PIM as the key to the Golden Thread

22-11-24

The construction industry is moving toward a future where every bolt, brick and tile is digitally traceable.

In October 2021, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in the United Kingdom introduced the concept of “The Golden Thread” — a continuous digital information chain designed to ensure safety, transparency and accountability across the built environment.

For manufacturers, this comes down to one essential requirement: structured and reliable product data. That’s where a Product Information Management system (PIM) such as Utopis plays a leading role.

Whitepapers on PIM and DPP

What is the Golden Thread?

After the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London in 2017, the UK introduced new legislation to permanently improve building safety. One of its core principles is the Golden Thread of Information — a digital, consistent and verifiable flow of data about the safety, performance and composition of all construction products, from design to demolition.

“The Golden Thread ensures that everyone responsible for a building has the information they need to keep it safe.” – IET Built Environment Panel

The IET, an independent organisation uniting engineers and technical standards experts worldwide, played a central role in defining this framework. According to the IET, only structured, controlled and up-to-date product information can prevent errors, misunderstandings and unsafe conditions within the construction supply chain.

The Link with PIM

A Product Information Management (PIM) system provides the foundation for implementing the Golden Thread in practice. With a PIM such as Utopis, all product data, specifications, certificates, Declarations of Performance (DoPs) and maintenance instructions, are managed centrally and kept up to date at all times.

In practice, this means:

One single source of truth eliminates errors and fragmentation

Connections with standards such as ETIM, STABU2, DICO and NL-SfB enable seamless data exchange

Traceable and verifiable product information throughout the lifecycle

Faster compliance with upcoming regulations such as the Building Quality Assurance Act and the Digital Product Passport (DPP)

Alignment with DSGO, the Dutch Digital Built Environment framework, which follows the same transparency principles as the Golden Thread

In short: a PIM turns scattered information into a golden thread of reliable product data.

Conclusie

De IET heeft met de Golden Thread een belangrijk signaal afgegeven: veilig bouwen kan alleen met betrouwbare, gestructureerde en toegankelijke productinformatie. Met Utopis PIM leg je de basis voor die informatieketen: onafhankelijk, toekomstbestendig en volledig afgestemd op de standaarden in de bouw.

Want to learn how your product data can form part of the Golden Thread? Schedule a meeting with Antoon Siebert or Peter Veldhuizen. Or read about the benefits that a PIM that’s designed especially for construction offers.

PIM as the key to the Golden Thread.

What the UK’s Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) teaches us about the future of digital construction data

The construction industry is moving toward a future where every bolt, brick and tile is digitally traceable.

What is the Golden Thread?

The Link with PIM

Conclusie

Responding to digital building standards.

All product data available in one platform.

Efficiently manage and share product data.

All information available in one place.

Your product data better found.

Peter Veldhuizen

Antoon Siebert

Maarten Hopman

Jeroen Houdé

Mariska van ’t Veer

Arnout Nijhuis

Development department

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