: Sri Lanka's NMRA extends barcode compliance grace period for medicines till Dec 2025. MAHs must act now to meet dual barcode + sticker packaging rules. image: https://blog.cosmotrace.com/hubfs/Srilanka%20Barcode%20Medicines%20-%20Jul%2018%20-%20Featured%20Image.jpg --- +44 203 097 1597 [info@cosmotrace.com](mailto:info@cosmotrace.com) - - - - [![Cosmotrace](https://blog.cosmotrace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CosmoTrace_Oct2021/images/cosmotrace-2.png?width=630&height=209&name=cosmotrace-2.png "Cosmotrace")](https://www.cosmotrace.com/) - [Home](https://www.cosmotrace.com/) - [About Us](https://www.cosmotrace.com/about-us/) - [Careers](https://www.cosmotrace.com/pages/careers/) - [Services](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/) - Compliance Focused - [Misalignment Exceptions Management (US DSCSA)](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/misalignment-exceptions-management-us-dscsa/) - [EU Alert Management](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/eu-alert-management/) - [Middle East Serialization Consulting](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/middle-east-serialization-consulting/) - [China Reporting Services](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/china-reporting-services/) - Business Operations Focused - [Master Data Management](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/master-data-management/) - [Trade Partner Onboarding](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/trade-partner-onboarding/) - [Level 4 System Validation](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/level-4-system-validation/) - [Serialization System Health Check](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/serialization-system-health-check/) - Business Processes Outsourcing - [Managed Services CoE](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/managed-services-coe/) - [US DSCSA Ti Digitization](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/us-dscsa-ti-digitization/) - [Our Solutions](https://www.cosmotrace.com/solutions/) - [Traceware](https://www.cosmotrace.com/solutions/traceware/) - [nTrack](https://www.cosmotrace.com/solutions/ntrack/) - [Clients](https://www.cosmotrace.com/clients/) - [Blog](https://www.cosmotrace.com/blog/) - [Serialization](https://www.cosmotrace.com/blog/serialization) - [Digital](https://www.cosmotrace.com/blog/digital) - [News](https://www.cosmotrace.com/blog/news/) - [Contact](https://www.cosmotrace.com/contact-us/) - - - - - [Home](https://www.cosmotrace.com/) - [About Us](https://www.cosmotrace.com/about-us/) - [Careers](https://www.cosmotrace.com/pages/careers/) - [Services](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/) - Compliance Focused - [Misalignment Exceptions Management (US DSCSA)](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/misalignment-exceptions-management-us-dscsa/) - [EU Alert Management](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/eu-alert-management/) - [Middle East Serialization Consulting](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/middle-east-serialization-consulting/) - [China Reporting Services](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/china-reporting-services/) - Business Operations Focused - [Master Data Management](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/master-data-management/) - [Trade Partner Onboarding](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/trade-partner-onboarding/) - [Level 4 System Validation](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/level-4-system-validation/) - [Serialization System Health Check](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/serialization-system-health-check/) - Business Processes Outsourcing - [Managed Services CoE](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/managed-services-coe/) - [US DSCSA Ti Digitization](https://www.cosmotrace.com/our-services/us-dscsa-ti-digitization/) - [Our Solutions](https://www.cosmotrace.com/solutions/) - [Traceware](https://www.cosmotrace.com/solutions/traceware/) - [nTrack](https://www.cosmotrace.com/solutions/ntrack/) - [Clients](https://www.cosmotrace.com/clients/) - [Blog](https://www.cosmotrace.com/blog/) - [Serialization](https://www.cosmotrace.com/blog/serialization) - [Digital](https://www.cosmotrace.com/blog/digital) - [News](https://www.cosmotrace.com/blog/news/) - [Contact](https://www.cosmotrace.com/contact-us/) - - - - # Sri Lanka Extends Barcode Grace Period for Medicines: What MAHs Need to Know Jul 18, 2025 | ![Sri Lanka Extends Barcode Grace Period for Medicines: What MAHs Need to Know](https://blog.cosmotrace.com/hubfs/Srilanka%20Barcode%20Medicines%20-%20Jul%2018%20-%20Featured%20Image.jpg) The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) of Sri Lanka has issued a key update for Marketing Authorization Holders (MAHs) regarding the use of barcodes on pharmaceutical products. In a move to support smoother implementation, the NMRA has officially extended the grace period for product-specific barcode compliance until the end of 2025. Here’s what you need to know—and how to stay compliant. ## Grace Period Extension: Key Dates The extended grace period for barcode implementation now runs from: May 31, 2025 till December 31, 2025 This means MAHs have an additional seven months to ensure their pharmaceutical packaging complies with NMRA barcode requirements. ## Accepted Barcode Format: 2D Data Matrix During this grace period, the NMRA will accept a 2D Data Matrix barcode that includes the following mandatory information: 1. Product Code 2. Lot (Batch) Number 3. Manufacturing Date 4. Expiry Date 5. Serial Number Other relevant data elements as needed This format aligns with global serialization standards and supports enhanced traceability and patient safety. ### Sticker Requirements Still Apply It’s important to note that the existing requirement to display a non-removable printed sticker remains in full effect. All medicine packages must still carry a sticker that includes: 1. “NMRA Approved” label 2. Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) details 3. Retail price ***The barcode does not replace the sticker; both must be present on each retail pack.*** ### Compliance Checklist for MAHs Here’s what pharmaceutical companies and MAHs should focus on between now and December 31, 2025: 1. **Update Packaging Systems** Ensure your packaging lines are equipped to print or affix 2D Data Matrix barcodes with all required data fields. 1. **Continue Sticker Application** Do not discontinue or alter the NMRA-approved retail price sticker, this remains a legal requirement. 1. **Train Teams & Partners** Inform internal QA teams, packaging personnel, and third-party manufacturers or distributors about the dual requirement (barcode + sticker). 1. **Prepare for Full Compliance** This grace period is temporary. Use the time to transition your systems toward long-term serialization and traceability compliance. #### What This Means for the Industry This extension provides MAHs with much-needed flexibility, particularly for companies upgrading their packaging and serialization infrastructure. However, the NMRA has made it clear that compliance will be strictly enforced after December 2025. With global regulatory bodies increasingly mandating traceability, Sri Lanka’s NMRA is aligning local standards with international best practices paving the way for a safer, more transparent pharmaceutical supply chain. ##### Final Thoughts MAHs should view this as an opportunity, not a delay. While the extended grace period offers short-term relief, the long-term direction is clear: serialization, traceability, and regulatory alignment. By acting now, companies can avoid last-minute compliance hurdles and position themselves for future market readiness. Need help auditing your packaging lines, creating a compliance roadmap, or drafting a supplier notification? Feel free to reach out we’re here to support your global traceability efforts. [Book a free consultation call](https://services.cosmotrace.com/sri-lanka-barcode-grace-period-extension) #### Search #### Recent Posts - [Egypt’s Pharmaceutical Track and Trace - From 2019 Pilot to 2025 Nationwide Mandate](https://blog.cosmotrace.com/serialization/egypt-pharma-traceability-2025-mandate) - [Algeria’s 2027 Pharmaceutical Serialization & Aggregation](https://blog.cosmotrace.com/serialization/algeria-2027-pharmaceutical-serialization-aggregation) - [Serialization and Traceability in the Middle East: Navigating a Complex Compliance Landscape](https://blog.cosmotrace.com/serialization/middle-east-serialization-traceability-compliance) - [DSCSA Enforcement Timeline: What Trading Partners Need to Know in 2025](https://blog.cosmotrace.com/serialization/dscsa-enforcement-timeline-2025) - [Ethiopia’s Latest Pharma Serialization & Traceability Update: Key Deadlines for Exporters](https://blog.cosmotrace.com/serialization/ethiopia-pharma-serialization-export-deadlines-2025) - - - - © 2020 CosmoTrace - part of ZeeInx Group