A Practical Guide to the Digital Product Passport

What Type of Information Is Stored Inside a DPP?

A DPP will store a range of information providing full transparency about the product that includes:

Product information: Name or a unique product identifier (UID); Model; Batch number; Warranty detail; Manufacturing date; Product type.

A global trade identification number as provided for in standard ISO/IEC or equivalent of products or their parts.

A tariff of the European Union code (TARIC) and other relevant commodity codes. (A TARIC-French Tarif intégré des Communautés européenes) is a multilingual database integrating all measures relating to EU customs tariff, commercial and agricultural legislation.

Information on materials

  • Origins of materials used in the product.
  • A list of components that make it up.
  • Detailed information about the materials and parts used in the product, including quantities and sources.

Technical specifications

  • Product performance details and capabilities, including power ratings, dimensions, weight, and other relevant details.

Ownership history

  • Who purchased the business originally and who the subsequent owners have been.

Production and traceability details

  • Information about where/how the product was manufactured, including the location of factories, production methods, and traceability information about the supply chain, covering the journey of the product from raw materials to the end consumer.

Environmental impact

  • Data on the product’s carbon footprint, water usage, and other environmental impacts throughout its lifecycle, from production to disposal.
  • The release of microplastic or nano plastic during the production, use, or disposal of the product.

Safety and compliance information

  • Details on compliance with various safety and environmental regulations, certifications, and standards.

Usage instructions

  • Information on how to use the product correctly and safely.

Maintenance and aftercare

  • Guidelines for maintaining the product, including cleaning instructions and recommended repair or service providers.

Recycling, disposal, EOL

  • Instructions on how to dispose of or recycle the product responsibly at the end of its life, including information about recyclable parts.

Warranty and service information

  • Details about warranty periods, service centers, and contact information for customer support.
Graphic-Person looking at phone with popout information illustrating common details of a DPP

Who validates the collected product data and information before the company is granted a DPP?

According to current information, the agency responsible for validating the data within a digital passport is the EU. They are driving the regulatory framework behind it and will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and compliance of the information collected.

The EU, ESPR makes digital product passports mandatory for all businesses operating on the territory of the EU. Other than outlining what data must be included in a digital passport, it also includes deadlines by which passports must be finalized and published. By 2026, The European Commission’s (EC) digital registry will be able to store unique identifiers of digital passports.

All information requirements for a digital passport should be relevant and serve a purpose—every piece of information provides a clear scope and a solid user benefit along the product lifecycle. Data included in a digital product passport must be current. A product’s DPP must stay available until the end of the product’s lifecycle. A backup copy should also be made available through a delegated service provider.13