Digital Product Passport (DPP): A Requirement and a Major Opportunity

A Tool for Strengthening the European Economy

As a key element of Europe’s sustainability and circular economy strategy, the DPP is designed to strengthen the European economy. It helps improve resource efficiency and enables all stakeholders to make informed product development decisions under fair competitive conditions within Europe.

Regulatory Requirements for the DPP

The specific DPP requirements for each product category will be defined separately through delegated acts. These requirements are based on regulations that have already been adopted for sectors including construction products, toys, detergents, batteries, and machinery or industrial equipment.

Timeline for the introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) across different product categories. | © GS1 Switzerland

Examples of information contained in a DPP include:

• General information such as the product name, customs tariff number, and unique product identifiers.
• Technical product information, including attributes relevant for certification purposes, such as durability and service life.
• Information on substances of concern, including declarations regarding Substances of High Concern and RoHS compliance.
• Information on Critical Raw Materials, particularly permanent magnets incorporated into the product.
• Environmental information, such as carbon footprint declarations, recyclability, and disassembly data.

The Main Challenge: Data Completeness

Implementing a DPP presents companies with the considerable challenge of collecting the necessary data and determining how and where that data can be obtained. Relevant datasets are often difficult to gather or may not even be available, as they depend on upstream participants in the value chain.

Legislators are aware of this challenge. This is one reason why steel, iron, and aluminum are among the first product groups subject to DPP requirements. However, the bill of materials for a manufactured product extends far beyond these raw materials. Data currently scattered across folders, spreadsheets, and emails must be captured in a structured manner and made available for automated workflows.

Capturing and Structuring Material Data

Implementing material data management not only helps engineering, production, and procurement teams maintain material information consistently, but also plays a decisive role in supplying data for the DPP. A system such as Ansys Granta MI enables organizations to centrally capture, structure, and quality-assure material data and related knowledge.

In addition, it provides access to generic reference datasets based on validated industry values. These can be used to fill information gaps, enabling a practical and consistent approach to meeting regulatory requirements.

CADFEM, as a specialist in digital engineering with expertise in material data management, simulation, and digital processes, supports the development of the structures required for a DPP and helps organizations unlock the associated potential.

End-to-End Data Flow for Faster Product Development

One of the most significant benefits of the DPP stems from the legislated requirement to provide structured, machine-readable material data. These datasets follow a common cross-industry format and are linked to globally unique product identifiers.

As a result, DPP data from across the value chain can be imported directly into corporate IT systems and processed automatically, eliminating manual data entry and reducing the risk of identification conflicts. The global standards organization GS1 provides unique identification keys and vocabularies that are essential for DPP implementation. Beyond serving as a key contact for DPP-related questions, GS1 also helps organizations explore opportunities that go beyond the regulatory core requirements of the DPP.

Transforming Material Datasheets into Interoperable Datasets

With DPP implementation, traditional material datasheets are converted into digital, interoperable datasets. At the same time, comprehensive and unambiguous data becomes available for a wide range of applications. This includes everything from the automated provision of DPP-relevant material information, such as environmental footprint data, contained substances, and concentrations, to access to actual bills of materials.

CAD and CAE systems can also access technically relevant data for design and simulation processes. This continuity enables informed product decisions to be made at an early stage of development. The result is a seamless digital process chain with a high degree of transparency and extensive automation, extending from material manufacturers and component suppliers through to final product assembly.

Data consistency, early risk management, and automated data aggregation for the DPP. | © CADFEM Germany GmbH

Automating Quality assurance Processes

The digital availability of product data enables more efficient production planning and improves material traceability. Quality assurance processes can be automated and accelerated through direct access to relevant data, reducing errors and increasing process stability.

To support the circular economy, precise information on material composition and recyclability can be used to enable targeted material reuse and the generation of high-quality secondary raw materials. This not only helps achieve environmental goals but also delivers economic benefits through more efficient use of resources.

Ultimately, the DPP opens the door to new business models and service offerings built on digital material data. Concepts such as “Material as a Service” become feasible. By integrating material data directly into customers’ development and manufacturing processes, companies can create close digital connectivity. This collaboration reduces iteration loops and increases efficiency for all parties involved.

Outstanding Value Through Reliable Data

The true value of the DPP lies not primarily in the required documentation but in the availability and reliability of the underlying data. In the area of material compliance in particular, many organizations already possess relevant information within existing processes and systems. However, this information is often fragmented, difficult to access, or disconnected across the product lifecycle.

Consistently Consolidating Existing Data

The key is not to create new data silos, but to consolidate existing information in a targeted and consistent manner. Organizations that bring together material data, bills of materials, supplier information, and regulatory requirements establish the foundation for the DPP. At the same time, they significantly reduce the effort required for reporting, compliance verification, and communication throughout the value chain.

Companies that recognize and leverage this connection early will not only ensure regulatory compliance but also improve the transparency and usability of their product information. This enables clearer market positioning and strengthens long-term competitiveness.