Your Guide to Digital Product Passports

    Last updated: 28 October 2024

    Digitalization and sustainability have become key focus areas for businesses, and with the Digital Product Passport, their importance will only increase. This will have some significant consequences; this blog explains what the Digital Product Passport is, how it will affect your business, and why you should prepare now.

     

    Explained: Digital Product Passport

    A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a simple source of key information about a product. This information can be accessed by scanning a QR code, NFC chip, or RFID tag on the product.

    The DPP contains detailed information on the origin and history of the product, e.g. the raw materials used and details of the suppliers. It is continuously updated with information on transportation, transaction history and repairs as long as the product is available on the market.

    Overall, the Digital Product Passports offer a comprehensive record of events and transactions throughout a product's lifecycle, benefiting various stakeholders such as manufacturers, consumers, re-sellers, and recycling organizations.

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    Key Industries targeted for DPP

    The specific DPP rules for each industry haven’t been published yet, but these industries are the main focus for sustainability and circularity efforts:

    • Batteries
    • Chemicals
    • Construction
    • Electronics
    • Furniture
    • Luxury Goods
    • Plastics
    • Textiles
    • Toys

     

    Companies registered outside the EU

    While the European Union is leading the Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative with its regulations, the requirements do not only apply to companies based in the EU. Any product entering the EU market must comply with these standards, which means that goods from companies outside the EU will also need a DPP.

    The EU recognizes that these new requirements could have an impact on global supply chains and business relationships and intends to offer support to partner countries and promote an open dialogue with international stakeholders to support alignment with DPP regulations and infrastructure.

     

    Data Collection with DPP 

    In the following table you can see the current and potential utility of the Digital Products Passport and some examples: 

    General

    general product information and data

    for example: 

    - product ID & Batch numbers

    - reference numbers

    - weight/volume 

    - manufacturing location/dates
    Source

    type and origin of raw materials and components utilised within the manufacturing and development of the product  
    Footprint

    data related to carbon footprint 

    - waste generation

    - environmental impact of the product

    - lifecycle

    - actual usage of the products
    Ownership

    details related to past and current owners 

    - ownership duration 

    - specific event audit trail 
    Maintenance  Details related to the reparability attributes of a product
    Documentation Digital versions of warranty, service, insurance, guarantee documentation
    Instruction

    store instructions and protocols for numerous operations

    - recycling 

    - end-of-life

    - disposal

     

    Benefits to Businesses

    • Increase consumer trust: now they can have access to the full lifecycle of products from manufacturing to recyclability or disposal. The consumer has then a more transparent view on the product.
    • Validate green claims: DPP help prevent greenwashing by validating sustainability claims.
    • Ensure compliance: It simplifies tracking, helping businesses access and monitor compliance data in real-time.

     

    If you have any more questions reach out to our experienced business development team.

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