The digital product passport (DPP) is a product’s digital identity. It holds all key information about the product throughout its entire life cycle, from the materials used and manufacturing, to usage, through to recycling or disposal. In this way, the digital product passport creates transparency and traceability at every stage of the value chain.
The information is directly linked to the product and can be retrieved, for example, via a QR code or NFC tag. Consumers, trading partners, repair service-providers and government bodies have rapid access to the relevant product data.
The DPP is pivotal to the EU’s strategy of promoting sustainability, transparency and the circular economy. The passports will be phased in from 2027 onwards, initially for batteries and then subsequently for other product groups such as textiles, electronics and building materials.
Benefits
- Transparency: Traceable information throughout the product’s entire life cycle
- Sustainability: Track materials, components and origins across the entire supply chain
- Efficiency: Detailed information is used to optimise production and recycling processes
- Consumer protection: Reliable data allows consumers to make well-informed purchase decisions
What information does a DPP contain?
- Product identification
- Technical data
- Material composition
- Origins and supply chain
- Certificates and declarations of conformity
- Operating and maintenance instructions
- Spare parts
- Recycling and disposal information
- Carbon footprint and sustainability data (Product Carbon Footprint)
Rittal is already busy laying the foundations for the digital product passport. The digital wiring plan pocket Rittal ePocket provides product-specific machine and plant documentation in a digital format. The Scan & Service app allows users to access technical information and services directly via a QR code or NFC tag. From cooling unit configuration through to rapid troubleshooting and spare parts lists.
Although the digital product passport is not yet mandatory for many product groups, Rittal has devoted many years of intensive research to this topic. As an active partner in the relevant standardisation bodies, Rittal’s expertise is channelled into the development of future standards. It is represented on the relevant DIN and DKE committees tasked with formulating standards for the digital product passport, among others.
With its digital services, comprehensive product transparency and active involvement in standardisation, Rittal is already laying the foundations for the digital product passport of tomorrow.