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Digital Product Passport (DPP)

E-commerce strategy1/5/2026Advanced Level

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital record providing comprehensive information about a product's sustainability, origin, and lifecycle, often accessed via a QR code.

What is Digital Product Passport (DPP)? (Definition)

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital record that tracks a product throughout its entire life cycle. It is a central part of the European Union's plan to reduce waste and encourage recycling. This passport stores data about raw materials, manufacturing methods, and the environmental impact of a product. It also provides instructions on how to repair or recycle the item when it is no longer needed. Consumers and businesses can usually access this data by scanning a QR code on the product. This transparency helps people make better buying choices and helps companies manage their sustainability goals. Tools like WISEPIM make it easier for brands to gather and share this required product information accurately.

Why Digital Product Passport (DPP) is Important for E-commerce

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital record that tracks a product's lifecycle. It is especially important for brands selling in the EU. Companies must collect and share data on material sources, repair options, and recycling methods. This information must be stored in a PIM system so customers can access it easily. Providing this data helps shoppers compare products based on their environmental impact. Brands that follow these rules build stronger trust with their customers. Failing to comply can lead to fines or being blocked from the European market.

Examples of Digital Product Passport (DPP)

  • 1A clothing brand uses a DPP for each shirt. It shows where the cotton grew and how the fabric was dyed. It also explains how to recycle the item.
  • 2A phone maker uses a DPP to share repair scores and battery guides. The passport also lists where the minerals inside the phone came from.
  • 3A furniture company uses WISEPIM to organize data for their DPPs. They track the wood, glue, and finishes used in a desk and provide instructions for recycling.
  • 4A home appliance company uses a DPP to show how much energy a washing machine uses. It also tells customers how long the product lasts and where to buy spare parts.

How WISEPIM Helps

  • WISEPIM stores all your product data in one central place. You can manage everything from material lists to repair guides in a single system.
  • The system organizes your data to follow new laws and standards. This helps you stay ready as DPP rules change over time.
  • You can easily share product details with other platforms. The software also lets you create QR codes so customers can access the passport instantly.

Common Mistakes with Digital Product Passport (DPP)

  • Many companies underestimate how much data a DPP needs. They often miss small details required by law. This leads to incomplete passports that do not meet official standards.
  • Some businesses ignore global data standards like GS1 Digital Link. This makes it hard for other systems to read the passport. Data becomes stuck in one place instead of being useful to others.
  • Waiting for new laws to start before acting is a mistake. Rushed data collection is often expensive and messy. You might lose the right to sell products if you are not ready on time.
  • Teams often work alone instead of sharing information. Sourcing, IT, and marketing must work together from the start. This prevents missing data and ensures the product story is complete.
  • Do not treat the DPP as just a legal chore. It is a tool to build trust with customers. It also helps your company find ways to be more sustainable and efficient.

Tips for Digital Product Passport (DPP)

  • Look at your current data to see what you already have. Identify gaps where you need more info, like material types or carbon footprints, to meet DPP rules.
  • Use a PIM system to store all your product details in one central spot. A tool like WISEPIM helps you manage DPP data easily and keeps your information consistent everywhere.
  • Work closely with your suppliers and manufacturers from the start. You will need their help to gather details about raw materials and how products are made.
  • Test the DPP process with one product category first. This lets you practice collecting data and solving issues before you try to do it for every product you sell.
  • Turn your DPP data into a strength for your brand. Use the information to prove your sustainability claims and help customers understand the full history of what they buy.

Trends Surrounding Digital Product Passport (DPP)

  • AI-powered data aggregation and validation: Utilizing AI to automate the collection, verification, and enrichment of the vast and diverse data required for DPPs from various internal and external sources.
  • Blockchain for immutable traceability: Implementing blockchain technology to create secure, transparent, and unalterable records of a product's lifecycle, enhancing trust in DPP data integrity.
  • Deep integration with PIM and PLM systems: DPP data is becoming a core attribute within Product Information Management (PIM) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platforms, centralizing its creation and distribution.
  • Enhanced consumer engagement through DPPs: Beyond compliance, brands are leveraging DPPs to tell richer product stories, highlight sustainability efforts, and provide detailed care/repair information directly to consumers.
  • Standardization and interoperability initiatives: Ongoing efforts by industry consortia and regulatory bodies to define common data models, technical standards, and APIs to ensure seamless data exchange across the DPP ecosystem.

Tools for Digital Product Passport (DPP)

  • WISEPIM: Centralized management of complex product data, including sustainability attributes, material breakdowns, and lifecycle information, essential for DPP creation, enrichment, and multi-channel distribution.
  • Akeneo PIM: A flexible PIM solution for collecting, enriching, and distributing extensive product information, adaptable to manage the diverse data sets required for DPP compliance.
  • Salsify PXM: A Product Experience Management platform that helps businesses gather, manage, and syndicate product content and digital assets, including detailed sustainability data for DPPs.
  • SAP PLM: Product Lifecycle Management systems are crucial for tracking product data from design through end-of-life, providing a foundational source for much of the information required in a DPP.
  • Custom Blockchain Solutions: Specialized platforms or services utilizing blockchain to ensure the immutability and verifiable traceability of product components and lifecycle events for DPPs.

Related Terms

data governancelocalizationproduct lifecycle management plmchannel specific data requirementsproduct information management pim

Also Known As

Product sustainability passportCircular economy passportDigital product identifier