Products in the EU will receive a digital passport

Why is a digital product passport needed?

One of the basic principles of the circular economy is that the materials in products remain in use for as long as possible. However, selective collection and recycling are not enough for this: it is also important to have accurate information about what a product is made of, how it can be disassembled, and what materials are contained in it. Today, this information is often missing. When a smartphone, laptop or household appliance becomes waste, for example, processors can often only decide based on estimates what materials are contained in it.
The European Union is therefore introducing a digital system that can make the entire life cycle of products traceable: this is the digital product passport.

Digital data sheet for every product

A digital product passport is essentially an online data sheet that contains the most important characteristics of a given product. The system is usually linked to a QR code, a digital identifier or, in industrial environments, an RFID tag. When this identifier is read by a phone, a service or a waste management IT system, the digital profile of the product is displayed.

However, this is not a static document. The aim is precisely to update the data throughout the product’s life cycle: manufacturers, service providers, recyclers or even authorities can supplement the information.

The digital product passport is a central element of the European Union’s new sustainable product policy. The system is linked to the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which aims to make products more durable, repairable and recyclable. Details of the regulation can be found on the European Council’s website.

What data does a digital product passport contain?

Depending on the type of product, a variety of information may appear in the digital data sheet. The system may include information about the manufacturer, the type of product or model, the time and place of manufacture, and unique serial numbers or digital identifiers.

Since one of the main goals of the system is the traceability of materials, the data sheet may also record the raw materials from which the product is made, whether it contains critical raw materials, and how much recycled material was used in its production.

The digital passport may also provide information on how to disassemble the product, which parts can be replaced, and what repair instructions are available. It may also include environmental data, such as the product’s expected lifespan, energy requirements, or recycling options.
It is important to note, however, that some of the information will be public, while other data will only be accessible to certain actors, such as service centers or authorities.

The entire product life cycle can be digitally tracked

One of the most important goals of the digital product passport is to make the entire life cycle of a product – from production to waste disposal – traceable.

The process begins at production, when a digital data sheet is created and the basic product data is recorded. When the product is put on the market, a QR code or other digital identifier connects the physical object to the online database.

During use, service centers can update the data – for example, when replacing parts or performing maintenance. If the product is later resold or recycled, the digital data sheet can help determine the condition and value of the device.

When the product finally becomes waste, processors can already have accurate information about what materials it contains, so they can more effectivelyud sorted and recycled.

The digital product passport is not a physical document and in most cases does not represent a built-in tracker in the product. The information is stored in online databases or corporate systems, and the physical product usually only has an identifier – such as a QR code or digital serial number – that points to an online data sheet.

Which products may be included first?

The digital product passport will not be introduced for all products at once: the European Union plans to gradually introduce the system in each product category.

The details of the regulation can be found on the European Commission website: it will primarily apply to products for which material traceability and recycling are particularly important. These may include, for example, electric car batteries, electronic devices such as phones and laptops, textile products, and certain construction materials and industrial equipment.