BSI launched ‘BSI Identify’ back in 2021. Five years on this article retrospectively considers changes in the sector and considers the relevance of BSI Identify today.
As early as 2015, BSI has worked with the built environment sector to support access to good product information.
At its inception, BSI worked with RIBA Enterprises and Construction Products Association on a 2-year innovation UK project ‘Persistent Digital Identifiers for Construction Products’. This research project tested the premise of attributing persistent digital identifiers, like those for academic papers, to physical construction products.
The research showed promise that the machine readable digital object identifier (DOI), designed for longevity and actionable access to content over digital networks, could be used as a persistent identifier with its ability to:
- Outlast the organization who registered the project (i.e., a manufacturer);
- Outlast the organization who created the registration (i.e., BSI itself); and
- Scale to handle a sufficient number of identifiers and resolutions to capture the number and breadth of different products used in the built environment.
2018: Building a Safer Future
Whilst undertaking research and development for BSI Identify, the UK bore witness to the Grenfell tower tragedy in 2017, where 72 individuals lost their lives.
Within Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review the following year several recommendations were made relating to consistent labelling, digital records, transfer of information throughout the lifecycle of HRBs, as well as the need to store product information within these records. BSI’s research was cited within Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review.
2021: BSI Identify Launch
Working with founding partners, BSI Identify was launched in 2021. The concept at the time was clear. BSI Identify was designed to:
- Help identify construction products in situ; and
- Help anyone access relevant construction product information.
BSI Identify was well placed to tackle these goals with DOI as its persistent resolvable identifier, which it refers to as UPIN (universal product identification number). UPIN, unlike traditional hyperlinks which break over time, are maintainable and remain persistent.
This means that a link to, for example, an installation guide could be maintained, with confidence, for the life of a building.
2021: Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI)
Alongside BSI Identify, the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) also launched in 2021.
Built around the need for construction product information to be clear, accurate, up-to-date, accessible & unambiguous CCPI aligned well with BSI Identify. BSI Identify can help manufacturers achieve parts of CCPI relating to version control, documentation, information availability, and technical helpline details.
Further information around the relationship between BSI Identify and CCPI can be found here.
2021: The Golden Thread Report
A big year for construction product information, 2021 also saw the release of the BRAC golden thread report , which called for accessible and durable product information. Building on this work, we saw the publication of:
- The HRB (Key building information) (England) Regulations 2023 which required delivery of prescribed information relating to products that constituted the external façade, structure, and staircases; and
- The building (HRB procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 which required that golden thread information (which included information on risks relating to construction products) be: in an electronic format; capable of being transferred electronically; available in a readable format.
With its flexible structure, records on BSI Identify are able to capture a myriad of documentation. As such, prescribed information (e.g., façade material) and use/risk related information could be attributed. Via the UPIN, this information would be in an electronic, transferable and readable format, satisfying the requirements of these statutory instruments.
2024: CPR & DPP
In 2024, the EU published its updated Construction Product Regulations, within it requires that:
- Products have a “unique identification code”; and
- Digital product passports for construction products shall utilize a “persistent unique identification code”.
Under CEN JTC/24, work has been underway to develop a suite of standards relating to digital product passports. Within these standards there is recognition of DOI, alongside GTIN and DID as suitable identifiers.
Given the versatility of the UPIN, it could act as both the product’s unique identification code whilst also supporting connectivity to the relevant digital product passports; acting as its persistent unique identification code.
2026: PAS 2000 & General Safety Requirements
This year BSI - sponsored by OPSS - published PAS 2000, a code of practice for bringing safe products to market. BSI Identify supports:
- Clause 8 by being able to capture information relating to the safe construction, installation, and use of products; and
- Clause 9 through the ability to convey corrective action, such as product recall, can be recorded against the product record.
2026: Construction Product Reform Whitepaper
Another busy year for construction products, 2026 saw the publication of MHCLG’s white paper on construction product reform . BSI Identify was cited within Chapter 2 as a welcomed sector initiative.
Chapter 7 in particular, relates to clear accessible information with 7.2.1 states the characteristics for good information. BSI Identify can support a manufacturer in ensuring their information is: accessible, up-to-date, accurate and verifiable; and traceable.
In addition, 7.3.2 (for UKCA) and 7.3.2 (for GSR products) talk about the type of information that needs to be available, including installation guidance, certification and safety evidence. BSI Identify has the capability to support these types of information and already does so for several products on the platform.
2026 and Beyond
For the past 10 years BSI have considered how to support the sector to realize the challenges relating to the identification of construction products as well as access to relevant construction product information.
During this period BSI have developed BSI Identify as a freely accessible hub for construction product information. Whilst we recognize that there is no panacea, we have aimed to develop a service which supports manufacturers to realize their duties, support the manufacturers journey to digitalize, as well as to provide operational benefits.
With further regulatory changes expected, an incoming single regulator, and the implementation of digital product passports BSI is committed to ensure BSI Identify remains the helpful service which, in its most basic form:
- Helps identify construction products in situ; and
- Helps anyone access relevant construction product information.
If you’d like to learn more about BSI Identify, please contact Ross Matthews. Ross.Matthews@bsigroup.com
