Digital identity

🪵 What Is a Timber Digital Identity?

A digital identity for timber is a structured, traceable dataset that follows a timber product from forest to final use. It supports:

• Authenticity & certification

• Sustainability tracking

• Regulatory compliance (e.g. EU Regulation 2024/3110)

• Consumer transparency

🔗 Core Technologies

1️⃣ QR Code Integration

• Each timber product or batch gets a unique QR code linking to its digital profile

• Scannable on-site for instant access to:

  • Origin and species

  • Certification (e.g. FSC, PEFC)

  • Declaration of Performance (DoP)

  • End-of-life instructions

2️⃣ XML Data Format

• Used to structure product data for interoperability

• Compatible with Digital Product Passports (DPPs) under EU CPR 2024/3110

• Includes:

  • Product metadata

  • Performance characteristics

  • Environmental data

  • Lifecycle stages

3️⃣ Blockchain (Optional but Powerful)

• Ensures tamper-proof traceability from forest to consumer

• Records:

  • GPS-tagged harvest data

  • Chain of custody

  • Processing and transport logs

  • Certification and audit trails

• Used by platforms like Xylene and Amazon Managed Blockchain

4️⃣ GitHub Prototype

• Open-source blockchain-based timber tracking systems are emerging, like this one

• Includes smart contracts for forest management, harvest verification, and chain of custody

🧠 Digital Identity Components

1️⃣ QR Code Label

• Printed or engraved on the beam

• Links to a cloud-hosted XML file containing:

  • Declaration of Performance (DoP)

  • Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

  • End-of-life instructions

  • Installation and safety guidelines

2️⃣ XML Product Passport

<TimberProduct>

  <ID>BEAM-C24-100x300x4000</ID>

  <Species>European Spruce</Species>

  <StrengthClass>C24</StrengthClass>

  <Dimensions>100x300x4000</Dimensions>

  <Treatment>Kiln-dried</Treatment>

  <Certification>FSC, CE</Certification>

  <DoP>https://example.com/dop/beam-c24.xml</DoP>

  <EPD>https://example.com/epd/beam-c24.pdf</EPD>

  <EndOfLife>

    <Reuse>Yes</Reuse>

    <Recycling>Suitable for particleboard</Recycling>

    <EnergyRecovery>Permitted</EnergyRecovery>

    <Landfill>Avoid</Landfill>

  </EndOfLife>

</TimberProduct>

3️⃣ Blockchain (Optional)

• Each beam’s harvest origin, processing steps, and transport logs are recorded on a blockchain ledger

• Ensures tamper-proof traceability and supports carbon accounting

• Platforms like Xylene or Amazon Managed Blockchain can be used

🏗️ Benefits

• ✅ Instant access to product data via QR scan

• ✅ Compliance with EU Regulation 2024/3110

• ✅ Supports circular economy and reuse

• ✅ Enhances trust and transparency for builders and inspectors