What’s a Digital Product Passport?

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a tool that gives you info about how sustainable a product is. It’s like a digital ID card for items you buy. When you scan a QR code on a product, you can see details about it. This includes what it’s made of, how much carbon it creates, how to fix it, and how to recycle it.

Products in Europe need DPPs

The European Union (EU) is making new rules. Soon, products sold there will need Digital Product Passports. Companies will have to share more about how their goods affect the planet.

These rules aim to create a “circular economy.” In this system, people use, reuse, and recycle products. It’s different from a “linear economy,” where folks use things once and throw them away.

DPPs also help stop “greenwashing.” That’s when companies pretend to be eco-friendly to look good. But they don’t really do much to help the earth. When customers find out, they stop trusting those brands.

Building a better economy

The EU wants to fix some big problems with DPPs. These include:

• Wasting natural resources
• Hurting the environment
• Not reusing or recycling enough
• Causing social issues
• Different countries handling sustainability in different ways

A DPP lets everyone in the supply chain see info about a product. This includes:

• Makers
• Importers
• Sellers
• Fixers
• Buyers

The info is easy to get and use. It helps people decide how to use, recycle, or get rid of things. The EU is still working on the exact rules for DPPs. But learning about them now can help your business get ready.

How Digital Product Passports help create a more circular economy

Digital Product Passports play a key role in building a more sustainable economy. These passports give you important details about a product’s lifecycle. They show where materials come from, how items are made, and ways to reuse or recycle them.

With this information, you can make smarter choices about what you buy. You’ll know which products are built to last or easy to fix. This helps cut down on waste and keeps things out of landfills.

Companies also benefit from Digital Product Passports. They can track materials through the supply chain and find ways to reuse them. This saves money and resources.

Here are some ways Digital Product Passports support a circular economy:

• Boost repair: You get info on how to fix items yourself or find repair shops
• Improve recycling: Recyclers learn what materials are in a product
• Increase reuse: You see how to give products a second life
• Build trust: Clear data helps you pick truly sustainable items

Digital Product Passports make it easier for everyone to take part in a circular economy. They give you the facts you need to use products longer and dispose of them wisely. This small change can have a big impact on cutting waste and saving resources.

Who needs to create a Digital Product Passport?

Manufacturers are usually responsible for creating Digital Product Passports in the EU. You might also need to create one if you’re an importer, distributor, dealer, or fulfillment service provider. The EU calls these roles “economic operators.” If you’re bringing products into the EU market, you should check if you fall into one of these categories.

What’s in it for you?

Digital Product Passports bring many perks to different groups. Let’s look at how they can help you.

If you’re a shopper, these passports let you compare products based on how green they are. You can see care guides, repair info, and proof that the item is real. This helps you make smart choices and take good care of your stuff.

For companies that make things, these passports prove their eco-claims. They can learn how people use their products and talk to customers about fixes if needed. This builds trust and helps them do better.

Stores gain too. They can check if products are real and give you trusted details. This makes you more likely to believe what they say about their goods.

If you fix things, you’ll get info on spare parts and how to do repairs safely. You might even spot ways to stop problems before they start.

For those who recycle, these passports help sort items and find valuable materials. This makes recycling more effective.

Here’s a quick list of benefits for you as a buyer:

• Compare products based on how green they are
• Get care and use guides
• Find repair services
• Check if a product is real
• Join brand communities
• Earn rewards
• Find ways to rent or share items

These passports make products more open and honest. This is good for the earth and helps you make choices you can feel good about.

How DPPs boost the business case for green practices

Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are gaining traction among businesses as a tool to enhance sustainability efforts. A recent survey shows that 68% of business respondents support providing environmental impact data through DPPs. This high level of buy-in suggests companies see value in transparent sustainability reporting.

DPPs allow you to share key info about your products’ environmental and social impacts. Consumers and environmental groups strongly favor including both types of data. In fact, 88% of consumers want environmental details, while 85% seek social impact info. These high percentages point to growing demand for sustainable and ethical products.

By using DPPs, you can tap into this consumer interest. Studies show that when all else is equal, people are 2-3 times more likely to pick the greenest option. Many will even pay a bit more for eco-friendly items. This preference for sustainable goods creates a clear business case for adopting DPPs and green practices.

Some key info you might include in a DPP:

• Carbon footprint
• Recycled material content
• Fair labor practices
• Packaging sustainability

By embracing DPPs, you can:

• Meet growing consumer demand • Differentiate your brand • Potentially charge premium prices • Attract sustainability-minded customers

While implementing DPPs involves some challenges, the potential benefits make a strong business case for sustainability. As more companies adopt this tool, it may become an expectation rather than a differentiator.

What do shoppers look for in a Digital Product Passport?

Key info customers want: Recycling and materials

Shoppers care a lot about recycling and what products are made of. You can boost sales by showing if your items can be recycled. Over half of people say they’re more likely to buy when they know about recycling options. Telling customers what materials you use is also important. Nearly half of shoppers want this info.

People also care about ethical production. Many want to make sure no child labor was involved in making products. Efforts to cut down on waste matter too. Sharing these details can help build trust with your customers.

Proving green claims and product origins

You can win over shoppers by backing up your sustainability claims. People want proof that products are real and made in eco-friendly ways. Showing where items come from and how they’re made helps build trust.

Customers also want to know where they can recycle products when they’re done using them. Giving clear info on recycling locations makes it easier for people to be green. This kind of transparency can make shoppers more likely to choose your brand.

By sharing these details in a Digital Product Passport, you can help customers feel good about their purchases. It shows you care about being open and doing the right thing for the planet.

Stopping false green claims

Digital Product Passports can help stop companies from making fake green claims. Some businesses say they’re eco-friendly to get more customers, but they might not really be helping the planet. This is called greenwashing.

A Digital Product Passport gives proof that a company is doing what it says. You can trust a brand more when you see they’re backing up their words with action.

Some big companies have gotten in trouble for greenwashing:

• Delta Air Lines faced a lawsuit about their carbon neutral claims
• Evian Natural Spring Water was sued about their carbon credits
• Nivea, TotalEnergies, and KLM had legal issues over net-zero claims
• Even FIFA got bad press about their statements

You can use a Digital Product Passport to check if a company’s green claims are true. It lets you and others track a product’s eco-friendliness from start to finish. This way, you can be sure the brand’s sustainability claims are real.

When you see a Digital Product Passport, you know the company is being honest about its green efforts. It’s a tool that helps you make smart choices and support truly eco-friendly products.

What’s the EU’s Digital Product Passport law?

The EU is working on new rules to make products more eco-friendly. These rules build on past efforts to help the environment. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a key part of this plan.

The EU wants to change how things are made and used. They aim to cut waste and help the planet. The DPP fits into this big picture.

You might wonder what the DPP does. It’s a tool to track products through their life. It will show info about how items are made, used, and recycled.

The EU has set big goals for the future. They want to be carbon neutral by 2050. The DPP is one way to help reach this target.

The new rules will affect many types of products. Before, only energy-related items were covered. Now, the rules will apply to more things you buy and use.

The EU plans to roll out these changes over time. You can expect more detailed rules for different products in the coming years.

This law is part of the EU’s push for a “circular economy.” That means using resources wisely and cutting down on waste.

The DPP law will change how companies make and sell products in Europe. It will also give you more info about the things you buy.

Which industries need to use product passports?

Many industries will soon need to use digital product passports. These passports will help track products through their lifecycle. The first rules are already in place for batteries. This gives a peek at what’s coming for other sectors.

Key industries that will likely need product passports include:

• Electronics and tech devices
• Cars and vehicle batteries
• Clothes and textiles
• Plastics
• Furniture
• Buildings and construction materials
• Chemicals
• Food products

These passports won’t be needed for things like:

• Plants and animals
• Human-derived products
• Medicine
• Items used to grow plants or breed animals

The goal is to boost the circular economy in major manufacturing sectors. This will help you track and reuse materials better.

When will this happen?

The timeline for putting Digital Product Passports in place varies by industry. For batteries, the rules kick in on February 18, 2027. This affects large batteries used in vehicles and industry.

For other sectors like textiles, electronics, plastics, furniture, and construction, the process is still ongoing. Rules are being made between 2023 and 2027.

You can expect changes in how products are made and sold over the next few years. Companies will need time to adjust their practices. The exact dates may shift as plans are finalized. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on updates in your industry.

What do you need to know?

How to access the information

You’ll need a way to get the DPP data. This could be a QR code on the product, a barcode, or an RFID tag. QR codes are common and easy to use. You can scan them with your phone to open a webpage with the DPP info. Barcodes are cheap but can have errors. RFID tags hold more data but need special scanners. Watermarks are hard to copy but also need special scanners.

Which products it applies to

DPPs can be for a whole product line, a batch of items, or just one item. Rules for each type of product will say which level to use. It’s harder to track data for single items than for whole product lines.

What details to include

DPPs should have info to help you make smart choices. Some key points are:

• How long the product lasts
• If it needs special care items
• How easy it is to fix
• If it can be reused or remade
• What it’s made of
• How much energy it uses
• If it has recycled parts
• How to recycle it

Different products will have their own required details. For example, battery makers have to give specific tech info in their DPPs.

Where the data is kept

Companies can pick where to store the DPP data. There’s a main list that keeps track of product ID numbers linked to DPPs. This setup lets the system change with new business ideas. It keeps DPPs able to adapt as needed.

Social impact factors

Social impact reporting is gaining traction among consumers, especially younger generations. Many people want to buy from companies that care about important issues. This includes how businesses treat workers and help communities.

You might see more details about a company’s social efforts in product information soon. This could cover things like:

• Donations to good causes • Employee volunteer programs • Fair pay practices • Safe working conditions • No child labor policies

Companies may start sharing this data to connect with customers who care about social issues. Young shoppers in particular look for brands that match their values. They believe businesses can make positive changes in society.

Some key areas companies might report on:

Social Impact Area	Examples
Community Support	Donations, volunteering
Worker Wellbeing	Fair wages, safety measures
Ethical Practices	Labor certifications, anti-child labor policies

Sharing this information could help improve supply chain transparency. You’d be able to see how products are made and who makes them. This lets you choose items that align with what matters to you.

As more people ask for this data, businesses may add it to product details. It gives you a fuller picture of a company’s impact beyond just the item you’re buying.

Can blockchains be eco-friendly and used for data sharing?

Blockchains have come a long way in terms of sustainability. New tech advances have made them much greener. The proof-of-stake method now used by some networks has cut electricity use by a huge amount. This new approach is way more energy-efficient than older systems.

Some blockchain networks are even going carbon-negative. They’re not just reducing their impact, but actively helping the environment. This big shift makes blockchains a more viable option for all kinds of uses, including data sharing.

You can now use blockchain for data sharing without worrying as much about harming the planet. The tech has evolved to be more earth-friendly while still offering the benefits of secure, decentralized data management.

What are some Digital Product Passport examples?

Bon+Berg: Blockchain-based passport for eco-friendly underwear

Bon+Berg, an Irish company, makes sustainable women’s underwear. They use a blockchain system to store their sustainability data. This keeps the info safe and easy to check. You can see their sustainability info quickly through a special viewer. It’s a good way for you to learn about their eco-friendly practices.

The Morphbag by GSK: flexible cloud-based passport

The Morphbag is a London brand that makes vegan leather bags. They use a cloud-based passport to show their sustainability efforts. This system lets them update info as they change their practices. You can see their data on a website without downloading anything. It’s an easy way for you to check their green efforts.

Simple Chic: branded passport for custom clothes

Simple Chic is an Australian brand that makes custom women’s clothes. They have their own branded passport system. You can access it through a QR code on their products. This lets Simple Chic control how you see their brand and sustainability info. It’s a direct way for you to learn about their eco-friendly practices.

Tammam: blockchain passport for high-end fashion

Tammam is a London fashion studio that makes high-end clothes. They use a blockchain passport for their new scarf line. This line features prints of climate change effects from space photos. Their passport shows you every step of how they make these scarves. It’s a clear way for you to see their whole production process.

These examples show how brands use digital passports. They help you learn about product sustainability. Each brand uses a different system that fits their needs. Some use blockchain, others use the cloud. But they all aim to give you clear info about their eco-friendly efforts.

Checking if products are real

Digital Product Passports (DPPs) help you spot fake items. Each product gets its own digital record that tracks where it came from and how it was made. This record is stored on a secure online system called a blockchain.

When you buy something, you can look up its DPP. This tells you if the product is real. You can see details about its materials and where they came from. You can also check how the item was designed and made.

DPPs are safer than paper records. No one can change the information once it’s on the blockchain. This makes it hard for fake products to slip through.

Brands use DPPs to prove their products are real. This builds trust with customers like you. It also helps stop fake goods from being sold.

• DPPs track product origins • Information stored on secure blockchain • Details on materials and production • Can’t be changed or faked • Helps you spot real vs. fake items

DPPs give you more trust in what you buy. You can be sure you’re getting the real thing.

How can companies enhance customer interactions?

Brands can use digital product passports to create better experiences for customers. These passports are not just for tracking items. They can also help build lasting relationships with buyers.

Companies can add fun brand content to digital passports. This helps customers see how products fit their lifestyle. It’s a chance to show off what makes the brand special.

Digital passports open up new ways to sell more. Brands can suggest extra services or products that go well together. They might offer maintenance plans or rental options.

Using blockchain for these passports brings extra benefits. Customers with tokenized passports can get special perks. These could be deals other people can’t access.

Brands can send rewards right to the passport. This could be discounts on future buys or invites to special events. Customers just need to show they have the right token to get these perks.

Some companies create access passes. These group together different rewards from the brand or its partners. It’s an easy way to give loyal customers lots of benefits at once.

Token holders can also get into private brand spaces online. They might find how-to guides or get to ask questions to product experts. It’s like joining an exclusive club for fans of the brand.

Digital passports can even work as tickets to events. Customers can prove they own a product and get into real-life or online brand gatherings. It makes them feel part of something bigger.

Brands can use these passports to show they care about good causes. When a customer uses their passport, it could trigger a donation to charity. This links the product to helping others.

For brands that care about the planet, blockchain passports can help. They can show customers exactly how the company is working to be green. This proves the brand is serious about its promises.

Smart contracts on the blockchain make all this possible. They set rules for how tokens work and what happens when customers use them. This creates trust between brands and buyers.

By using digital passports in these ways, brands can make each customer feel valued. It’s not just about selling a product. It’s about creating a whole experience around owning and using it.

These tools help brands stay connected with customers long after the first sale. They can keep offering value and building loyalty over time. This turns one-time buyers into lifelong fans.

Should companies consider Digital Product Passports?

How EU rules shape global standards

The EU’s Digital Product Passport rules apply to companies selling in EU markets. But these standards may impact businesses worldwide.

Companies should think about using Digital Product Passports now. This can help ensure products meet standards when working with global suppliers. It also prepares businesses to enter EU markets later, giving them an edge.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) shows how EU laws can spread. This 2018 privacy law was made for the EU. But many global companies follow it anyway. It has also shaped other privacy laws, like California’s.

You’ve likely seen “Accept Cookies” pop-ups on websites. This common feature came from GDPR, even for sites not focused on Europe. It shows how EU rules can change business practices globally.

Digital Product Passports may follow a similar path. While aimed at the EU, they could become a global standard. Getting ready now can help you stay ahead in sustainability and compliance.

What happens if you don’t follow the rules?

Not complying with DPP regulations in the EU can lead to penalties. Each EU country sets its own fines, which must be strong enough to deter violations. When deciding on penalties, countries may look at how serious the violation is and how many products it affects. The goal is to make sure companies take compliance seriously.

How to roll out Digital Product Passports strategically

Get going

Start by getting ready for Digital Product Passports (DPPs). This is good for the planet and society. Pick a few products to try DPPs on first. Gather data about these products and create digital versions of their passports. See how people react to your new focus on sustainability.

Next, use DPPs to connect with younger customers. Many young people care a lot about brands that share their values, like caring for the environment and making a positive impact.

After you’ve launched your first DPPs, add ways for customers to interact with them. Keep testing and improving how your DPPs work to make sure customers have a good experience.

Finally, expand your use of DPPs. The EU is making laws about them, and other places might follow. By this point, you’ve tried out DPPs, gotten feedback, and made them better.

Now it’s time to add more products to your DPP system. You can connect it to your product information systems. Keep track of how people use the DPPs and use them to share your brand’s message with customers. Make sure your product data is accurate by planning regular checks.

By following these steps, you can learn how to use DPPs well. This will help you follow new laws and do what’s right for the environment.

Here are some tips to help you implement DPPs:

1. Start small: Choose a few products to try DPPs on first.
2. Get feedback: Ask customers what they think about your DPPs.
3. Make it easy: Create a simple way for people to use your DPPs.
4. Be accurate: Double-check all the information in your DPPs.
5. Stay up-to-date: Keep an eye on new laws about DPPs.

Remember, DPPs are a new tool to help your business and the planet. Take it step by step, and you’ll be on the right track.

Frequently asked questions

How do companies set up digital passports for clothes?

Digital passports for clothes use special tags or codes on garments. These link to online databases with product details. Companies scan items and upload data about materials, production, and care instructions. Shoppers can then access this info by scanning the tag with their phones.

What rules apply to digital passports in France?

France requires digital passports for some products starting in 2023. These must show environmental impact info. Details on materials, recycling, and repairs are needed. The exact rules vary by product type.

When must businesses start using digital passports?

EU plans call for digital passports to be in place by 2026. Some countries like France have earlier deadlines. Many companies are starting to use them now to get ready. The exact timing depends on the product and country.

What key parts make up an EU-compliant digital passport?

EU digital passports need: • Unique product ID • Info on materials and chemicals • Instructions for reuse and recycling • Environmental and social impact data • Supply chain traceability

Can you give an example of a company using digital passports well?

H&M Group uses digital IDs on Arket brand clothes. Shoppers scan a QR code to see: • Product materials • Factory location • Care and repair tips • Recycling options

This helps customers make informed choices and care for items longer.

Which laws govern digital product passports?

Key EU laws include: • Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation • Digital Product Passport Initiative • Circular Economy Action Plan

These aim to boost product lifespans and recycling. Rules differ by country and are still evolving.