{"title":"QR Code \u0026 Digital Product Passport Labels","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhy textile brands are adding QR codes now\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, \u003cstrong\u003eRegulation (EU) 2024\/1781 (ESPR)\u003c\/strong\u003e, entered into force in July 2024. It allows the European Commission to set product-specific requirements through delegated acts, including a \u003cstrong\u003eDigital Product Passport (DPP)\u003c\/strong\u003e: a digital record of a product, reached through a data carrier on the product itself. Textiles and apparel are among the first priority groups in the Commission's ESPR working plan for 2025–2030.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt the time of writing, the Commission indicates that the delegated act for textiles is planned for adoption around the fourth quarter of 2027, with guidance and technical specifications to follow. The obligation itself is expected to apply some time after adoption — commonly estimated at around 18 months, so not before 2028–2029 — and the exact data requirements, data carrier rules and dates are still to be decided. We will update this page as the legislation develops; please check the official sources before making compliance decisions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"et-note\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is already clear: the passport will be linked to the product through a data carrier, typically a QR code, and that carrier will have to remain readable for the product's life. That is a label question — and something you can plan for today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData carriers\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eQR codes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe most likely default. A QR code can be woven, printed or heat-transferred, read with any smartphone, and costs almost nothing extra per piece. We recommend encoding a short, stable URL rather than long text so the symbol stays small and robust.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eNFC tags\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall chips that a phone reads by touch. They can be sealed into a woven label, a hang tag or a patch, and keep the outside design clean. Wash resistance depends on the tag encapsulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eRFID (UHF) tags\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsed mainly in supply chain and retail for stock counts and anti-theft. RFID can carry the same identifier as the QR code, so one product ID serves both logistics and the passport.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGS1 Digital Link\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA practical way to future-proof a QR code is \u003cstrong\u003eGS1 Digital Link\u003c\/strong\u003e: the code holds a web address built around your product's GTIN (the number behind your EAN barcode), optionally with batch or serial number. One code can open consumer information on a phone, deliver the passport data to authorities or recyclers, and in time be scanned at the checkout. If you already have GTINs, you are halfway there.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat a textile passport may contain\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe final list will be set in the delegated act, but discussions and the ESPR framework point towards information such as:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eunique product identifier and manufacturer\/importer details;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efibre composition and substances of concern;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ecare, repair and reuse instructions;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003edurability and recycled-content information;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eend-of-life, sorting and recycling guidance;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ecompliance documents and certificates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe physical label does not have to hold this data — it holds the link. Mandatory on-garment information, such as fibre composition under Regulation (EU) No 1007\/2011, still has to appear on the label itself; see our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/label-guide\/eu-care-label-requirements\"\u003eEU care label guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to place the code\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/care-labels\"\u003eCare label\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — the natural home: it stays on the garment, is already expected to survive washing and sits next to composition data. Printed satin or tape gives the sharpest QR.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/woven-labels\"\u003eWoven label\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — a woven QR code is extremely durable; it needs a larger module size because of thread resolution, so allow more space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/heat-transfer-labels\"\u003eHeat transfer\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — permanent and tagless; ideal for sportswear and babywear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hang-tags\"\u003eHang tag\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — good for marketing content and point-of-sale scans, but removed after purchase, so it should not be the only carrier for a passport.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDurability through washes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA code that fades after ten washes fails its purpose. We test QR codes on the chosen base material after washing and check contrast and quiet zone: dark code on a light background, no logo inside the quiet zone, and an error-correction level (M or Q) that tolerates minor wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQR code size guidance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"et-tablewrap\"\u003e\u003ctable class=\"et-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLabel technique\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended module size (mm)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTypical QR print size (mm)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrinted satin \/ tape care label\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.4–0.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12×12 to 15×15\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeat transfer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.5–0.6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15×15 to 20×20\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWoven label (high-density)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.7–1.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20×20 to 25×25\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHang tag \/ sticker (paper)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.4–0.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15×15 to 25×25\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eSizes assume a short URL (around 25–30 modules per side) plus a quiet zone of four modules on every side, which adds to the label space needed. GS1 guidance for retail QR codes gives a minimum module size of about 0.4 mm; textile surfaces need more margin than paper, which is why we recommend larger codes on fabric. Longer URLs mean more modules and a bigger code. Check our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/label-size-guide\"\u003elabel size guide\u003c\/a\u003e for full label dimensions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow we help you prepare\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the manufacturer, we can test which technique gives a reliable scan on your fabric, generate codes from your GTIN list or URL file, print serialised codes per item if needed, and combine the code with composition and care symbols in one layout. Our designers deliver a proof typically within 24–48 hours. Our minimum is usually 1,000 pcs per design, samples are available on request, and production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"et-cta\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlanning QR codes on your labels or preparing for the textile passport? Send us your label type and data, and we will test a scannable layout. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eRequest a quote\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"et-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhen will the Digital Product Passport be mandatory for textiles?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot yet. The European Commission indicates that the ESPR delegated act for textiles is planned for adoption around late 2027, and the obligation is expected to apply some time after that, commonly estimated at around 18 months. Exact dates and requirements are still to be decided.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhich data carrier will the textile passport use?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ESPR requires a data carrier on the product linked to the passport. A QR code is the most likely default; NFC and RFID are also being discussed. The textile delegated act will specify the rules.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow small can a QR code on a label be?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn printed fabric labels we recommend a module size of at least about 0.4 to 0.5 mm, giving a code of roughly 12 to 15 mm plus a quiet zone. Woven QR codes need larger modules, typically 20 to 25 mm overall.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWill a QR code on a care label survive washing?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, if the material and technique are chosen correctly. We test the code on the chosen base material after washing and use sufficient contrast, quiet zone and error correction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat is GS1 Digital Link?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eGS1 Digital Link is a standard for QR codes that contain a web address built around your product's GTIN. One code can serve consumer information, passport data and, over time, retail scanning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1047\/7106\/0089\/collections\/etiketi-qr-dpp-labels.webp?v=1792844792","url":"https:\/\/etiketi.eu\/collections\/qr-dpp-labels.oembed","provider":"Etiketi.eu","version":"1.0","type":"link"}