The digital product passport is coming. Are you prepared?
The introduction of the digital product passport is part of a comprehensive transformation toward a circular economy and presents companies with technical and organizational challenges. It requires close cooperation along the supply chain, the adaptation of existing IT systems, and compliance with new technical standards and data requirements.
Those who act early can not only meet regulatory requirements but also secure competitive advantage – provided that product data is structured, complete, and digitally accessible.
What is the Digital Product Passport?
The Digital Product Passport is a structured, digital data set that provides all relevant information about a product throughout its entire life cycle. It contains information on material composition and origin, carbon footprint, environmental impact, repairability, maintenance, disposal, legal compliance, and certifications.
The aim of the Digital Product Passport is to increase the sustainability and transparency of products while promoting reuse, recycling, and repair.
How does the Digital Product Passport work?
It is based on a uniform data model defined by the EU as part of the ESPR (Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products). QR codes or RFID tags make the product information machine-readable and accessible along the supply chain.
Technical requirements at a glance
Unique product identification: Each product is given a machine-readable label, e.g., via QR codes, RFID, or the GS1 Digital Link.
Data accessibility: The digital product passport must be stored in a way that is easy to read and machine-readable—preferably in open formats such as JSON or XML.
Interoperability: All players in the supply chain must adhere to uniform standards.
Data security: Protection of sensitive product information while ensuring accessibility.
Central EU register: For identification, authentication, and market surveillance.
These requirements make it clear that the structuring and harmonization of product data is crucial, and this is exactly where Product Information Management (PIM) comes into play.
Challenges for manufacturers and retailers
Manufacturers:
Manufacturers bear the main responsibility for creating and maintaining the digital product passport. They must digitally capture and manage extensive product data, adapt their IT systems, and ensure that the data is provided in a complete, up-to-date, and standard-compliant manner.
Data collection and management: Recording all relevant product information in suitable systems.
System integration: Adapting PIM, ERP, and PLM systems to map DPP-compliant data fields and processes.
Data provision: Exporting data in standardized DPP formats.
Collaboration with suppliers: Ensuring that all partners can provide the necessary data.
Retailers:
Retailers also face challenges. They must make the Digital Product Passport visible to end customers, adapt internal processes, train employees, and ensure data quality. Only then can the DPP function as an information tool in sales and after-sales service.
What role does a PIM system play in the Digital Product Passport?
A powerful Product Information Management (PIM) system forms the central platform for meeting the requirements of the Digital Product Passport. Without a modern PIM system, data quality, structure, and provision can hardly be guaranteed.
Advantages of a PIM for the DPP
- Central data collection and management: The PIM system serves as a “single source of truth” and enables all DPP-relevant product data to be stored and maintained centrally.
- Data structuring and data harmonization: In the PIM, data can be standardized, enriched, and converted into the standardized format required by the Digital Product Passport.
- Automated workflows: Changes in product data automatically trigger updates in the DPP.
- Integration with standards such as GS1 Digital Link: PIM systems generate GTIN-based URLs for the Digital Product Passport.
- API interfaces: Interfaces allow data to be transferred to external systems, such as recycling systems, service portals, or apps.
A good PIM system is therefore the key to efficiently meeting the technical, organizational, and regulatory requirements of the Digital Product Passport.
What data is required for the digital product passport?
The most important data fields include:
Material and component information
Origin and supply chain
CO₂ emissions and environmental impact
Maintenance, repair, disposal
Certificates and legal documentation
This information comes from various sources (e.g., supplier databases, ERP systems, or technical documentation) and must be harmonized in the PIM system to be consistent and verifiable.
What requirements does the Digital Product Passport place on manufacturers and retailers?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) presents manufacturers and retailers with new requirements in terms of transparency, data quality, and system integration. In order to comply with legal requirements while creating added value for customers and partners, companies must provide their product information in a complete, traceable, and standardized form. This requires linking internal systems such as PIM, ERP, or CMS solutions and creating interfaces through which data can be exchanged securely and automatically. Equally important are clearly defined processes for structuring and harmonizing product data so that information from different sources can be consolidated consistently.
In addition, the introduction of the digital product passport requires employees to be familiar with the new standards, tools, and processes. This is the only way to ensure the quality of the data in the long term. The better the product data is maintained and structured in the PIM system, the smoother the implementation of the digital product passport will be and the greater the benefits for the entire company.
communicode: Your partner for the Digital Product Passport
As a digital agency with many years of experience in implementing complex PIM projects, communicode supports companies on their journey to the Digital Product Passport – holistically, strategically, and with an open approach to technology.
Our services:
Technical consulting: Analysis of your product data and DPP requirements
Strategic planning: Roadmap development for DPP implementation
Technological implementation: Integration of existing systems and interfaces
Data modeling: Structuring and standardization of PIM data
System integration: Seamless connection of external platforms and registers
Conclusion: Act now – shape the future
The digital product passport is more than just a regulatory requirement – it is a strategic tool for sustainability, transparency, and trust. Companies that invest in product information management (PIM) and clean data structures now are laying the foundation for efficient processes, legally compliant product information, and long-term competitive advantages.
We support you – from strategy and data harmonization to the technical implementation of the Digital Product Passport.
Event tip: ThinkChange – From PIM to PXM
At our ThinkChange – From PIM to PXM event, discover how to make your product data DPP-ready and customer-centric. Learn how structured data can be turned into tangible product experiences (PXM) and how to achieve successful and sustainable product communication.
More information and registration
Related links
Compact analysis of PIM: The fast track to better product data
Your path to efficient product data management
GPSR: Product safety in e-commerce
FAQ: Digital product passport – Frequently asked questions
Michael Wolfframm
As a Business Consultant, Michael Wolfframm is responsible for the Business Solutions division at communicode. In his career - especially at Triumph (Japan) - he has intensively dealt with the processes around logistics and fulfilment in wholesale and e-business. (E-)Business consulting, conception and development of customer experience, online marketing and automation are among his current topics.