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The Digital Product Passport is a digital information sheet designed to drive sustainability, but how does it all work in practice? When you scan a QR code on a product, what kind of system delivers that information? It’s more than just a link to a simple webpage. The DPP is powered by a sophisticated, Europe-wide architecture. While the final technical details are still being fine-tuned, the core principles guiding its design are already clear. Let's dive in.
The DPP system is being designed to be decentralised, modular, and interoperable. In simple terms, this means it will be flexible, secure, and able to communicate with other systems. Here are the five key principles that define how it will work.
This is a crucial point for many businesses. There will be no single, central EU database containing all product information. Instead, the data will remain stored with the companies that generate it: the manufacturers, suppliers, and other economic actors in the value chain.
The system will operate as a "federated" network, where different, secure databases can communicate with each other using standardised protocols. While your data stays with you, it can be correctly accessed when needed. A central EU register will only store basic information, such as the unique product identifiers.
As we mentioned in our first blog, every product that requires a DPP will get a unique product identifier. This ID is linked to the product via a physical data carrier, such as a QR code, NFC tag, or RFID chip.
This identifier is the key that unlocks a standardised set of data about the product. It ensures that when a consumer, customs officer, or recycling facility scans an item, they are directed to the correct, verified information for that specific product.
Not everyone will see the same information. The DPP system will use a sophisticated system of access rights, depending on who is requesting the data.
This means a consumer might see general product information, repair instructions, and recycling advice. A customs authority, however, might have access to compliance documents and origin details. A repair shop could see detailed technical schematics. That way, sensitive commercial information remains protected, while essential sustainability and safety data is made public.
The DPP doesn't exist in a vacuum. It must be compatible with other regulations and systems. A prime example is the EU Battery Regulation, which already mandates its own Battery Passport. The DPP architecture will be designed to work with these existing and future requirements.
To achieve this, technical standards and common data formats will be established. This allows different IT systems across various industries and countries to communicate effectively within the DPP ecosystem.
To guarantee that product information remains available throughout a product's entire lifecycle, a data backup service will be mandatory. This is an important protective measure against data loss due to technical failures or even a company going out of business. It's also a way of guaranteeing the promise of long-term traceability and information access.
Further details will be defined by standardisation organisations like CEN-CENELEC, with harmonised standards expected in early 2026. In the meantime, major European projects like CIRPASS-2 are already working on pilot projects to test and refine the practical application of the DPP architecture.
So, while the system is complex behind the scenes, it's being built on a foundation of security, flexibility, and control.
Now that you know how it will work, which businesses need to start preparing for this?
Find out if you're affected in our next blog!
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