SPOTLIGHT: The European Commission Digital Product Passport

Moving to a circular economy.

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About the DPP

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) announced by the European Commission is quickly gaining momentum.

The intent of the DPP is to enable sharing of key product related information that are essential for products’ sustainability and circularity. Consequently, to accelerate the transition to circular economy, boosting material and energy efficiency, extending products lifetimes and optimising products design, manufacturing, use and end of life handling.

The DPP initiative is one part of the scheduled Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and a key part of the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP).

The idea behind this initiative is that the DPP should provide a pathway for a slow, but necessary implementation of a DPP in at least three of the initiative's key markets by 2024 – textiles is presently reported as one of the three markets.

This initiative aims to support key metrics such as environmentally conscious product production by fast-tracking Europe's transition to a circular economy, an increase in access to and quality of business data through DPP and ensuring compliance with legal obligations.

It is believed the DPP will provide new business opportunities to economic actors through circular value retention and optimisation (for example product-as-a-service activities, improved repair, servicing, remanufacturing, and recycling) based on improved access to data. Alongside supporting consumers in making sustainable choices and allowing authorities to verify compliance with legal obligations.

Why The DPP?

The textile industry is in need of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) to accelerate a transition towards sustainability and accountability.

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, it is estimated that the equivalent of one garbage truck full of textiles is landfilled or burned every second globally. Clothing waste is just one of the reasons why a transition is needed – there are other environmental impacts such as carbon emissions and micro-plastics, and social impacts to take into consideration.

The DPP can act as a game-changer by providing a comprehensive digital record of each textile product, detailing its journey from raw materials to finished garments. This level of transparency will empower consumers to make informed choices, encouraging them to support brands that prioritise ethical sourcing, responsible manufacturing practices, and environmental stewardship.

Furthermore, the DPP focuses on the implementation of circular economy principles within the textile industry. By accurately tracing the origin and composition of each textile product, it becomes easier to establish efficient recycling and upcycling processes.

Textile waste can be significantly reduced as the DPP aims to ensure that discarded clothing can be properly sorted and channelled back into the production cycle, either through recycling or reusing materials. This shift towards circularity not only minimizes environmental impact but also presents economic opportunities by creating new avenues for innovation and job creation. The DPP, with its ability to revolutionize supply chain transparency and circularity, holds the key to transforming the textile industry into a sustainable and socially responsible sector.

What type of information will the DPP look to?

The DPP is designed to contain a vast array of information about the product, including but not limited to, the materials used to make the product, the manufacturing process, supply chain partners, and other relevant data.

Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation there are a set of product requirements that define the eligibility of a DPP these include the durability of a product, the level of circularity a product has, how resource-intensive the product is, the amount of waste generated by the product, the overall environmental footprint of the product, weight and volume of product and packaging.

Additionally, there are product performance requirements, which state that the product shall not: impact the functionality of a product, negatively impact health and safety, drastically reduce the affordability of a product, impose proprietary technology on manufacturers, negatively impact competitiveness or provide administrative burden on manufacturers.

The basic requirements for a DPP must comply with the following:

• must be connected with a data carrier and provide a unique product identifier,

• the carriers should be visible on the product or packaging,

• the carrier should comply with ISO 15459:2015 certification,

• all data within DPP should be derived from open standards and should be machine-readable,

• information within DPP shall be regulated per the essential requirements set in Article 10 of the initiative.

Some key areas to consider for your business:

1. Product Identification: The DPP would include essential details to identify the product, such as a unique identifier, brand, model, and description.

2. Supply Chain Information: It would encompass information on the product's supply chain, including the names and locations of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors involved in the production process.

3. Materials and Components: The DPP would specify the materials used in the product, their composition, origin, and environmental impact. It may include information on the presence of hazardous substances or any environmentally friendly materials or certifications.

4. Energy Efficiency: For energy-consuming products, the DPP might require information on energy efficiency ratings, energy consumption, and related environmental impacts.

5. Product Lifecycle: The DPP could provide insights into the product's lifecycle, including manufacturing processes, packaging details, transportation, and disposal methods. This information can help assess the environmental impact at each stage.

6. Repairability and Durability: The DPP might include details on the product's repairability, durability, and availability of spare parts. This information would be essential for consumers and businesses to evaluate the longevity and potential for repair of the product.

7. End-of-Life Management: The DPP could cover information about the product's recyclability, disassembly instructions, and guidance on proper disposal or recycling methods. This promotes a circular economy and helps minimize waste.

8. Digital Services and Updates: If the product has digital features or relies on software, the DPP might include information about digital services provided, such as updates, security, and support.

9. Certifications and Labels: The DPP could include details about relevant certifications, eco-labels, or other sustainability-related labels associated with the product.

Along with the basic requirements, there are specific parameters set in place to define the data presented within a DPP. These parameters include information to be included (e.g. compliance documentation, UPI, user manuals, etc.), the type of data carrier being used (bar code, QR code, etc.), granularity level (model, batch, item), authorizations (who has access to information) and the time the DPP is valid.

All the above information is stored, encrypted, and tracked using blockchain technology to ensure that it cannot be altered or lost. With this record, all parties and stakeholders in the supply chain gain a clear view of the product's entire lifecycle, enabling them to make informed decisions about the product.

What are the benefits of the DPP?

One of the significant benefits of the DPP is its ability to provide a single source of truth throughout the product lifecycle. This means that there is no room for conflicting information regarding the product, ensuring complete transparency from the start to the end of the tool's life.

This transparency extends to the consumer, who can scan the product to see its history and learn more about its lifecycle.

Another advantage of the DPP is its ability to enhance product safety and quality. With its comprehensive data registry, all relevant information regarding a product's safety and quality can be accessed by consumers and stakeholders throughout the supply chain. This includes information about hazardous materials, manufacturing processes, and quality control measures. The ability to access this information helps identify potential risks and ensure that best practices are always followed in product production.

The DPP is also beneficial in promoting sustainability and circularity. With the rise of sustainable consumption, the DPP can play a critical role in ensuring that products are produced sustainably and disposed of responsibly. By providing complete transparency on the product life cycle, consumers can make informed choices and support sustainable production practices.

Other Considerations

Since the DPP is still in the early stages of development, there are still some challenges to be addressed.

One major concern is the standardisation of data collection and recording methods. To be effective, a DPP must be structured in a standardised manner, ensuring that information can be consistently captured, shared, and analysed.

This standardisation process will require input from various stakeholders in the product supply chain and collaboration among the different companies involved.

Another challenge is the implementation of DPP systems across the entire industry. The uptake of new technologies can be challenging, especially when they involve a significant change in approach.

As such, companies need to invest in educating their workforce on the use of DPP systems and provide adequate training on how to use them correctly.

How FibreTrace can assist

Technologies such as FibreTrace® reinforces the credibility of a DPP by demonstrating through either our digital or physical traceability solutions, the path a product has taken and whose hands it has gone through before it reaches the end-consumer.

The FibreTrace® MAPPED (digital) and VERIFIED (physical and digital) products will continue to evolve – and we are preparing to incorporate new reporting functionalities that align with the minimum viable data requirements under the DPP and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation guidance.