Digital Product Passport (DPP) – What’s coming soon and what are the challenges?

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a central initiative of the European Union that aims to improve the transparency and traceability of products along the entire value chain.

The DPP serves as a digital information platform that bundles important data about a product – from its manufacture to its disposal or reuse.

The background to this initiative is the shift towards a more sustainable and circular economy, in which not only the use of resources is to be optimized, but also the carbon footprint of products is to be reduced.

The DPP enables companies to provide this information in a standardized form and thus meet regulatory requirements.

Why is the DPP important for companies?

The DPP is not only a regulatory must, but also an opportunity for companies to demonstrate their innovative capacity and sustainability strategy.

However, successful implementation of the DPP requires the integration and management of extensive data. This is where digital tools and standards come into play to help with the collection, processing and provision of this information.

In particular, standards such as ECLASS make it possible to efficiently classify and structure product data so that it complies with legal requirements.

By using such solutions, companies can not only ensure their compliance, but also gain a competitive advantage by communicating their sustainability measures transparently.

Legal framework conditions: Increasing regulatory pressure due to EU requirements

The introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is closely linked to the European Union’s ambitious climate targets. The most important legal initiatives include the Circular Economy Action Plan and specific regulations such as the EU Battery Regulation. These laws aim to improve transparency and sustainability in the production and use of resources.

A key element of these regulations is the mandatory provision of product-related data. For example, companies must disclose the carbon footprint of their products, the material composition and relevant certificates and approvals.

The requirements for companies are extensive:

• Deadlines: Clear deadlines for the introduction of the DPP are defined and companies must set up corresponding systems in good time.
• Obligations: Companies must ensure that their data is complete, correct and in a standardized format.

A look into the future: what lies ahead for companies?

The legal requirements surrounding the DPP will be extended to more and more sectors and product categories in the coming years. In addition to batteries, electronic devices, textiles, construction products and packaging could also be covered in the future.

This expansion makes standardized data formats and digital solutions indispensable. Without uniform standards such as ECLASS, processing and providing the required data will be virtually impossible.

Companies that invest in appropriate technologies and partnerships at an early stage can not only ensure their compliance, but also increase their efficiency and strengthen their competitive position.

Challenges when introducing the DPP

One of the biggest challenges when introducing the DPP is collecting and processing the required data. Many companies are faced with the problem that the necessary information comes from a variety of different sources.

• Different data sources and formats: Data is often stored in different systems, formats and departments, which makes it difficult to merge.
• Internal and external data integration: In addition to the internal harmonization of data, companies often rely on external suppliers to provide complete product information.

Standardization and data quality

Another obstacle is ensuring high data quality and compliance with unifom standards.

• Uniform data formats and standards: Without standards such as ECLASS, which describe and classify products uniformly, it is more difficult to summarize and provide data in the DPP.
• Inconsistent or incomplete data: In practice, data is often incomplete or incorrect. This can lead to problems when checking compliance and publishing in the DPP.

Technical infrastructure

The introduction of the DPP also places high demands on companies’ IT systems.

• Data storage and processing: The systems must be able to store large volumes of data, process them in real time and make them available for he Digital Product Passport.
• Data exchange: A functioning DPP requires interfaces that ensure the secure and standardized exchange of information between different systems and stakeholders.

Compliance with legal requirements and the protection of sensitive data are further key challenges. Companies must ensure that they fully comply with the regulatory requirements for the DPP.

The introduction of the Digital Product Passport brings with it a number of challenges. Companies that tackle these hurdles early on and develop suitable strategies will be able to benefit from an efficient and legally compliant DPP in the long term.

How does D&TS support the implementation of the DPP with ECLASS?

ECLASS is a globally recognized standard for the classification and description of products and services. This standard enables companies to present product data in a uniform and structured format.

The importance of ECLASS for the Digital Product Passport lies primarily in the standardization of data.

ECLASS defines clearly structured categories and attributes for products, making it easier to capture, manage and share information consistently.

This is how D&TS supports your company in implementing the DPP.

Data bundling

D&TS helps companies collect relevant product information from various sources and structure it in a central system. This includes:

• Identification of the data required for the DPP.
• Consolidate information, whether it comes from internal ERP systems, external supplier databases or other sources.

Classification and standardization

By using ECLASS, D&TS ensures that product data is described according to a uniform and recognized standard. This makes it easier:

• The correct assignment of data to the respective product features.
• The harmonization of information so that it meets the requirements of the DPP legislation.

Data provision

D&TS offers solutions and services that make it possible to integrate the standardized and validated data into the Digital Product Passport. D&TS supports you with:

• The technical implementation of data transmission.
• Ensuring that the information provided complies with legal requirements and is complete.

D&TS plays a key role in the adoption of the Digital Product Passport by helping companies manage their data efficiently and meet regulatory requirements.

Conclusion and outlook

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is not only an important step towards a sustainable and transparent economy, but also a tool that helps companies meet legal requirements while fulfilling their environmental responsibilities.

The importance of the DPP will continue to increase in the coming years. The EU plans to extend the obligation to additional sectors and product categories, which will result in increasing diffusion and use of the DPP.

Are you ready to successfully implement the Digital Product Passport? D&TS is at your side as a reliable partner to structure your data, prepare it in accordance with the law and provide it efficiently.

Contact us for personal advice and find out how we can support you on the way to the successful introduction of the Digital Product Passport.