Some time ago, we reported on the introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP for short) in Europe. It is being gradually introduced or mandated for an increasing number of product groups. This raises the question for the industry of how to organize such a product passport and what content should be included in the DPP. In this context, a standardization mandate was issued to the European standardization organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI). These organizations are tasked with developing standards to enable uniform implementation and standardized procedures for creating the pass.

Of the draft standards presented at that time on various topics related to the implementation of the DPP, a number have now been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. This means that the content of these standards can now be considered binding and used for the implementation of the DPP. The standards in question are as follows:

Standard Title Topic
DIN EN 18216 Protocols for data exchange describes secure and efficient data exchange protocols and data formats for DPP data
DIN EN 18219 Unique identifiers defines guidelines for unique product identifiers, unique economic operator identifiers, and unique facility identifiers
DIN EN 18220 Data carrier defines requirements for data carriers used in a digital product passport system
DIN EN 18221 Data storage, archiving and data persistence Establishes requirements for the decentralized storage, archiving, and long-term preservation of digital product passports
DIN EN 18222 Programming interfaces (APIs) for life cycle management and searchability of the product passport Standardized APIs for data access and searchability in DPP
DIN EN 18223 System interoperability addresses cross-system interoperability between DPP systems

The focus here is on ensuring data retrieval and exchange. These standards do not address content.

When it comes to content requirements, it is currently better to refer to other sources, such as the Federal Ministry for the Environment. The ministry provides general information on its website regarding the possible content of a DPP.
https://www.bundesumweltministerium.de/faq/was-ist-ein-digitaler-produktpass

The Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 can also be consulted as an additional source. Annex III contains guidance on the possible contents of a DPP. Even though this guidance is very general, it still provides a rough framework. The following topics may be included in a DPP:

  • Product Identifiers
  • Contact Information
  • Technical Performance
  • Manuals, User Guides
  • Warnings and Safety Instructions
  • Materials and Their Origins
  • Repair Measures
  • Recycling Options
  • Environmental Impacts Over the Entire Life Cycle

Since there are not yet any specific guidelines regarding the content of the DPP for individual product types, we will need to continue monitoring developments in the world of standards.