Standards
IEC 61406 Identification Links for Machinery
What an IEC 61406 Identification Link is, how it differs from GS1 Digital Link and when to use it as the DPP identifier for industrial equipment.
Machinery, equipment and industrial components need a different kind of identifier from retail: one the manufacturer can issue itself, without a GTIN, and print on a nameplate. IEC 61406 Identification Link does exactly that, and is one of the schemes EN 18219 accepts.
What it looks like
The identifier is issued on a domain the manufacturer controls:
https://examplemachines.com/id/PMP-4500/SN/2026-00871The code is marked on the nameplate as a Data Matrix or QR. See Data Matrix and DPM.
Compared with GS1 Digital Link
| GS1 Digital Link | IEC 61406 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number source | GS1 (GTIN, GLN) | The manufacturer |
| Membership | GS1 membership required | Not required |
| Adoption | Retail, FMCG, textiles | Industry, machinery, automation |
| Structure | AI-based path | Free but rule-bound URL |
| Till compatibility | Yes | No |
See GS1 Digital Link and what a GTIN is.
The digital nameplate
For industrial equipment the natural starting point of a passport is the digital nameplate: manufacturer, model, serial number, year of manufacture, technical data and conformity information. IDTA's AAS submodel templates include Digital Nameplate, used alongside templates for carbon footprint, material composition and more. See AAS and Catena-X.
Which one, when?
- Selling into retail: GTIN plus GS1 Digital Link.
- Pure B2B equipment: IEC 61406 has less friction.
- Both: pick one as primary rather than carrying two identifiers, and keep the other as a mapping.
Preparation steps
- Plan your domain structure; the identifier must resolve for the product's lifetime.
- Put a resolver in place rather than printing direct links.
- Add the code and a readability test to the nameplate design.
- Synchronise serial number generation with ERP/MES.
Frequently asked questions
Is an IEC 61406 identity globally unique?
Because the domain is under your control, the domain plus path combination is unique. Domain persistence is the critical requirement.
Does EN 18219 accept it?
Yes, it is one of the permitted product identifier schemes.
What if I change my domain?
Printed codes break. That is why a separate, permanent identity domain (for example id.brand.com) is the safest approach.
