Whilst the challenges surrounding material quality, skills shortages and project delivery have been the UK construction industry’s core focus for decades, there’s a deeper, more fundamental issue holding us back. It’s something that, if resolved, could help overcome these problematic issues: the way we handle data. Dr Stephen Hamil reports.
Under the EU’s CPR 20241, DPPs will become mandatory for key product categories. This means that for materials like concrete, steel and insulation, manufacturers will need to provide a digital passport containing technical specifications, safety and performance data, and environmental metrics (e.g. carbon footprint and recyclability guidance).
The real value of DPPs is their ability to break down the data silos that have plagued our industry for decades. Even today, with the knowledge and technology at our fingertips, product data is often buried in PDFs, proprietary databases, or even paper documents. Each project team might maintain its own records, with little consistency or interoperability.
By contrast, DPPs, built on shared, machine-readable standards, enable information to flow seamlessly across the supply chain. When a designer specifies a product, for example, they can instantly access up-to-date, verified data. Contractors and installers also benefit from clear instructions and compliance evidence.
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