What does data carrier mean in a product passport?
A data carrier is the machine-readable carrier through which a product passport becomes reachable. ESPR describes linear barcode symbols, two-dimensional symbols or other automatic identification media that a device can read.
The data carrier is not the product passport itself. It points to persistent product identity and opens the right digital context for consumers, business partners, authorities or recyclers.
QR code, GS1 DataMatrix or NFC?
The right choice depends on the product, scan context and delegated act. QR codes with GS1 Digital Link are easy for consumers to scan, while GS1 DataMatrix is established in regulated and industrial product identification.
For DPP projects, the symbol is only one part of the decision. Teams also need to plan print quality, placement, redirects, resolvers, access rights and whether the carrier references a product model, a batch or an individual item.
- QR code: strong for smartphone scanning and public product information.
- GS1 DataMatrix: strong for supply-chain and regulated product identification.
- NFC or RFID: useful when contactless or industrial processes matter more.
How does Nulara plan data carriers?
Nulara treats the data carrier as part of the publication and governance layer. Before anything is printed, teams define the identifier granularity, which data is public and which content must remain protected.
That lets a company keep already packaged products addressable when new evidence, corrections or regulatory fields are added. The practical requirement is simple: the scan should keep working and point to current, structured data.
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