EU Digital Product Passport DPP - TX
The EU-DPP will be a Federated Framework of Technical Datasets:
A EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a structured dataset, designed to be interoperable, machine-readable, searchable, and transferable. It exists within an open, vendor-neutral data exchange network to prevent vendor lock-in. There will be a central registry with all EU-DPPs, the registry will have a link/pointer towards the actual DPP data set.
ESPR and Information Obligations
Under the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the DPP provides information on purchase, use, and end-of-life. Fulfilling the EU's goal of supporting new circular business models (repair, refill, remanufacture, recycle) and to inform buyers on product sustainability and environmental impact.
Digital Access via QR and Other Options:
The ESPR allows for required DPP information to be available through multiple formats:
- In applications (machine-readable), for example used by EU Customs & EU Market Surveillance Authorities via the EU DPP registry.
- Printed directly on the product,
- Printed on product packaging (the trade item),
- Labels (e.g., energy labels, now mandated under ESPR). Example we already know: Energy Labels
- User manuals or other documentation,
- Accessible on the product page in a website, webshop or marketplace
- Accessible on a Dedicate Product Site that can be accessed by scanning a QR code on the packaging (also called eLabel, Smartlabel).
Physical-to-Digital Bridge with Data Carriers (QR Code)
- EU regulations envision data carriers on the product itself—like RFID tags in clothing or QR codes on devices—to bridge physical and digital realms.
- Although the EU terminology primarily refers to products, there is an assumption that data carriers could also be applied to packaging (trade items). This distinction highlights the EU's product-centric view, contrasting with GS1's packaging-oriented system (like GTIN barcodes).
Important to know: Food, Pet Food & Pharmaceuticals are excluded from the EU-DPP scope