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Technical

QR Code & Digital Carrier Requirements

ESPR Article 10 mandates a physical data carrier on every regulated product. Here is exactly how GS1 Digital Link QR codes work, what specifications they must meet, and how to implement them.

Under ESPR Art. 10, every product requiring a DPP must carry a data carrier — a QR code, RFID tag, or equivalent — that provides direct access to the DPP. The default and recommended standard is a GS1 Digital Link QR code.

What are the technical requirements for a DPP data carrier?

A GS1 Digital Link QR code (ISO/IEC 18975), at least 10 × 10 mm on the product or 15 × 15 mm on packaging, with a four-module quiet zone, encoding a URI of the form https://id.gs1.org/01/{GTIN}/21/{serial}. It must remain scannable for the lifetime of the product.

ParameterRequired ValueNotes
StandardGS1 Digital Link (ISO/IEC 18975)The QR code encodes a GS1 Digital Link URI, enabling product-level data resolution.
QR VersionISO 18004 (any version)Error correction level H (30%) recommended for physical durability.
Min Size10 × 10 mm (product); 15 × 15 mm (packaging)ESPR Art. 10 minimum dimensions for scanability.
Quiet Zone4 modules on all sidesMandatory clear area around the QR code.
URI Formathttps://id.gs1.org/01/{GTIN}/21/{serialNo}The GS1 resolver maps the GTIN + serial to the DPP registry endpoint.
DurabilityMust remain scannable for product lifetimeUV-resistant inks or labelling required for outdoor/industrial products.
FallbackNFC / RFID / DataMatrix permittedAlternative carriers are allowed but QR code is the default requirement.
AccessPublicly accessible endpoint requiredThe resolved URL must return DPP data without login for market surveillance.

How does GS1 Digital Link work?

A GS1 Digital Link encodes product identity and a resolver URL into a single scannable code:

https://id.gs1.org/01/05412345000013/21/ABC123456
  • /01/05412345000013GTIN-14 — the product model identifier
  • /21/ABC123456Serial number — unique per physical unit (required for batteries)
  • id.gs1.orgGS1 global resolver — redirects to brand's own DPP endpoint

How do I add a data carrier to my product?

Six steps: obtain a GS1 Company Prefix, assign GTINs to your product models, build a DPP resolver, register in the EU DPP Registry, generate the GS1 Digital Link QR code, and apply it to the product or its packaging.

1
Obtain a GS1 Company Prefix
Register with GS1 (your national member organisation) to get a company prefix. This prefix forms the first part of every GTIN you assign.
2
Assign GTINs to Product Models
Assign a GTIN-14 to each unique product model. For serialisation (required for batteries), also assign a serial number per unit.
3
Build a DPP Resolver
Set up an HTTP endpoint (or use a third-party DPP platform) at https://id.gs1.org or your own domain that returns DPP data in JSON-LD when queried with a GTIN.
4
Register in the EU DPP Registry
Once the EU DPP Registry is live (expected 2026), register your resolver URL for each GTIN. The registry links to your endpoint.
5
Generate the GS1 Digital Link QR Code
Encode the full GS1 Digital Link URI (e.g. https://id.gs1.org/01/05412345000013/21/00001) as a QR code at ISO 18004 quality.
6
Apply to Product or Packaging
Print or label the QR code on the product itself or its primary packaging, respecting minimum size and quiet zone requirements.
Official Standards
GS1 Digital Link StandardView
ESPR Art. 10 — Data Carrier (EUR-Lex)View
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