DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT
This page provides an overview of the activities, contributions, and publications of Plattform Industrie 4.0 related to the Digital Product Passport.
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a key element of the European circular economy strategy and originates from the Ecodesign Regulation. Initiated through the DPP, a digital infrastructure for circularity is being established. In the future, information along a product’s value chain will be collected, stored, and made digitally accessible (e.g., via QR code) to make specific data—such as carbon footprint, repairability, or toxic substances—readily available. This is intended to drive product circularity, better inform customers in their purchase decisions, and provide overall transparency along the value chain.
Initial DPP implementation is planned for batteries (from February 2027), textiles, iron & steel, and the construction sector (from 2028). In the coming years, additional regulations for many more product categories will be introduced. Since the Ecodesign Regulation is a framework regulation, the specifics for each product group will be defined in separate regulations and developed through Delegated Acts, planned over the next few years.
Currently, there are many open questions regarding the DPP—such as how it should be structured, what information will be required for which product groups, when it will become mandatory, and how industrial companies can implement it efficiently. Additionally, developments around the DPP are extremely dynamic: new projects and initiatives are emerging, regular updates on regulations, Delegated Acts, and standardization are being published, and more and more IT service providers are entering the market offering DPP-related services—keeping track of all of this is a challenge.
For this reason, Plattform Industrie 4.0 has been providing regular updates on the DPP since January 2024. At the core of this communication are the DPP Check-Ins—one-hour online meetings held every 1–2 months, where the most important updates on the DPP are shared.
These Check-Ins are based on the December 2023 publication “Digitaler Produktpass – Status Quo“, which compiles the fundamental information about the DPP. In addition, the “DPP Fact Sheet“ provides a summary of key points as of July 2024.
Building on these, the Check-Ins present current updates and offer a forum to discuss the latest DPP developments. Each Check-In also includes a focus topic with a guest presentation (e.g., standards for the DPP, research projects), along with the opportunity to ask questions to the DPP community or discuss specific aspects.
The DPP Check-Ins are therefore both an informational foundation and a means to build a DPP community. A follow-up report is published after each Check-In summarizing the key content and providing relevant links.
Dokuments & Posts
Digital Product Passport – Status Quo:
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the Digital Product Passport, as of December 2023. It was created based on an event held in November 2023. All materials and presentations from the event can be found [here]. This document therefore offers a solid foundational knowledge base, but does not include any new updates – the latest information is shared through the Check-Ins and their follow-up reports.
Digital Product Passport – Fact Sheet:
The Fact Sheet summarizes the most important information about the DPP in a concise format, as of July 2024. This document is recommended for anyone seeking a first, focused insight into the DPP.
DPP Check-Ins:
The DPP Check-Ins provide regular updates on the DPP. Some prior knowledge (e.g., from the Fact Sheet or the Status Quo document) is beneficial for these Check-Ins. In each Check-In, we share DPP updates, focus on a specific key topic, and aim to create a space for discussion and exchange. The Check-Ins currently take place every 1–2 months, and each includes a detailed follow-up report with lots of information and links. The follow-up reports from past Check-Ins can be found below; the most up-to-date information is always in the latest Check-In. The Check-Ins are freely available to everyone – you can register here.
- Check-In #1: 16.01.2024
- Check-In #2: 04.03.2024
- Check-In #3: 18.04.2024
- Check-In #4: 27.05.2024
- Check-In #5: 02.07.2024
- Check-In #6: 09.09.2024
- Check-In #7: 19.11.2024
- Check-In #8: 19.02.2025
- Check-In #9: 07.04.2025 – This Check-In includes the latest information about the DPP and many links to additional resources. In combination with the Fact Sheet, for example, the current Check-Ins provide a good overview of the DPP and its current status.
If you have any questions about the documents, the Check-Ins, or the DPP in general, please feel free to contact Verena Halmschlager.
