GS1 2D Codes: Paving the Way for Increased Productivity in Building and Construction

03 July 2025

The global construction industry is a complex landscape characterised by both opportunities and challenges. While growth is expected, firms must navigate evolving market dynamics to stay competitive and successful.

According to McKinsey, if the building and construction sector maintains its current demand levels it could grow by as much as 70% by 2040. It is, however, unlikely to achieve this, with forecasts also indicating that global construction output could lag behind demand by a staggering USD 40 trillion by 2040.

Several factors contribute to this productivity lag, including labour shortages and an overreliance on outdated processes, with the latter exacerbating the former. Moving away from traditional manual processes and adopting more innovative, efficient ways of working is therefore critical if the industry is to overcome both productivity and output challenges.

Technology could play a central role in increasing efficiency, but solutions must be easy to embrace and scalable. Rob Ellinor, Programme Manager (Strategic Business), Domino Printing Sciences, examines how 2D codes powered by GS1 could provide a relatively simple, standards-based, and universally accepted solution to addressing challenge and complexity.

Productivity & digitisation

The building and construction sector globally has shown poor productivity performance. Between 2000 and 2022, the industry’s productivity improved by just 10%, significantly lagging behind the manufacturing sector (90%) and the global economy (50%).

On the plus side, McKinsey reports that an average increase in output of just 1% per annum could be enough to meet future demands - but change needs to happen quickly. With upcoming global and EU legislation focused on enhancing building safety and promoting sustainability and waste reduction, maintaining current practices is no longer an option.

Most likely not coincidental to its poor productivity, the building and construction sector also lags behind in its digitisation efforts: the industry globally spends an average of less than 1% of revenues on IT infrastructure development.

The heavy reliance on manual processes – including paper-based tracking and manual data entry – inevitably results in errors, delays, and unnecessary waste. In contrast, adopting digital tools and technologies can help reduce these operational inefficiencies, ultimately driving productivity and enabling the meeting of demand.

Introducing 2D codes

Inefficient resource management, primarily due to the reliance on the aforementioned manual processes and paper-based documentation, is a significant contributor to errors on construction sites. Facing incomplete, inconsistent, or non-existent data on materials on site or throughout the wider supply chain, construction firms have no insight into how materials are being used, what surplus or deficit they might face, and the amount of waste being generated.

Indeed, the UK-based Get It Right Initiative estimates that the direct cost of construction errors in the UK could be between 5% and 25% of the total cost of construction projects, or between GBP 5 billion and 25 billion per year.

This is where the introduction of 2D codes – such as QR codes powered by GS1 – on pallets, packs, and individual building products could help construction workers, including builders, engineers, architects, and site managers, manage resources more effectively, reduce errors and waste, and increase productivity.

GS1 2D codes in building and construction

2D codes powered by GS1 enable products to be identified using universal identifiers, such as the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). This provides all stakeholders involved in a project with access to consistent and accurate product information supplied directly from the manufacturer.

At the most basic level, scanning a 2D code powered by GS1 on pallets, packs, or individual items can help ensure that the right product is delivered and accepted on-site, reducing the chance of errors and improving operational efficiency. In parallel, it facilitates the immediate return of incorrect items to the original supplier, reducing waste and addressing supply issues before they adversely affect a project’s timelines. The addition of 2D codes can also help workers access critical details, including product specifications and storage requirements, without relying on paper-based documentation, thereby further reducing waste.

Finally, project managers can integrate data from 2D codes powered by GS1 into a project’s Building Information Model (BIM) – a project’s digital representation. Workers equipped with mobile devices can scan codes attached to building materials, ensuring that product specifications match those included in the BIM rather than relying solely on manual identification.

Instant verification of products using the BIM can be beneficial when dealing with materials that have similar uses but different gradings – e.g. different thicknesses of fireproof plasterboard. A worker can quickly verify that the right product is being used, minimising the risk of mistakes and subsequent rework.

Looking ahead, 2D codes powered by GS1 will prove crucial in helping businesses to navigate existing, new, and upcoming regulations and compliance obligations related to building safety and project sustainability, including:

· UK ‘Golden Thread’ of data for higher-risk buildings

· EU Harmonised Acts for building products, and subsequent EU Construction Products Regulation

· ISO 19650 relating to ‘data quality’ of construction projects

Paving the way forward

The addition of 2D codes powered by GS1 on building materials isn’t an automatic route to success. However, as GS1 codes and identifiers are easy to use once deployed, as well as universally understood, their initial impact on a project’s productivity, waste reduction, and output will lay the foundation for broader application and digitisation efforts in the future.

Over time, the technology’s presence on building and construction materials will help the sector achieve far greater levels of interoperability and data sharing – between businesses, along supply chains, between regulators, and across borders.

By embedding product information within scannable 2D codes, building and construction materials manufacturers can support this journey, addressing challenges and complexity and helping the industry successfully navigate global market dynamics.

<ENDS>

Disclaimers

Inks
The information contained in this document is not intended as a substitute for undertaking appropriate testing for your specific use and circumstances. Neither Domino UK Limited nor any of Domino’s group of companies is in any way liable for any reliance that you may put on this document with regards to the suitability of any ink for your particular application. This document does not form part of any terms and conditions between you and Domino, Legal Disclaimers v.1.0 February 2018 and Domino’s Terms and Conditions of sale, and in particular the warranties and liabilities contained within them, shall apply to any purchase of products by you.

General
Information contained within this press release is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication by Domino, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information. All performance related figures and claims quoted in this document were obtained under specific conditions and may only be replicated under similar conditions. For specific product details, you should contact your Domino Sales Advisor. This document does not form part of any terms and conditions between you and Domino.

Imagery
Images may include optional extras or upgrades. Print quality may differ depending on consumables, printer, substrates, and other factors. Images and photographs do not form any part of any terms and conditions between you and Domino.

Videos
This video is illustrative only and may include optional extras. Performance figures obtained under specific conditions; individual performance may vary. Errors and downtime on production lines may be unavoidable. Nothing in this video forms part of any contract between you and Domino.

Notes to Editors:

About Domino

Since 1978, Domino Printing Sciences (Domino) has established a global reputation for the development and manufacture of coding, marking, and printing technologies, as well as its worldwide aftermarket products and customer services. Today, Domino offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of complete end-to-end coding solutions designed to satisfy the compliance and productivity requirements of manufacturers across many sectors, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial. The company’s core technologies include innovative inkjet, laser, print and apply, and thermal transfer overprinting systems designed for the application of variable data, barcodes, and unique traceability codes onto product and packaging.

Domino employs over 3,000 people worldwide and sells to more than 120 countries through a global network of 29 subsidiary offices and more than 200 distributors. Domino’s manufacturing facilities are located in China, Germany, India, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the USA.

Domino became an autonomous division within Brother Industries Ltd. on 11th June 2015.

For further information on Domino, please visit www.domino-printing.com

Or contact:

Alex Challinor
PR and Content Manager
Domino Printing Sciences
Tel: +44 (0) 1954 778780
Alex.Challinor@domino-uk.com

Mahmoud Al Sabbagh
General Manager
Domino Dubai
Tel: +97148835003
Email: sales@domino-mea.com