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WHAT IS A DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT?

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital identifier that provides information about a product, including details on its materials, origins, repairability, recycling potential, and environmental impact. The DPP is designed to be accessible both online and offline, often via physical data carriers such as QR codes. The primary goal of the DPP is to enhance transparency, empower consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions and improve the designation of textiles, whether that’s for repair, resale or as a last resort, recycling.

ORIGIN OF THE DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT

The DPP is a pivotal element of the EU’s sustainability strategy, derived from the EU Green Deal and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into effect recently, on the 18th of July. The European Commission will outline the specific information required for the DPP in the coming months, with full implementation expected by 2026 for products entering the EU market. However, some companies have already begun to voluntarily implement the DPP in anticipation of the forthcoming requirements.

The information housed in the DPP will likely include the following:

• Product’s technical performance
• Materials and their origins
• Repair activities
• Recycling capabilities
• Products environmental impact throughout its lifecycle

FUNCTIONALITY

The DPP is designed to be accessible through various means. Online access should be available through product detail pages (PDPs) on e-commerce platforms, while offline access should be provided through physical carriers such as QR codes, barcodes, or RFID tags. Although the majority of information in the DPP will be openly available, some data may be restricted to specific users, such as recyclers or repair professionals, to ensure that sensitive details are appropriately managed.

IMPACT OF DPPs

For consumers, the DPP serves as a valuable tool for making informed choices, enabling more effective repair, resale, and recycling. By providing detailed product information, DPPs can also help verify the authenticity of products, helping to reduce the risk of counterfeit goods. For brands, DPPs represent an opportunity to build trust and credibility by showcasing transparency and commitment to sustainability.

CHALLENGES FOR ADOPTION

Several challenges need to be addressed for widespread DPP adoption. These include ensuring data privacy and security, standardising formats across various industries, and integrating DPPs with existing systems. Protecting sensitive product information requires robust cybersecurity measures and adherence to data protection regulations. Additionally, achieving universal standards and interoperability is essential for effective data sharing and system integration. Scalability and adaptability of technology solutions are also crucial for accommodating diverse products and evolving technological needs.

INNOVATORS

Circular.fashion, EON and Vaayu are notable examples of organisations advancing DPP adoption.

Circular.fashion has created the Circularity.ID, which integrates physical carriers, such as QR, NFC, or RFID code onto garments. Circular.Fashion is system agnostic, meaning it can ingest data from other platforms to produce digital product passports. The Circular.Fashion and TrusTrace partnership is a good example of this.

EON aims to link every item to a digital twin, containing critical product and material data accessible via RFID, NFC, or QR codes. EON is also system agnostic, meaning it can ingest data from other platforms to produce digital product passports. Notably, EON has recently partnered with TextileGenesis. 

Vaayu, a carbon and impact management platform also offers a Digital Product Passport service directly. This is accessible via QR codes on products and online product detail pages.