Data Carrier
Definition
A linear bar code symbol, two dimensional symbol, or other automatic identification and data capture medium that can be read by a device and that encodes, or resolves to, the unique identifier of a product, batch or item.
Expanded Explanation
Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation the data carrier is the required physical link between an object and its passport data. It may be placed on the product itself, on its packaging or on accompanying documentation, depending on what the applicable delegated act allows for that product group.
Common carriers include the QR code, the GS1 DataMatrix, and radio frequency identification tags. The choice is an engineering decision constrained by durability, surface area, marking method, scanning distance and whether the item must be read individually. A carrier that survives the product’s service life matters for repair and recycling, where the passport is most useful and the label is most likely to be damaged.
Good practice is to encode a resolvable identifier rather than the data itself. The carrier then stays valid while the passport content is corrected or extended, and the same identifier can serve several audiences through one resolution service.
Why It Matters
Carrier decisions are difficult to reverse once products are in circulation. Printing a carrier that encodes a plain URL to a marketing page, or one whose identifier cannot be resolved by third party systems, produces a label that has to be reprinted rather than repointed.
Common Misconceptions
In almost all designs the carrier stores only an identifier or a link. The passport data lives in a system that can be updated, corrected and access controlled, which would be impossible if the data were frozen into the printed symbol.
Related Terms
Related Knowledge Base Articles
Related Articles
- QR Code
- GS1 Digital Link
- EPCIS
- GS1
- GTIN
- Harmonised Technical Specification
- Resolver
- QR Codes vs GS1 Digital Link: What’s the Difference?
See Also
References
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, Official Journal of the European Union: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj
- ISO/IEC 15459, Information technology, automatic identification and data capture techniques, unique identification: https://www.iso.org/standard/54779.html
- GS1 General Specifications: https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes-epcrfid-id-keys/gs1-general-specifications
About This Article
tieback Knowledge is a continuously maintained reference library covering Digital Product Passports, product traceability, product compliance and related regulations. Articles are reviewed regularly as legislation, standards and implementation guidance evolve.