Product information for customers: Is there a digital way to do this?

Healthcare professionals, such as opticians, are currently still required to provide product information to customers in paper form. The ZVA (Central Association of German Opticians and Optometrists) confirms that a purely digital version is not sufficient under current legislation.

Customers who have a medical device buy Information I received this information from the dealer. digital Is it possible? Many opticians are asking themselves this question. Currently, the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) But regarding printed information, he explains Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA)).

Opticians must provide every sunglasses or contact lens customer with multi-page document Provide information in various languages ​​so the customer knows they have purchased contact lenses, sunglasses, or another product. A lot. Bureaucracy and even more paper, which most customers would rather do without.

That's where the idea came from: Every business could use its own Website a clearly visible button with digital information set up or the customers via QR-Code Provide this information at the checkout counter. Manufacturers could make this information available as a PDF. This would save companies paper and simplify the provision of information. 

Paper is still mandatory

The Optikernetz editorial team has sent the request to the ZVA forwarded. Its legal counsel states: Manufacturer have according to Article 10, paragraph 11 of the MDR to ensure that every product Information according to Annex 1, Section 23, in the language prescribed in each case enclosed.

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The marking must be indelible, easily legible, and clearly understandable. For the use of a QR codes are a necessary digital tool. This represents a additional hurdle Annex I, Chapter III, number 23 of the MDR also emphasizes that machine-readable information – such as QR codes only supplementary are permissible in a human-readable form. "Labels are presented in a human-readable form and may be supplemented by machine-readable information such as radio frequency identification ('RFID') or barcodes."

And finally ...  Only one supplementary QR-Code is allowed – digital information alone is currently not sufficient .

Further legal obligations from autumn

From the September 27, 2026 Do retailers also need to inform their customers about legal requirements? Information on warranty rightsThe ZVA points out that an inquiry is currently pending with the European Commission. It aims to clarify whether opticians are subject to the [relevant regulations/laws]. Special arrangement for healthcare services. The accompanying information document already includes a QR code for supplementary information. "The integration of QR codes may only be the first step. For the moment, however, opticians cannot avoid the analog version," according to the ZVA.

Sources: Optician network.de; ZVA

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