Data & carriers
QR Code, NFC or RFID: DPP Data Carriers Compared
Data carriers for the Digital Product Passport: what EU law requires, how QR code, NFC and RFID differ, and how a GS1 Digital Link encodes the identifier.
GS1 Digital Link Builder
A GS1 Digital Link turns a product identifier into a web address that a 2D code can carry. Enter your domain and a GTIN: the builder validates the check digit, pads the GTIN to 14 digits, adds batch and serial number in the order the standard requires and explains each part of the result.
A domain you control long term, e.g. id.example.com. A path prefix is allowed.
8, 12, 13 or 14 digits including the check digit.
Application identifier 10, up to 20 characters.
Application identifier 21, up to 20 characters.
Your GS1 Digital Link
How the link is built
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
https://id.example.com | Your domain (resolver address) |
/01/09520123456788 | AI 01: GTIN, padded to 14 digits |
/10/ABC123 | AI 10: batch or lot |
- Identification level
- Batch: GTIN plus batch identifies a production lot.
- Canonical form (id.gs1.org)
https://id.gs1.org/01/09520123456788/10/ABC123
Checks
- Valid GTIN-14; check digit correct.
The link is only an address. It becomes part of a Digital Product Passport when it resolves to the passport data and the identifier is registered. Whether GS1 identifiers may be used for your product group is decided by the applicable legal act and standard.
How it works
Enter the domain the link should use. Pick one you will control for as long as the code is in circulation.
Enter the GTIN with its check digit. GTIN-8, GTIN-12 and GTIN-13 are padded to 14 digits automatically.
Add a batch or serial number only if you need batch-level or item-level identification.
Read the checks, copy the link and encode it in a 2D code with your labelling software.
FAQ
What is a GS1 Digital Link?
A standardised way to write GS1 identifiers, such as the GTIN, as a web address. The same link can be scanned by a phone and resolved to product information. The syntax is defined in the GS1 Digital Link Standard: URI Syntax.
Why is my GTIN padded with zeros?
In a Digital Link URI the GTIN is always written with 14 digits. Shorter formats such as GTIN-13 are filled with leading zeros; the check digit stays the same.
Does this tool generate a QR code?
No. It builds and checks the link. Use your labelling or artwork software to encode the link in a 2D code and to verify print quality.
Is a GS1 Digital Link enough for a Digital Product Passport?
No. The link is the identifier and address. A passport also needs the prescribed data, access rules, a back-up copy and registration, as defined by the legal act for the product group.
Can I use my own domain?
Yes. The standard allows custom domains. The canonical form uses id.gs1.org, which the tool shows for reference.
Related articles
Data & carriers
What Data Goes Into a Digital Product Passport?
Which data a Digital Product Passport contains: ESPR Annex III, battery Annex XIII, identifiers, access levels and what the EN 182xx standards add.
More tools
All tools| # | Tool | What it does | You enter | You get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DPP Scope & Timeline Checker | Pick a product group and your role to see whether a Digital Product Passport applies, from when, on which legal basis and how firm the date is. | Product group and your role | Status, date, legal basis and source | |
DPP Data Checklist Builder | Pick a product group and get a printable checklist of the data a Digital Product Passport is expected to contain, with final and non-final lists marked. | Product group | Printable list of passport data categories |