BSI Identify: New ID technology to bring transparency and product traceability through the built environment supply chain
15 November 2021
In response to Hackitt’s call for a ‘golden thread’ of transparency and accountability, BSI launches new identification technology for products to drive safety across the built environment industry’s supply chain.
BSI Identify harnesses Digital Object Identifier (DOI) technology to deliver a unique, constant, and interoperable identifier, called a BSI UPIN. It can be assigned to products to help UK manufacturers to directly manage information about their products in the supply chain.
Identify is being brought to the market by BSI in response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of The Building Regulations and Fire Safety. It called for “an identification system that could provide every component in a building with a unique and persistent identification code.”
The new DOI system allows product information to be identified and accessed with certainty and preserves a persistent record. It supports decisions at any point in a products’ life cycle; from manufacture, specification, procurement, installation, use, to de-commission or reuse.
Manufacturers can be reassured that their customers always have access to the most up to date information, as the UPIN directs users to a free, enduring and searchable registry where users can access all relevant product information, controlled by the manufacturer.
Dan Rossiter, Sector lead for built environment digital transformation standards at BSI said: “BSI is proud to bring the identification technology to the built environment to drive good practice around traceability and safety. It should have a transformative effect on how product information is exchanged by providing a robust and permanent solution for product traceability and information accountability.”
Construction Products Association (CPA) and representatives from across the built environment supply chain were involved in the development of the new ID system.
Peter Caplehorn, Chief Executive at CPA said: “Digitalization of the construction industry is essential to drive productivity, improve performance certainty, and ensure the robust verification of products and their information. The deployment and use of DOI in the product sector is long overdue and will inevitably lead to a step change in efficiency for construction and maintenance across the built environment. The CPA is delighted to be involved in this initiative and we see it as an important contribution towards the ‘Golden Thread’ of information called for in the Dame Judith Hackitt review.”
Adam Valentine, Content and Operations Director at Barbour said: “Barbour ABI is excited to partner with BSI for the launch of Identify. We recognize that this innovative technology will make the difference in digitization, standards and safety in the industry. By welcoming BSI Identify on to our Barbour Product Search platform, we are making it clear and easy for buyers and specifiers to make the right choices when it comes to choosing products. We’re looking forward to helping Identify become prevalent across the industry.”
