In addition to the destructible label applied to the vehicle body, the automotive market uses another identification solution: glass VIN etching label, an adhesive label with an alphanumeric code printed on it, applied directly to the vehicle's glass.
What is a glass VIN etching label?
It is a label with a unique code (in the format such as *MTP00012* or *LPO12345*) printed in high contrast, designed to remain legible throughout the lifespan of the glass to which it is applied. Like the destructible body label, it contributes to vehicle identification and traceability — but on a different component, the glass.
Why also identify the glass?
Replacement parts, such as windshields and side windows, are among the most targeted items in fraudulent exchanges and remarking, as they often lack any identifying information specific to the original vehicle. The glass VIN etching label solves this blind spot: by etching a traceable code directly onto the part, it becomes more difficult to dissociate that glass from the vehicle to which it belongs, hindering the illegal sale of stolen parts or parts of dubious origin.
How is it applied?
The label is thermally printed with a specific code for each unit and applied to standardized points on the glass, respecting the legibility and durability required for outdoor use — sun exposure, rain, temperature variations, and frequent cleaning.
Glass VIN etching label vs. destructible label: which to use?
These are not competing solutions, but rather complementary ones. The destructible label (ETA) meets the CONTRAN regulatory requirement for chassis/VIN identification on the vehicle body. Glass VIN etching extends this protection to another vehicle component, reducing the incentive for fraud involving individual parts. Manufacturers and distributors seeking a more comprehensive security standard often adopt both solutions together.