Technology

Digital Product Passport: the Start of a Sustainable Product Story

Digital Product Passport: the Start of a Sustainable Product Story

For consumers, it is increasingly important that products can be reused, repaired and/or recycled, but they often lack the necessary information to make the right choices. That is why the EU has set its sights on stimulating ecologically sustainable and circular products. 

With Digital Product Passports, consumers receive more information about the ecological footprint and materials, among other things.

In this article we answer some frequently asked questions about the Digital Product Passport:

  • What is the Digital Product Passport (DPP)?
  • What is the impact of the Digital Product Passport on your company?
  • How can you prepare your data processes today to comply with the new regulations?

What is the Digital Product Passport (DPP)?

Before we take a closer look at Digital Product Passports, we should first talk about the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. 

With this initiative, the EU aims to improve the sustainability blockchain traceability software and transparency of products. Note that these rules apply to all products on the EU market, regardless of where they were originally produced.

Sustainability

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation aims to create a circular economy where sustainable products are the norm. This means that products should be reused and recycled as often as possible to reduce, not add to, waste. 

Previous efforts in ecodesign in the EU have focused on energy-related products and electronics. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, on the other hand, applies to more sectors. 

This way, there is more potential for this regulation to bring about significant positive change.

Transparency

Information about the sustainability of a product must be easily accessible to consumers. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) will play a major role in this. 

Each product will have its own passport, an overview of useful data about the materials used, reusability and ecological footprint. This will enable consumers to make better choices and more easily know whether and how much their purchases harm the environment. You can also take your passport with you when you travel: the Digital Product Passport follows your products wherever they go.

In practice, the Digital Product Passport looks like a physical label on the product, packaging or product documentation. However, behind that small label is a lot of information. 

By scanning a QR code or other data carrier, consumers get more information about the sustainability of the product. In this way, they learn more about the different ways in which the product contributes to a greener world.

Digital Product Passports will first be rolled out for selected product categories , including textiles and apparel, batteries, and electronic devices. 

A sustainable approach for these products has a high impact, as they often have high carbon emissions or pollution. However, it is almost certain that the Digital Product Passport will be extended to other product categories over time.

What is the impact of the Digital Product Passport on your company?

The Digital Product Passport has a direct impact on all parties involved in the life cycle of a product, from manufacturers to consumers. This initiative offers companies many advantages : increased customer confidence, a concrete way to validate your green claims and new business opportunities focused on a circular economy.

At the same time, it is important that you are aware of the obligations that this new regulation entails. 

Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor or retailer, take the necessary time and steps to comply with the rules. Make sure you understand the regulation, keep important product data accurate and update this information regularly.

How can your company prepare data processes for these new regulations today?

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation is being rolled out in phases. Digital Product Passports are expected to come into force in 2026 for certain product categories. These Digital Product Passports will house a lot of data. Data that your company will need to collect and store.

The first step is to perform a comprehensive product audit to determine which products fall under this new regulation. In addition, this audit can be a good opportunity to take a closer look at the sustainability of your products. 

For example, can some products be made with recycled materials? Can you make it easier to repair your products? Maybe you can improve your production processes ?

Next, you need to make sure your company has the tools and knowledge to handle large amounts of data. Product information management (PIM) software is an efficient way to collect and store product data. 

A PIM system provides a single point of storage, which leads to greater consistency and accuracy. Another advantage of PIM is that product data can be easily updated. In the (likely) case that more data is added to the Digital Product Passport at a later stage, it is easy to enrich the current data in a PIM system.

How Transgenie can support your business

When companies fail to provide the necessary information for Digital Product Passports, there are drastic consequences . A product without an accompanying Digital Product Passport can lead to a fine and your company can even be banned from selling this product on the EU market. 

Let’s make sure your company is prepared for the new regulation and ready to make the world just that little bit more sustainable.

Transgenie wants to make good data management second nature in your daily business processes. Because data management doesn’t have to be a time-consuming, cumbersome task. 

Together, we can set up data processes that work for your business and comply with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, including Digital Product Passports. Want to know more? Contact us Transgenie

About the author

Transgenie

Revolutionizing Last-Mile Delivery: Enhancing Speed, Efficiency, and Sustainability

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