VITO and Codipack introduce Digital Product Passports to the construction sector.
QR codes driving digital product passports in the construction sector
On Friday 19 June, project partner VITO visited Codipack, an international specialist in coding, labelling and marking systems. The visit marked the launch of a joint testing campaign to evaluate currently available technologies and determine the most suitable method for applying digital product passport (DPP) markers to Circular-C products.
This collaboration marks an important step towards introducing DPPs in the construction sector and helps companies prepare for EU Regulation 2024/3110, which entered into force on 8 January 2026 and will progressively introduce digital product passport requirements.
DPP markers: linking products to their digital product passports
A DPP marker creates a permanent link between a physical product and its digitally stored product passport. Although several types of markers have sufficient data capacity to encode a GS1 Digital Link—a standardized method for product identification—only a few are widely adopted. Among standardized solutions such as QR codes, Data Matrix, RFID, and NFC, only QR codes and NFC tags can be scanned by virtually any camera-equipped device. This broad accessibility is essential to ensure that all stakeholders throughout a product’s lifecycle can access the information stored in its digital product passport.
Why choose QR codes?
The main difference between QR codes and NFC lies in the scanning distance. QR codes are scanned optically and can be read from a distance, whereas NFC requires the scanning device to be in close proximity to the tag. From a practical perspective, QR codes offer a more user-friendly solution. For this reason, VITO and Codipack have selected QR codes as the preferred format for DPP markers.
Designing a robust QR code
Several design considerations influence the size and robustness of a QR code.
Data capacity
For Circular-C products, the marker must contain information that identifies the product batch. Unique identification of individual products is not required, as the composition and material properties remain consistent within the same production batch.
Marker technologies under evaluation
Once the QR code specifications have been defined, the next step is selecting the most suitable printing or marking technology. Three options are currently being evaluated:
- Laser marking engraves the code directly onto the product surface. This method has the lowest material footprint but produces less contrast with the background, which may reduce readability on certain materials.
- Adhesive labels provide the highest colour contrast and the best scanning performance. Their durability depends on the quality of the adhesive. As part of the testing campaign, bio-based adhesives will be evaluated for their resistance to UV radiation, low temperatures, and high temperatures.
- Inkjet printing applies ink directly to the product surface. This technique offers better contrast than laser marking and is generally more resistant to wear and tear than adhesive labels.
Real-world testing within Circular-C
Over the coming months, VITO and Codipack will gather valuable insights into how these technologies can be tailored to the specific requirements of construction products. This work marks another important step for Circular-C towards the practical implementation of Digital Product Passports in the construction sector.
Discover Circular-C
Learn more about the project and how Circular-C is contributing to a more circular future for the construction sector.
