A QR code on a product is the simplest way for a customer, retailer or service technician to reach current product information. The code itself is only the door, though. Whether anyone uses it, and whether they find what they are looking for, depends on the page it leads to.
A permanent address comes first
The most important rule: the QR code should point to a permanent address that does not change when the data is updated. Labels, packaging and manuals are printed once, often in large runs. If the address changes, every printed code stops working. The page at that permanent address, however, should always show current data.
What belongs on the product page
Someone scanning the code usually wants to find one of a few things quickly:
- product identification: brand, model, catalog number, batch,
- material composition: what the product is made of and where the materials come from,
- documents: the manual, the declaration, safety information,
- certificates: with their validity dates, so it is clear they are current,
- manufacturer information and how to get in touch.
Ideally the page is available in the language of the person opening it. A customer in Germany should be able to read it in German.
What to keep inside the company
Not everything a company knows about a product should be public. Purchase prices, supplier details, internal test reports and working documents stay in-house. Decide up front which fields and documents are public and apply that rule to every product. Downloadable documents are best served through links that expire after a limited time, so they do not circulate without control.
Where to place the QR code
- Product label or rating plate: the code stays available throughout the product's life.
- Packaging: useful at purchase, but packaging usually ends up in the bin.
- Assembly or operating manual: a natural place when the customer is looking for information.
- Warranty card: useful for service and claims.
Choose a vector format such as SVG, so the code prints sharply at any size.
Do not publish incomplete pages
A QR code that leads to a page with gaps does more harm than having no code at all. So before publishing, check that the product has complete data, documents and valid certificates.
In DPPC, a product can only be published once its readiness score reaches 100 percent. Every published product gets a page at a permanent address and a QR code in SVG format, and fields, documents and certificates each have a visibility setting. Read more on our page QR Code Product Passport.