The role that GS1 can play in the further digitisation of the Irish AEC sector via the introduction of 'Digital-Link-Enabled 2D barcodes' on building and civil engineering projects.
As BIM and carbon management, coupled with field apps, become more commonly used by contractors and clients at the operational phase, the need for design and product validation is rapidly evolving.
Trustworthy product
This establishes an expectation for designers to provide validated, accessible, and trustworthy product and material data as part of every project, not just within the design office but also on the worksite, during construction, and throughout the subsequent commissioning and operational phases.
The industry must now adopt more innovative, digitally traceable solutions to meet faster delivery times, as well as higher standards of compliance, sustainability, and safety.
Enabling this transformation is the possibility of leveraging 2D barcoded assets and space tags powered by GS1 standards, which are further enhanced with the addition of the GS1 'Digital Link' standard.
This further enhancement to proven barcodes enables 'One Scan' to deliver multiple outcomes, depending on the trade profession or status of the person scanning the asset or space tag.
Traditional paper-based records or siloed digital systems are no longer sufficient, as misidentified or substituted products – particularly in critical systems such as increasingly sophisticated electromechanical plant items, structural steel, rebar, or fire-rated assemblies – pose significant risks to project integrity and client trust if their selection, procurement, installation are not tracked and traced correctly as part of QA systems.
The implementation of digital traceability standards will address these challenges while significantly improving project management, safety, quality control, and sustainability metrics, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency and productivity of the industry.
Undisputable building product identification using the widely used, interoperable, open and persistent GS1 Standards including QR codes powered by GS1 and/or RFID tags will also help address the problem of unauthorised substitution of inferior products to those specified by the design team.
QR-coded asset tags, powered by GS1, enable every 'Core Maintainable Asset (CMA)' identified in the AIR and AIM, and listed in the BEP under BIM to ISO 19650, will allow stakeholders to access installation instructions, batch numbers, certifications, EPDs, and other relevant information with a single scan. These digital capabilities are already trusted worldwide and are being rapidly adopted by forward-looking contractors and manufacturers.
By 2028, the EU will mandate 'Digital Product Passports' (DPPs) for some construction products. GS1 QR codes are designed to support this by enabling structured, persistent links to verified, up-to-date product data. This allows instant validation of CE marks, fire test results, warranty information, and ESG credentials.
Future-proof designs
As Ireland works towards EU-set GHG emission and net zero goals, engineers can future-proof designs against evolving carbon reporting and LEED V5/BREEAM V7 requirements – while automating the heavy lifting around material traceability.
According to RIBA's 2024 AI study, over half of architects expect to use AI to select materials based on cost, performance, and sustainability by 2027, with the aid of the introduction of EPD data within DPPs. Consequently, it is incumbent on manufacturers to act now, as their products will need to have a 'digital footprint' on the worldwide web.
Without this presence, their products will not be included for consideration on the AI-curated list of compliant products based on these AI-driven procurement tools.
The recommendations to the buyers will be dynamically developed based on the prescriptive and performance specifications inputted by design engineers and architects within the BIM-aided design processes.
As an everyday example, and since reinforced concrete is a dominant material used in buildings and civil engineering works, the table below illustrates how QR codes, powered by GS1, matter on the construction site.
About GS1 Ireland
For more than 50 years, the common language of GS1 standards has been transforming the way we work and live. Today, they power the supply chain of millions of organisations, allowing stakeholders across a broad range of industries to identify, capture and share data uniquely.
GS1 Ireland is a neutral, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to designing and implementing global standards and solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and visibility of supply chains across various sectors.
We are best known for providing unique numbers, data carriers such as barcodes, and information-sharing standards relevant to products, assets, locations, services, and processes.