Picture this
With a simple scan, you can unlock detailed information about a product's origin, materials and environmental footprint. The DPP serves as a digital dossier providing these insights.
The relevancy of DPPs extends far beyond data dissemination. DPPs represent a shift towards sustainability that is helping consumers, businesses and governments to make informed and responsible decisions.
In the following sections, we explore the arguments for using DPPs, their importance and best practices for implementation. Join us as we take a deeper dive into the digital content, relevance and practicalities of DPPs. If you have any questions about scalable DPP solutions, then contact us for more information.
What may a digital product passport (DPP) contain?
A digital product passport represents a digital standpoint of a product's identity and origin. As a part of the European Commission's Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) the DPPs serves as a comprehensive record that provides information about a product from its origin to its “end-of-life”.
In practice the DPPs support circular products and business models. They provide a unique identity to each product that gives you the opportunity to link one or multiple data sources. This grants businesses and consumers effortless access to product details like the following:
- Durability
- Origin
- Warranty
- Recycling options
- Assembly instructions
- Repair instructions.
These details come directly from the supplier or other selected data sources.
The DPP increases transparency on a product's environmental impact over its life cycle and helps supply chain players access vital information on product composition. For example, we should get better waste management facilities that can handle and recover valuable materials more effectively and as a result lower greenhouse gas emission.
Relevancy of digital product passports (DPPs)
The relevancy of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) extends to a wide range of products and components including electric vehicles (EVs) and industrial batteries, as mandated by the updated regulations in the EU market. Commencing February 1st, 2027, every EV- and industrial battery must feature a distinctive battery passport accessible via a unique product identifier that could be in the form of a QR code or an RFID tag. This is important since some components need to meet regulatory and industry requirements. The battery example emphasizes that some components need to have included unique data about battery health, lifecycle, and recycling information.
These regulations enhance sustainability and transparency in product management. They require providing basic product information and comprehensive sustainability assessments via the battery's QR code/RFID tag, including carbon footprint, recycling efficiency targets and recovery rates for critical minerals.
By February 1, 2025, manufacturers must ensure the carbon footprint of batteries is third-party verified and publicly accessible online. Starting December 1, 2025, the minimum recycling efficiency requirements for lithium-based batteries highlight the EU's commitment to a circular economy and resource efficiency.
By having recovery rates for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, it promotes responsible sourcing and improves the supply chain of stock. This shift towards a more sustainable battery life cycle is further reinforced by requirements for impact assessments of battery lifecycle and technical documentation detailing the percentages of materials sourced from recovered sources. The implementation of DPPs in compliance with these regulations not only enhances transparency and accountability, but also drives innovation and competitiveness within the battery industry. By leveraging DPPs you meet regulatory requirements, but you also build trust with consumers and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.
GS1 standards and digital product passports (DPP)
It is important to note that at Lyngsoe Systems we are GS1 certified. The DPP regulation is based on GS1 standards. The GS1 advocates for digital product passports and has actively collaborated with businesses and policymakers for three years to develop and implement an inclusive solution. GS1 standards ensure interoperability, enabling safe and efficient information sharing across global networks that maximize DPP benefits.
How does a digital product passport work practically?
The DPP begins by creating a digital record for each product detailing its origin, manufacturing process, materials and environmental footprint. This data is encoded and linked to the product via a QR code or RFID tag.
For consumers, accessing the DPP is as easy as scanning your product's QR code or RFID tag with a smartphone providing consumers immediate access to information for informed purchasing decisions based on sustainability, ethical sourcing and product durability. From a business standpoint, the DPP offers consumer engagement, supply chain optimization, identifying areas for product improvement and improving sustainable practices. For businesses there are numerous best practices to be aware of when working with DPPs. Let us take a look at these.
Best practices for implementing digital product passports in your organization
Implementing the DPP requires careful planning, coordination and adherence to best practices for effective and seamless integration into existing business processes. Key considerations for organizations include:
- Clear Objectives: Define goals for improving supply chain transparency, sustainability or regulatory requirements.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ensure collaboration among teams like product development, supply chain, IT, marketing and compliance.
- Data Standardization: Standardize data processes for consistency and interoperability across the product lifecycle.
- Technology Infrastructure: Invest in technology infrastructure that supports DPP ensuring compatibility and scalability.
- Supplier Engagement: Work with suppliers to onboard them to the DPP platform and facilitate data sharing.
- Consumer Education: Educate consumers on accessing and interpreting product information through digital tools.
- Continuous Improvement: Monitor, evaluate and improve the DPP process and incorporate stakeholder feedback.
- Compliance Management: Stay updated on regulatory requirements related to transparency, sustainability and data privacy.
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks including data security breaches and data inaccuracies.
- Long-Term Sustainability: Allocate resources for ongoing maintenance and enhancements, ensuring scalability and flexibility.
By following these best practices your organization can successfully implement the digital product passport to enhance transparency, sustainability and value across the product life cycle.
Case Stories
Businesses in various sectors are adopting innovative approaches to streamline DPPs tracking. At Lyngsoe Systems, we assist in elevating DPP implementation. Read our case studies to learn how we support our clients.
Take for instance our client Container Centralen. With the custom-made CC TAG5, Container Centralen ensures comprehensive supply chain visibility and confirms the authenticity of each returnable transport item (RTI). Designed for use by horticulture growers, transporters, and retailers. Lyngsoe Systems’ RFID tags offer quick installation, fast authentication, and visible tamper-evidence, even without RFID infrastructure in place.
This technology helps Container Centralen maintain transparency and reliability throughout their operations, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and efficiency.
Reach out
DPPs can enhance your product management and sustainability efforts. Lyngsoe Systems’ experts will guide you and customize DPP solutions to meet your needs. Whether you aim to improve supply chain transparency, optimize resource efficiency or meet regulatory requirements the people of Lyngsoe Systems are here to help.
