This way, you will be prepared.
The introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is approaching.
Starting in 2027, the digital product passport will be gradually introduced as a mandatory requirement in the EU. The first step will be the digital battery passport, which will become mandatory in the battery industry for certain types of batteries starting in February 2027.
According to the new EU regulation that creates the legal framework for the Digital Product Passport (ESPR, (EU) 2024/1781), textiles, furniture, tires, and mattresses will follow with the introduction of a product passport. Since the ESPR is intended to apply to all products placed on the market in the EU, with few exceptions, it can be assumed that almost all product groups will gradually receive a digital product passport in the coming years.
What does this mean for your company?
In the future, companies will have to collect, update, and digitally provide relevant information throughout the entire product life cycle. This includes material composition, repairability, carbon footprint, recyclability, and other product-related sustainability data.
These requirements have a significant impact on processes, systems, and responsibilities. Despite the effort involved, it is crucial to get started early, because only those who prepare for the introduction of the DPP in good time will be able to meet legal requirements, avoid economic risks, and secure competitive advantages at the same time.
Our industry-independent 4-step roadmap shows you how to proceed in a structured and practical manner:
1. Preparation: Laying the foundation
The first step is to clarify whether and when the company's own products will be affected by the product passport. Based on this, a structured implementation plan can be drawn up. Companies should then check which information must be included in the product-specific DPP according to the law.
If this data changes during the product life cycle or traceability is relevant, it is advisable to introduce serial numbers to enable data export and product tracking at the item level.
2. Product information: Collecting and digitizing data
A digital product passport is significantly influenced by the quality of the data. Companies should therefore ask themselves the following questions:
Is all relevant data available?
Is this data available in digital form?
Does an internal company system already exist that can provide the DPP?
This phase lays the foundation for successful implementation. Without complete, consistent, and digital data, a DPP cannot function.
3. Process adaptation: Rethinking systems and processes
Once the data situation has been clarified, internal processes must be adjusted accordingly:
If no suitable system for the DPP exists yet, one should be integrated into the existing IT infrastructure.
Production and logistics processes must be optimized so that data can be automatically recorded and transferred in the future.
The creation and maintenance of the DPP must be integrated into the production and product development process.
Employees require targeted training to ensure secure, accurate, and continuous data maintenance.
4. Introduction: The start of the digital future
Once all requirements have been met, the actual introduction of the DPP can begin. This step marks the transition from project to practical implementation.
It is important to closely monitor the implementation, integrate feedback from the application, and continuously develop the processes further.
