From a documentation project to a data strategy
A product is more than just the sum of its parts. A digital product passport is a structured dataset that makes relevant information about a product accessible electronically. This may include, for example, details on materials, origin, sustainability and reparability. The European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) sets out binding requirements for specific product groups. It is not QR codes or digital documentation that are new, but the requirements regarding the content, availability and exchange of data. The DPP thus becomes a strategic task: companies must provide product information consistently across systems and organisational boundaries.
Digital Product Passport: What obligations apply from 2027?
From 18 February 2027, the battery passport requirements will apply to electric vehicle batteries, batteries for light-duty vehicles (LMT batteries) and industrial batteries with a capacity of more than 2 kWh. Other product groups, such as iron, steel, textiles, aluminium, tyres, furniture and mattresses, are set to follow in stages. A distinction must be made between the enactment of the relevant regulations and when they actually become mandatory. Companies should therefore clarify at an early stage which products are affected, what information is required and which processes need to be adapted.
What data must a digital product passport contain?
Depending on the product group, the digital product passport may contain different information:
Identification and origin: manufacturer, batch and origin details.
Materials: composition, recycled content and hazardous substances.
Sustainability: carbon footprint, energy consumption and environmental characteristics.
Lifespan: Repairability, maintenance and availability of spare parts.
Circular economy: dismantling, reuse and recycling information.
Consumers, public authorities and business partners are granted different access rights. Companies must ensure that information is up to date, reliable and accessible to the relevant user groups.
Data integration as a core task
The greatest technical challenge lies in existing IT landscapes. Product information is often available, but scattered across ERP, PLM, PIM and external supplier systems. Uniform data models and interoperable interfaces are therefore crucial. If, for example, a supplier changes the material composition of a component, the corresponding sustainability data and documentation must also be updated. Without integrated data flows, this leads to manual effort, inconsistencies and errors. The digital product passport thus gives companies a concrete reason to modernise their data architectures and better interlink information along the value chain.
Ensuring data quality and governance
Technical interfaces alone are not enough. Companies need clear responsibilities and rules for handling product data. It is crucial to determine which systems are considered the master data sources, who maintains and verifies the information, and how changes remain traceable throughout the entire product lifecycle. Suppliers must also be integrated into common standards and data exchange processes. Robust data governance lays the foundations for regulatory compliance and reliable digital processes.
More than just regulation: opportunities for digitalisation and sustainability
The Digital Product Passport opens up new possibilities that go beyond legal requirements. Structured product data can make supply chains more transparent, improve maintenance and service offerings, and facilitate the reuse of materials. Internal processes also benefit: if data is made available across systems, the effort required for manual maintenance and coordination is reduced. In this way, the DPP can become the starting point for data-driven business models and a more interconnected circular economy.
What companies should do now
Five steps are recommended for successful preparation:
Assess the current situation: Identify affected products, current and planned DDP requirements, and existing data.
Review the system landscape: Analyse data flows between ERP, PLM, PIM and external systems.
Establish governance: Define responsibilities, quality standards and access rights.
Launch a pilot project: Test the requirements on a selected product group.
Create a scalable architecture: Align data models and processes with further product groups.
This enables regulatory requirements to be met step by step whilst simultaneously building digital structures that can be utilised in the long term.
Conclusion: The digital product passport as a catalyst for data excellence
The digital product passport is transforming the way product information is managed. Information that was previously scattered across systems and organisations must, in future, be available in a consistent, traceable and controlled manner. Companies that modernise their data landscape at an early stage not only lay the foundations for complying with new EU requirements; they also strengthen their ability to use data efficiently and enable new digital value creation.
