The Digital Product Passport (DPP): time for action (1)
The earlier you start, the greater the opportunity for competitive advantage
The Digital Product Passport (DPP). Soon you can't ignore it as a manufacturer, distributor or retailer. It will have a major effect on product information, but also on other aspects of business operations. While there is no exact start date yet for the mandatory introduction of the DPP, it is essential to start now and be prepared. Our PIM Masters are ready to help with this.
What does the Digital Product Passport entail?
The Digital Product Passport is a digital document that contains comprehensive information about a product throughout its life cycle. The concept is becoming increasingly important within the context of transparency, sustainability, circular economy and regulation, especially in the European Union.
What information does the DPP contain?
Among other things, the DPP contains information about production processes, origin, life cycle, CO2 emissions and carbon footprint. In addition, it provides insight into the composition of a product, including the materials, chemicals and components used. Furthermore, it also names which environmental and safety standards the product meets and what recycling options a product has at the end of its useful life.
Publication of the DPP
The information should be findable by everyone, from consumers and suppliers to government agencies. But in what way can you publish the DPP? There are several options for that. For example, the DPP can be physically attached to a product in the form of a QR code, NFC chip or RFID tag. Or the DPP can be linked to a product online in the specifications on product detail pages.
With the advent of the DPP, consumers will have access to comprehensive product information, which will help them make sound purchasing decisions. They can also more consciously choose products that last longer and have less environmental impact because the DPP demonstrates that the product meets relevant environmental and safety standards.
DPP & PIM
The PIM system will become even more important once the Digital Product Passport requirement is finally implemented. It is the central source of all product information, the foundation for a reliable DPP. You will likely expand or optimize the amount of product data to meet specific requirements.
A PIM system can be integrated with digital platforms that support the DPP, such as blockchain technologies, cloud computing or QR code systems. It should be able to be dynamically updated as soon as new information becomes available, this can be done by real-time linking with the PIM system.
Corporate social responsibility, reducing emissions, reducing the ecological footprint. These are themes that have also played a role at Vogel's for some time. Sustainability is high on the organization's agenda; a conscious choice. The introduction of the Digital Product Passport perfectly matches these ambitions. Thanks to a detailed ecosheet, Vogel's is transparent about the environmental impact of its products and strives to keep this impact as small as possible.
Curious about the whole story behind the realization of the Digital Product Passport at Vogel's? Read it here: The Digital Product Passport (DPP) in practice at Vogel's (2).
Time is running out
It may still feel like a "distant memory," but the DPP is no longer a pipe dream. In fact, it is already being phased in in the EU. For example, under the AGEC law, manufacturers in France have already had to provide comprehensive environmental information to consumers about their products since 2023. The regulations and requirements within the EU will be further developed in the coming years, read more here. DPP is expected to be mandatory from 2026 for at least the product groups: batteries, textiles and electronics.
Start collecting data already
As a manufacturer, distributor or retailer, you can no longer avoid it. Whether you want to get ahead or wait and see, the advice remains: start collecting data. Collecting and structuring the necessary data early gives you a head start.
Our XSARUS PIM Masters can already help you expand the data model in your PIM system. Data quality monitoring provides insight into which products need attention. By being proactive with the DPP, you ensure that you will soon be able to meet the requirements without problems.