Question 1

What is PlaybookOS?

Accepted Answer

PlaybookOS is software that helps food and drink brands create scannable product passports. You upload your product details — farm origin, ingredients, certificates, batch numbers — and we generate a GS1 Digital Link QR code that links to a verifiable record. The record is anchored on the IOTA blockchain so retailers, auditors, and consumers can verify it themselves.

Question 2

Do I need technical knowledge to use PlaybookOS?

Accepted Answer

No. If you can fill in a form, you can use PlaybookOS. There is no coding, no blockchain expertise, and no IT team required. Most food brands are fully set up in under 48 hours.

Question 3

How long does setup take?

Accepted Answer

Most brands generate their first GS1 Digital Link QR code within 30 minutes of signing up. Uploading all your products takes a few hours. Compare that to traditional consultants, who typically take 3-6 months.

Question 4

Can I try before I pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our free plan lets you create up to 3 QR codes with full functionality — including blockchain verification. No credit card required. If you need more, upgrade to a paid plan starting at €19/month and your existing QR codes stay active.

Question 5

What information does the QR code contain?

Accepted Answer

The QR code links to a product passport showing: product name and photo, farm or place of origin, organic and safety certificates, batch number and production date, ingredients and allergens, and a blockchain verification badge. Anyone who scans it — a retailer, auditor, or consumer — sees this information instantly.

Question 6

When do I need a new QR code versus updating an existing one?

Accepted Answer

SAME QR CODE: New batch number, new certificate, typo fixes, ingredient source changes. These update the digital record behind the code without changing the printed label.

NEW QR CODE: Product name change, new ingredients, new supplier or farm, packaging redesign. If the printed packaging would be wrong or misleading, print a new QR code.

Question 7

Can I edit a product after creating it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every edit is tracked and logged with a timestamp, what changed, and who made the change. Each edit creates a new blockchain anchor, so auditors can see the full history. You cannot delete the history — that is the point of blockchain verification.

Question 8

What happens if I run out of QR codes on my plan?

Accepted Answer

You will see a quota counter on your dashboard. When you hit 80% of your limit, we will prompt you to upgrade. If you hit 100%, you cannot create new products until you upgrade or your quota resets (monthly on paid plans).

Question 9

Can I download the QR code in different formats?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide PNG (for web/print), SVG (for designers), and PDF (for high-quality printing). All formats are included in every plan.

Question 10

What is GS1 Digital Link?

Accepted Answer

GS1 Digital Link is a global standard that lets a single QR code carry both a product identifier and a web link. It means a smartphone scan can take a buyer, retailer, or auditor straight to a structured product page while remaining compatible with retail systems that use GS1 identifiers.

Question 11

Is PlaybookOS aligned with GS1 Digital Link?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The QR codes we generate follow the GS1 Digital Link format. They are scannable by any retailer, auditor, or consumer using a standard smartphone camera.

Question 12

What is the 2D barcode shift?

Accepted Answer

The retail industry is moving from traditional 1D barcodes to 2D codes such as QR codes. GS1’s 2D barcode work aims for retail checkouts to be able to scan these codes by the end of 2027. PlaybookOS uses the GS1 Digital Link standard, so your codes are ready for this shift.

Question 13

What happens if I am not ready for the 2D barcode shift?

Accepted Answer

Major retailers are moving toward GS1-structured traceability data. If your products cannot provide verifiable origin, certification, and batch information when buyers ask, you risk being passed over for listings. Starting now lets you test, refine, and build retailer relationships before the shift accelerates.

Question 14

Does PlaybookOS work for UK brands?

Accepted Answer

Yes. UK food brands exporting to the EU or supplying UK retailers can use PlaybookOS to provide the structured traceability data buyers increasingly expect. The GS1 Digital Link standard is used internationally.

Question 15

Is a QR code or product passport legally required for food in the EU?

Accepted Answer

No. The EU's Digital Product Passport rules (under the ESPR regulation) explicitly exclude food and feed. What's driving adoption in food is commercial: retail buyers, export customers and certification schemes increasingly ask producers to prove origin, certification and batch traceability — and a scannable passport is the fastest way to do it.

Question 16

What is GS1 Sunrise 2027 — and do I have to comply with it?

Accepted Answer

Sunrise 2027 is a voluntary, industry-led initiative from GS1, the global standards body behind the barcode. Its goal is that by the end of 2027, retail checkouts worldwide can scan 2D barcodes (like QR codes) alongside traditional barcodes. It's not a law and there's no penalty — but as retailers upgrade, they're expected to start asking suppliers for 2D codes. PlaybookOS codes already follow the GS1 Digital Link standard, so you'll be ready before they ask.

Question 17

Which EU rules actually do apply to my food or drink business?

Accepted Answer

General EU food labelling rules (Regulation 1169/2011) always apply. Wine sold in the EU must provide nutrition and ingredient information, which can be delivered via an e-label QR code (Regulation 2021/2117). Businesses handling cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, beef, rubber or wood face EU deforestation (EUDR) due diligence duties phasing in from 30 December 2026. PlaybookOS helps you organise and prove your traceability data — we don't provide legal advice, and we recommend confirming your specific obligations with your trade body or advisor.

Question 18

Does a PlaybookOS passport make me 'compliant'?

Accepted Answer

No tool can make you compliant by itself — and you should be wary of any that claims to. What PlaybookOS does is make your traceability data structured, scannable, and independently verifiable, so that when a buyer, auditor or regulator asks, you have the evidence ready in seconds.

Question 19

What is the difference between Starter, Professional, and Business?

Accepted Answer

STARTER (EUR 29/month): Up to 100 QR codes per month. Best for small brands testing the market or with a limited product range. Includes email support.

PROFESSIONAL (EUR 99/month): Up to 1,000 QR codes per month. Best for growing brands with multiple products and regular batch updates. Includes priority support and batch tracking.

BUSINESS (EUR 299/month): Unlimited QR codes. Best for large brands, co-ops, and businesses with complex supply chains. Includes API access, white-label options, and a dedicated account manager.

Question 20

Can I change plans later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Upgrade anytime — changes take effect immediately. Downgrade at your next billing cycle. Your existing QR codes remain active regardless of plan changes.

Question 21

Is there a discount for annual billing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Annual billing saves you 20% compared to monthly. Contact us for enterprise pricing on multi-year contracts.

Question 22

What happens to my QR codes if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

QR codes remain scannable and verifiable on the blockchain forever. However, you will not be able to edit them or create new ones after cancellation. Your dashboard access ends when your subscription ends.

Question 23

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee on your first paid subscription. No questions asked. After 14 days, refunds are at our discretion.

Question 24

Do I need to replace my existing barcodes?

Accepted Answer

No. Barcodes and QR codes serve completely different purposes. Most producers use both.

Question 25

What does my barcode actually do?

Accepted Answer

Your barcode (UPC/EAN) identifies the product type — it tells the checkout scanner "this is a 500g bag of Brand X coffee." It does not identify the individual item, its origin, or its history. It's a retail necessity, not a story.

Question 26

What does a PlaybookOS QR code do?

Accepted Answer

It identifies the specific product instance and links to its full product passport — origin, batch details, certifications, photos, videos, supply chain steps. Customers scan with any smartphone. No app required.

Question 27

Can I use both on the same packaging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Barcode for retail checkout. QR code for trust, transparency, and storytelling. They complement each other.

Question 28

Do my customers need an app to scan the QR code?

Accepted Answer

No. Any smartphone camera opens the link directly.

Question 29

Will this work alongside my existing GS1 barcodes?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. PlaybookOS does not replace or interfere with GS1 registration or retail systems.

Question 30

Why does PlaybookOS use blockchain?

Accepted Answer

Blockchain creates an immutable, tamper-proof record of your product data. Once anchored, the data cannot be altered or deleted — not by you, not by us, not by hackers. This gives retailers and auditors confidence that what they see is what you submitted, with no possibility of fraud.

Question 31

Which blockchain does PlaybookOS use?

Accepted Answer

We use the IOTA Rebased network. IOTA charges a small transaction fee per anchor (a fraction of a cent) following the May 2025 network update. It still offers fast finality (under 1 second) and no volatile gas fees like Ethereum. This allows us to keep our pricing affordable for SME food brands.

Question 32

Is my business data public on the blockchain?

Accepted Answer

No. We anchor a cryptographic hash (fingerprint) of your data, not the data itself. The actual product details are stored in our secure database. Only someone with the QR code can view the product passport. Your sensitive business information remains private.

Question 33

What if IOTA has problems?

Accepted Answer

We maintain a backup integration with OriginTrail DKG as a secondary blockchain option. In the unlikely event of IOTA network issues, we can switch your anchors seamlessly. Your QR codes and product data are never at risk.

Question 34

Is PlaybookOS GDPR compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We comply fully with GDPR. Your data is stored in EU-based servers. You can export or delete your data at any time. We never sell your data to third parties.

Question 35

How do I get help if I am stuck?

Accepted Answer

All plans include email support. Professional and Business plans include priority support with faster response times. We typically respond within 4 hours during business hours.

Question 36

Do you offer onboarding assistance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every new customer gets a 30-minute onboarding call where we walk you through uploading your first product and generating your first QR code. We can also import your product data from Excel if you have it ready.

Question 37

Can you help me prepare for a retailer audit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PlaybookOS generates audit-ready reports showing your full traceability status, edit history, and blockchain verification. Professional and Business plans include automated audit reports.

Question 38

What languages does PlaybookOS support?

Accepted Answer

The platform is currently in English. QR code product passports can display in any language you configure. Multi-language dashboard support is on our 2027 roadmap.

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