– This isn’t going away. Quite the opposite. Now is the time to get started, says Knut Mathisen of GS1 Norway.
By 2030, digital product passports (DPPs) will be rolled out across a wide range of sectors in the EU – and the construction industry is no exception. In fact, the sector may stand to gain more than most: not just through compliance, but through better insight, greater control, and smarter use of product data.
– For construction, DPPs represent both a challenge and a major opportunity, says Knut Mathisen, who heads the construction sector at GS1 Norway. – Requirements around traceability, data quality and structure are coming – and while they may seem demanding, those who act early will gain a competitive edge.
GS1’s role: Connecting the data
GS1 is best known for the barcode that beeps at the checkout. But today, the organisation manages a global system of standards for product identification, tracking and information sharing – across industries and borders.
– A digital product passport needs unique identifiers and data carriers. That’s where GS1’s standards fit perfectly, says Mathisen. – We’re not a database; we’re an enabler. Our identifiers and structures allow information – like an EPD, for instance – to be linked to the right product and shared throughout the value chain.
A fragmented industry needs collective effort
According to Mathisen, the construction sector’s biggest challenge is the fragmented nature of the value chain – and the uneven approach to data among different actors.
– Some companies are well organised, while others are still far behind. But for DPPs to deliver value, everyone needs to be on board – it’s not enough if just one part of the chain has their data in order.
Hans-Martin Wehler, Key Account & Partner Manager at LCA.no, sees the same pattern:
– Many still believe that a generic EPD is enough, but without traceability to the actual product, it falls short. That’s why we recommend starting early with fully verified, third-party EPDs. This gives you control over your environmental data, strengthens your market position and lays the groundwork for improvement across the value chain.
Read more about Digital Product Passport here
Not just compliance – also commercial value
Although DPPs are primarily being driven by regulation, more and more businesses are recognising the commercial value of structured product data.
– Contractors and developers are already demanding environmental data to meet requirements under laws like the Transparency Act and the CSRD, says Mathisen. – Companies with data ready to go will be attractive partners.
And the benefits aren’t limited to external reporting. High-quality data also improves internal decision-making:
– Companies that work systematically with EPDs gain valuable insight into their supply chains and can make better decisions faster, says Wehler.
Milestones are approaching – start now
The first product categories to be affected by DPP requirements in the EU include steel and cement. And although it may take time for the regulations to be formally implemented in Norway, their effects will be felt much sooner.
– Many think they have more time than they really do – but that’s a risky assumption. Norwegian companies already trade with the European market, and that means EU rules apply, says Mathisen. – In two to three years, the first requirements will be in place. Waiting until then is too late.
The standards exist – but are still evolving
GS1 is actively working on adapting its global standards to support DPPs, including use cases for project-specific and made-to-order products.
– Most things can already be achieved with existing systems, but we continue to refine them as the requirements take shape, says Mathisen. – It’s important to remember that we don’t create the content – we make sure it flows correctly.
Advice to manufacturers: Start piloting now
Mathisen’s message to manufacturers is clear:
– Get started. Test things internally. Run small pilots with your customers and suppliers. It doesn’t have to be complex – just take a look at how your data fits together. That way, you’ll be ready when the rules arrive.
– We’re currently working with GS1 and Byggtjeneste to develop a DPP prototype for the construction sector. Taking part in such initiatives is a great way to stay ahead, adds Wehler.
In summary:
The DPP rollout is coming fast. Those who start now will gain a head start on both the market and compliance.
Digital Product Passports (DPPs) will become mandatory in the EU – and construction is among the first sectors to be affected.
GS1’s global standards enable data structure and traceability across the value chain.
EPDs and DPPs must be connected – generic environmental data isn’t enough.
High data quality builds both regulatory trust and business value.