By Emma Herrod
Customers of Norwegian footwear brand Viking Outdoor Footwear will soon be able to scan a unique QR code on individual products to discover an item’s sustainability credentials as part of a trial of digital product passports (DPPs).
The brand’s test sees item-level QR codes in GS1’s Digital Link format added to labels on a number of shoes and garments in its spring/summer ranges, opening up product and sustainability information to customers. The DPPs will also enable new, circular services.
“Testing the use of DPPs in our footwear and apparel lines through unique QR code labels in GS1’s Digital Link format is changing the way we see data management and the possibilities to communicate with our customers,” says Head of Sustainability, Viking Outdoor Footwear Elin Carlsen.
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“DPP places new expectations on data handling in our value chain, but it also opens exciting new opportunities for our repair and take care strategy.”
The company says the DPPs will also provide the authenticity of Viking products while bolstering consumer confidence in the brand’s commitment to responsible sourcing and circularity.
The implementation, which is being carried out in partnership with end-to-end DPP solution providers Kezzler and Trimco Group, puts Viking ahead of most of the footwear industry as well as upcoming EU legislation mandating DPPs for traceability in the textile industry.
