Hello there, Sophie Charpentier, co-author of the report ‘Data for traceability and digital product passports: Tips and overview’.
What is your report about?
– The report is about how we can use digital product passports to support a more circular economy. We focus on how data on the life cycle of products – such as origin, materials, reparability and recycling options – can be collected, shared and used in an efficient and secure way. The report is part of Work Package 2 of Trace4Value and highlights both the opportunities and challenges of digital product passports.
What are digital product passports, and why are they important?
– A digital product passport is like a digital identity for a product. It provides information on the entire life cycle of the product, from manufacturing to recycling, helping both businesses and consumers make sustainable decisions. They are important because they help increase transparency in the value chain and enable a more resource-efficient and circular economy. Digital product passports also help us meet the new EU requirements for sustainable products.
What are the main insights from the report?
– One of the key insights is the need for standards. For data sharing to work effectively, we need international and industry-specific standards that all actors can use. We also see that smaller companies face greater challenges in implementing digital product passports, especially in terms of resources and technical capacity. At the same time, the potential for innovation is huge – by working more data-driven, companies can optimise their processes and create new business opportunities.
What challenges do you see ahead?
– A major challenge is to balance the need for transparency with protecting sensitive data, such as trade secrets and personal data. This requires both technical solutions and clear rules. Another challenge is coordinating work across sectors and countries in the EU, where each industry has its specific needs and circumstances.
How can businesses start preparing for digital product passports?
– The most important thing is to start early. Businesses need to identify what data is needed and ensure that it can be collected and shared in a secure and efficient way. It is also wise to keep up to date with new standards and regulatory requirements from the EU. For smaller businesses, it can be beneficial to work with industry organisations for support and guidance.
When will digital product passports become a requirement in the EU?
– EU rules on digital product passports will come into force from 2026 and will initially cover sectors such as textiles, furniture and electronics. This is a tight timeframe, so it is important to start preparing now.
What’s next for Trace4Value?
– We continue to develop solutions and share insights with our partners and stakeholders. The next step is to ensure that digital product passports can be seamlessly integrated into different value chains and that the technical and legal challenges are addressed in a sustainable way. The full report is available on Trace4Value’s website and provides a deeper understanding of how digital product passports can contribute to a sustainable future.
