A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a concept designed to provide comprehensive, accessible, and verifiable information about a product throughout its lifecycle. The purpose of the Digital Product Passport is to provide a standardised and digital means of capturing, sharing, and accessing detailed product information throughout its lifecycle. The goal of a DPP is to enhance transparency, sustainability, and traceability in the supply chain. This will improve product transparency, support regulatory compliance, and enable informed decision-making for consumers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders.
To prepare for DPP, companies need to gather extensive information across various aspects of their products and operations. This document covers functional and non-functional requirements for the DPP system, which will be used by manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and regulatory bodies.
Functional Requirements
The functional requirement needed for DPP includes 4 key areas: Data Capture, Data Accessibility, Lifecycle Tracking and Compliance & Standard.
1. Data Capture
Product Identification – Each product must have a unique identifier (e.g., a QR code, RFID tag, or digital ID) that links to its Digital Product Passport.
Product Information – The DPP must capture essential product details, including but not limited to:
- Manufacturer and brand
- Product name and description
- Model number and SKU
- Production date and batch number
- Material composition and ingredients
- Certifications and compliance information
- Usage instructions and warnings
Please find below the table on the details of 10 categories of information to be captured as best practice.
2. Data Accessibility
User Access – The Digital Product Passport must provide secure access to product information for authorised users, including consumers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies.
Data Retrieval – Users should be able to retrieve product information via various methods, including:
- Scanning QR codes or barcodes
- NFC or RFID interactions
- Web-based portals
- Mobile applications
3. Lifecycle Tracking
Ownership Changes – The Digital Product Passport must support recording of ownership changes throughout the product life cycle, including resale or transfer of ownership.
Maintenance and Repairs – Information on maintenance, repairs, and service history should be documented and updated in the DPP.
End-of-Life: Details about recycling, disposal, and end-of-life management must be included.
4. Compliance and Standards
Regulatory Compliance – The Digital Product Passport must comply with relevant regulations and standards, such as GDPR (Privacy Policy), CCPA, and ISO standards.
Interoperability – The DPP system must be compatible with existing supply chain and product management systems.
Non-Functional Requirements
The non-functional requirement primarily covers mainly backend IT systems that support Digital Product Passports.
1. Security
Data Integrity – Ensure data integrity through encryption, digital signatures, and secure
storage.
Access Control – Implement robust access control mechanisms to protect sensitive
information and ensure only authorised users can access or modify the data.
2. Performance
Scalability – The DPP system must be scalable to accommodate varying volumes of data and number of users.
Response Time – Ensure prompt response times for data retrieval and updates.
3. Usability
User Interface – Provide an intuitive and user-friendly interface for accessing and interacting
with the DPP.
Multilingual Support – Include support for multiple languages to cater to a global audience.
4. Reliability
Availability – Ensure high availability and minimal downtime for the DPP system.
Backup and Recovery – Implement regular backup procedures and recovery plans to safeguard against data loss.
Additionally, other aspects such as implementation considerations involving internal or external integrations to existing enterprise systems (e.g. ERP, CRM) platforms are needed. Training including user guides are needed to be provided for all the stakeholders on how to use and manage the Digital Product Passport system to support adoption. The specifications provide a foundation for developing a robust and effective Digital Product Passport system. Adjustments and additional details may be needed based on specific industry needs and technological advancements.
The DPP is a vital tool for enhancing product transparency and traceability. By meeting these detailed requirements, the DPP will contribute to more sustainable practices, improved consumer trust, and efficient supply chain management. With gathering and management of comprehensive data, companies can ensure their Digital Product Passport provides an accurate, transparent, and valuable resource for consumers, regulators, and other stakeholders while maintaining high standards of security, reliability, and usability.
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