GS1 Ireland’s Digital Link Demonstrator highlights the benefits of using GS1 standards and QR codes in construction projects.
The construction industry faces significant challenges in becoming more efficient, increasing safety, improving productivity, and lowering costs. New legislation is also fuelling a growing demand for consistent, accurate, and trusted data on the procurement and management of materials at every step of the supply chain.
Unique common identifier
The information must be detailed and correct, and be available throughout a project’s life cycle, from design to decommissioning. Products must have a unique common identifier that is understood by everyone and is interoperable, working across functions and systems over time.
GS1’s Global Trade Item Number or GTIN meets these requirements. The GTIN is a unique identifier for trade items, ensuring every product can be globally recognised. Other GS1 identifiers such as the GLN (Global Location Number) and GIAI (Global Individual Asset Identifier) can also be used to identify locations and assets respectively.
By providing stakeholders with a common language for capturing and sharing data on buildings, equipment and materials, GS1 standards have the power to improve visibility, traceability, sustainability and safety.
GS1 Ireland have developed a Digital Link Demonstrator to showcase some potential use cases made possible by the adaption of GS1 standards. The Demonstrator is a physical replica of a section of a wall and window in a building. Products used in the demonstrator are identified using their GTIN and information on each of the products can be accessed via a QR code powered by GS1Digital Link.
GS1 Digital Link is a method of encoding GS1 identifiers to enable the connection to online information. Use of the GS1 Digital Link standard means that identifiers such as the GTIN are now a gateway to useful information such as certifications, instructions for use, product information, traceability information and much more.
Using QR codes powered by GS1 means you’re not only providing a URL for people to scan, but you’re also providing GS1 identifiers. This means that the link can be used to access a number of different digital information sources depending on the use case.
For construction and engineering, a core strength of the GS1 Digital Link lies in its ability to create a seamless, audit-proof record of every interaction involving "Core Maintainable Assets." Each human interaction—be it an installation, inspection, repair, or upgrade—automatically updates the asset’s digital history. This ensures traceability, transparency, and accountability across the asset’s lifecycle.
Golden thread of data
With GS1 standards, every action is captured in a frictionless, efficient manner, providing a golden thread of data that is invaluable for compliance, sustainability reporting, and operational excellence.
For example, an architect could scan the QR code on a window to access the data sheet or digital product data from the manufacturer to ensure the window meets their requirements. The installer of the window could scan the same QR code to access handling instructions and health and safety information to install the window.
An occupant of a building could scan the QR code to report an issue with the window, such as a broken handle. A service engineer receives the report and can scan the same QR code to get information on which spare handle to use as a replacement, instructions on how to safely carry out the repairs, and can mark the job as complete, updating the service history of the window.
By adopting GS1 Standards and QR codes powered by GS1, the construction industry can bridge gaps in data management, ensure compliance with evolving regulations, and deliver safer, more sustainable projects. The GS1 Digital Link Demonstrator highlights a future where 'one scan' unlocks endless possibilities, and every interaction is captured for perpetual value.
Take a look at a video and see our demonstrator in action; for more information visit gs1ie.org