---
title: Data carrier
description: A data carrier is the physical, printed or attached link on a product — typically a QR code or NFC tag — that resolves to its Digital Product Passport when scanned. ESPR defines it as the standardised, openly readable way to connect a real product to its online passport.
canonical: "https://www.tracepass.eu/glossary/data-carrier"
locale: en
source: "https://www.tracepass.eu/glossary/data-carrier"
---

# Data carrier

> A data carrier is the physical, printed or attached link on a product — typically a QR code or NFC tag — that resolves to its Digital Product Passport when scanned. ESPR defines it as the standardised, openly readable way to connect a real product to its online passport.

A data carrier is the physical, printed or attached link on a product — typically a QR code or NFC tag — that resolves to its Digital Product Passport when scanned. ESPR defines it as the standardised, openly readable way to connect a real product to its online passport.

The data carrier is the bridge between atoms and bits: it carries no passport data itself, only a unique product identifier that points at where the passport lives online. ESPR (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781) requires this carrier to be present on the product, its packaging or its documentation, and to be based on an open, interoperable standard rather than a proprietary app.

In practice the carrier is usually a GS1 Digital Link QR code or an NFC tag encoding the same resolvable URL. The exact placement, format and durability rules for each product group are set by ESPR delegated acts. TracePass generates the GS1 Digital Link QR for every passport it publishes.

## FAQ

### Does the data carrier store the passport itself?

No. The carrier holds only a unique product identifier inside a resolvable URL; the passport data lives online and is fetched when the code is scanned. That keeps the printed carrier permanent while the passport behind it can be updated.

### Can the data carrier be something other than a QR code?

Yes. ESPR is technology-neutral about the carrier as long as it is an open, machine-readable standard — an NFC tag, RFID or data matrix can serve the same role. QR via GS1 Digital Link is the most common choice because one symbol works for both phones and back-end systems.

## Related terms

- [GS1 Digital Link](https://www.tracepass.eu/glossary/gs1-digital-link)
- [Digital Product Passport (DPP)](https://www.tracepass.eu/glossary/digital-product-passport)
- [ESPR](https://www.tracepass.eu/glossary/espr)
- [Unique product identifier (UPI)](https://www.tracepass.eu/glossary/unique-product-identifier)