What is the Digital Product Passport?
The digital product passport (DPP) is an initiative of the European Union to promote the circularity of products. Think of it as a digital document that not only contains information about the composition of a product but also about its lifecycle, production, and lifespan.
So, it’s a lot of information to gather! But it comes with several advantages for various parties. For instance, all information in the DPP is transparent to everyone. Think about manufacturers, intermediaries, potential repair services, and consumers. Moreover, this transparency encourages companies to produce their products more sustainably.
Of course, the government also benefits from it, as they can use the information to further develop their policies around products. In this blog, we will discuss what the DPP exactly entails and why it is important for your business.
What exactly is in the Digital Product Passport?
- Product Information: Basic details about the product such as name, brand, model, and serial number.
- Production and Material Information: Details about where, when, and how the product was made. Think about the origin of raw materials and information about the supplier.
- Ownership and Transactions: Previous and current owners, transaction dates.
- Repair Information: An overview of all repairs with the reason and any issues with the product.
- Sustainability Information: The product’s CO2 footprint from production to recycling.
Why is the DPP important?
While the details of the DPP are still in development, the Digital Product Passport has already been approved by Europe. The impact on suppliers and traders will be enormous when the implementation eventually takes place… and that might happen sooner than you think.
For now, two important dates have already been shared regarding the DPP:
- In 2024, the first 7 industries must start implementing DPP.
- In 2027, all new products sold in the EU must have a DPP.
These are the first 7 industries that must comply with the DPP:
- Anything with a battery
- Anything classified as clothing
- Everything in the construction and installation sector
- All multi-use plastics
- All chemicals
- All powered means of transportation
- Anything categorized as “consumer electronics”
In the Netherlands, there is still a need for a vote on the precise implementation of the DPP. However, it’s not a bad idea to start educating yourself and preparing your company for it if possible. Complying with the DPP is indeed a substantial task, and you wouldn’t want to gather that information last minute.
You can read more about the DPP on the website: https://cirpassproject.eu/
Do you have any questions about what this will mean for your product information? Feel free to contact us; we will assist you and provide you with free advice.
