A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital document containing key information about a product throughout its lifecycle, from raw materials to end-of-life. It’s like a virtual ID card for your product, offering benefits for various stakeholders:
For you as the producer:
- Transparency and trust. Showcases your product’s sustainability credentials, building trust with eco-conscious customers.
- Compliance. Simplifies meeting regulatory requirements with all relevant data readily available.
- Efficiency. Streamlines information sharing through the supply chain, saving time and resources.
- Data-driven insights. Enables better decision-making based on detailed lifecycle analysis.
For your consumers:
- Informed choices. Provides transparency about materials, origin, and environmental impact, empowering sustainable purchases.
- Trustworthiness. Verifies product claims and authenticity, reducing doubts and greenwashing concerns.
- Extended lifespan. Facilitates repairs, upgrades, and recycling through product information accessibility.
For your stakeholders:
- Authorities. Enables efficient compliance checks and monitoring.
- Recyclers and refurbishers. Provides necessary information for proper dismantling and material recovery.
How can you use a DPP for your product?
While specific applications depend on your industry and product type, here are some general possibilities:
- Embedding a unique identifier. A QR code or similar tag linked to the passport allows easy information access.
- Highlighting key information. Showcase sustainability certifications, recycled content percentages, or carbon footprint data.
- Enabling repairs and upgrades. Provide instructions and spare parts information for extended product life.
- Facilitating recycling. Clearly indicate material composition and end-of-life instructions.
When is it all happening?
The European Commission plans a phased rollout of DPP regulations, targeting different product categories with specific deadlines. While not yet mandatory, the timeline provides insight into their future significance:
- 2026. Batteries will be the first product category requiring compliance, likely around mid-year.
- Soon after 2026. Apparel and consumer electronics are expected to follow suit.
- Beyond 2026. The ultimate goal is to expand DPPs to roughly 30 product categories by 2030.
This timetable underscores the growing momentum for DPPs in Europe. Though not immediate for all products, understanding the timeline allows businesses to start planning and exploring potential benefits to stay ahead of the curve.
Getting started with Proqure!
- Your product type. DPPs are being piloted in various sectors like electronics, batteries, and textiles. Check with us if your industry is involved.
- Your goals. Determine what you want to achieve with the passport (e.g., transparency, compliance, brand image). Let us in Proqure do the rest.
- Technical feasibility. Choose a compatible platform and ensure secure data storage and access. We at Proqure would love to help with it.
Remember: DPPs are still evolving, and regulations and standards are emerging. Staying informed and proactive can position you well to benefit from this transformative technology.
