What the QR code does
The QR code is a data carrier. It links a physical product to its passport so that anyone with a phone can reach it. For batteries, the Batteries Regulation requires a QR code from 18 February 2027.
What has to sit behind it
- structured and reliable product information, checked before it is published
- a persistent identifier for the product, so the link keeps working for as long as the product does
- access permissions, so each reader sees the right part of the record
- data that other systems can read, not only a web page
- long-term availability, including after a product is sold or a company changes provider
Depending on the product group, further information and technical capabilities may also be required.
Ask what happens to printed codes
A code is printed once and stays on the product for years. If it points to a provider's domain and you later change provider, the printed codes may stop working. Ask any provider where the identifier resolves, whether it can resolve on a domain you control, and what happens to existing codes if the contract ends.
AuditSci DPP is designed to support identification and resolution on a domain controlled by the business. Contact us to discuss availability and what it takes to set up.
What the code does not tell you
The code tells people where the passport is. Whether the passport is complete, correct and available years from now depends on the data and the process behind it. Our guide to what a Digital Product Passport is covers the whole record.
Sources
Not legal advice. This guide explains the regulations in plain language. The regulations themselves are the authority, and responsibility for conformity stays with the economic operator.