What is the digital product passport?
The intended introduction of a digital product passport will enable the collection and sharing of product data throughout the entire life cycle of a product. This will provide insight into how sustainable, environmentally friendly and recyclable the product is. A DPP is essentially a product-specific dataset that makes publicly available both legally required and voluntarily designated information in a structured manner. The passport can inform consumers and other parties involved in the life cycle of a product about the origin, composition, repair and disassembly possibilities and recycling options of the various components. The European Commission proposes to apply DPPs to support the circular economy, decarbonisation and sustainability and to work more transparently by making product information available throughout the value chain. After implementation, the digital product passport will play a role in further enforcement of legal requirements, including extended producer responsibility.
Initially, the EU is targeting DPPs for:
Sustainable batteries
Packaging and packaging waste
Building products
Critical raw materials
Detergents and surfactants
Toy Safety
There are currently several European regulations in force that support the use of DPPs in these areas, including:
Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR): The proposal was published on 30 March 2022 and establishes a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for specific product groups (other than food and feed) in order to significantly improve their circularity, energy performance and other environmental sustainability aspects. Once in force, products that do not meet the requirements, such as disposable vapes, will no longer be allowed to be placed on the market.
Construction Products Regulation (CPR): This concerns standards for the functionality, safety and environmental impact of construction products in the EU. Think of the approval of construction projects with an innovative sustainability approach, because it can be demonstrated that CO2 is tackled over the entire life cycle and circularity is promoted.
(New) European Battery Regulation: Sets requirements for the entire life cycle of batteries – from production to re-use and recycling – ensuring they are safe, sustainable and competitive. This regulation will put an end to the many fires that currently occur in refuse collection vehicles and waste treatment centres due to the disposal of batteries in household waste.
Although the DPP is still in development, there are clear benefits for companies to get started early: increased consumer confidence, better regulatory compliance, greater product visibility and blockchain traceability solutions, and greater engagement with global sustainability goals.
The European consortium developing the Digital Product Passport (CIRPASS) is making the necessary preparations for pilots and gradual introduction of DPPs in Europe.
What can be Included in a DPP?
As the regulation is still in the draft phase, the final data requirements for DPPs remain speculative. However, it is almost certain that a digital passport will contain the following elements:
Basic product information such as name, weight, batch number, production date and location, and warranty specifications;
Material data, including the origin of raw materials and components, which suppliers are involved in the supply process, certifications for the origin of ingredients (e.g. sustainable palm oil), the percentage of recycled material;
Traceability data: product history, control mechanism, data on current and previous owners (particularly for products with a long lifespan that can be resold);
Repair and recycling information: information about the general repairability of the product, plus specific repairs and instructions for end-of-life disposal. Such information may be of interest to manufacturers dealing with warranties, repair companies and recycling centres;
Sustainability data, such as a product’s carbon footprint, water consumption and land/sea/air kilometres travelled.
Access to this data allows consumers to compare the ingredients and CO2 emissions of products on the supermarket shelves, or other information that is important to them personally or to their lifestyle so that they can make an informed choice. The digital passport can contain information about returns, contact details of the manufacturer or instructions for preparing the product and recycling the packaging. The latter is particularly relevant when we consider that 91% of all plastic waste is still not recycled by consumers and much of it ends up in landfills.
Companies also benefit from the digital product passport. Manufacturers can more easily identify the source of malfunctions or problems and generate warnings for other products that may have a similar problem. At the end of the life cycle, the DPP can be used to form an image of the amount of waste generated by a specific product, product range or manufacturer. This provides tools to tackle waste at the source and make a positive contribution to sustainability and Net Zero objectives.
Use of the Digital Product Passport
Manufacturers probably cannot afford to wait until the draft regulation has been adopted before starting to work on DPPs. A database will need to be set up for all product information in the DPPs, with separate codes referring to information on individual products. The industry is already working on a system that will enable this, with an emphasis on open-source solutions to encourage collaboration, consistency and best practices. This will make it easier to respond to existing and new legislation and regulations.
Conclusion
The digital product passport, a revolutionary concept, has the potential to redefine the way products are traced, managed, and consumed. By providing a comprehensive digital record of a product's journey, from raw materials to end-of-life, it offers a wealth of benefits for consumers, businesses, and the environment.
As we embrace the digital age, the digital product passport emerges as a powerful tool for fostering transparency, sustainability, and consumer confidence. By implementing this technology, we can create a more responsible and ethical global marketplace, ensuring that products are produced, distributed, and consumed in a way that benefits both people and the planet.