Standards
EN 18219: Unique Identifiers for the DPP
Which identifier schemes EN 18219 permits for products, economic operators and facilities — and how to choose the right one for your products.
EN 18219:2026 defines the unique identifiers used in a Digital Product Passport system: product, economic operator and facility identities. Published on 27 May 2026 as one of the first six DPP standards, it is positioned as the "key reference" the others build on.
Permitted product identifier schemes
| Scheme | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Web-enabled structured path (ISO/IEC 18975) | In practice GS1 Digital Link URIs | Retail, FMCG, textiles |
| IEC 61406 Identification Link | Self-issued URL-shaped identity | Industrial machinery and equipment |
| W3C DID | Decentralized identifier | VC-native ecosystems |
| ISO/IEC 15459 AIDC identifiers | RFID and 2D carrier identifiers | Logistics, batteries |
| DOI | Digital object identifier | Document-centric scenarios |
See GS1 Digital Link, IEC 61406 and DIDs.
Operator and facility identities
Who made the product and where must be identified as well. Common options:
- GLEIF LEI: a global legal entity identifier.
- GS1 GLN: a party and location number.
- EORI or VAT-based schemes: through customs and tax identities.
Recording facility identity as a coded identifier rather than a postal address makes every later integration easier. See DPP data fields.
Granularity
The standard allows identifiers at model, batch or item level. Which is required comes from the product-specific delegated act; batteries require item level. See choosing granularity.
Choosing a scheme
- Do you have a retail chain? If so, a GTIN-based Digital Link.
- Pure B2B equipment? IEC 61406 has less friction.
- What does your customer ecosystem use? Automotive expects AAS/Catena-X.
- How will you guarantee persistence? Domain and resolver strategy. See what a resolver service is.
Frequently asked questions
Can I carry more than one identifier?
Technically yes, but choose one as primary and keep the other as a mapping. Two equivalent identities look like two separate passports.
Can I change the identifier later?
Not for products already printed. Scheme selection is therefore one of the earliest and most permanent decisions in the project.
Can I use my internal product code?
Not on its own, because it is not globally unique; it has to be placed inside one of the permitted schemes.
