Tim Åkesson, PLM Consultant
Get started with Digital Product Passports – 6 reasons and 4 tips
From 2026, products sold to and within the EU must have a Digital Product Passport. This will affect all companies that work with products in any way, whether it’s transportation, manufacturing or product development.
Here we explore what Digital Product Passports are, why they’re of strategic interest to implement, and go over tips for getting started now.
What is a Digital Product Passport?
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a bit like your passport when you travel, but for products. It contains standardized information about a product such as where it was manufactured, what it is made of, and how it impacts the environment. This makes it easier for both consumers and businesses to understand the product better and make more informed product comparisons.
Digital Product Passports – from requirements to competitive advantage
Under the EU's new requirements, which come into force in 2026, all products sold to or within the EU must have a Digital Product Passport. This regulation is part of the EU's work to achieve climate goals and promote a circular economy. The aim is to make it easier for both producers and consumers to make more environmentally friendly choices in both production and consumption.
Why is DPP interesting for companies?
Digital Product Passports are more than just a requirement – they are an opportunity for companies to strengthen their competitiveness and promote sustainability. Here are 6 reasons why DPP is strategically important:
- Strengthening the brand through better decision-making
By providing clear and structured product information, companies can demonstrate how sustainable their products are. This strengthens the brand and attracts the growing group of environmentally conscious consumers, both within companies and individuals. - Protection against piracy
Because Digital Product Passports show exactly where a product comes from and what it is made of, it becomes easier to prove that the product is authentic. This is especially good for companies that sell items that are at risk of being copied, such as luxury products and electronics. - New business opportunities
Companies can also use Digital Product Passports to track individual products throughout their entire life cycle. This makes it easier to rent out products or offer more services such as repairs and upgrades. This opens the door to new ways to make money. - Easy sustainability reporting
Digital Product Passports make it easier to report sustainability data such as carbon emissions and material use by collecting all information in one place. This helps companies meet CSRD requirements and can become a requirement in procurements where sustainability is important. - Strategic insights for innovation
Access to detailed product data helps companies identify new opportunities and make better decisions, which promotes innovation and development. - Increased efficiency with machine-readable data
Access to structured and up-to-date data in a machine-readable format makes it easier to make data-driven decisions, which can streamline production and enable smart factory upgrades.
Adapting to this requirement early can be a strategically smart idea, especially for companies producing more sustainable products, as it provides the opportunity to position themselves as a pioneer in the industry.
A Digital Product Passport contains detailed information about a product's origin, materials, manufacturer, certifications, performance and recycling options.
Get started with Digital Product Passports – 4 tips
To be ready for 2026, companies need to start preparing. By taking steps now, you can both stay ahead of legal requirements and benefit from being a sustainable and responsible player in the market. Here are four practical tips to get started and ensure a smooth implementation of DPP:
- Measure carbon emissions
Start by mapping carbon emissions at every stage of the product’s life cycle – from production to transport. - Keep track of the entire supply chain
Map all the companies that are involved in creating your product, from start to finish. This will make it easier to keep track of the product’s life cycle. - Recycling instructions
Make sure your products have clear instructions on how to recycle them, so that both customers and recycling stations know what to do. - Declare hazardous substances
If your products contain hazardous substances, make sure that information is clear and up-to-date.
Why start with DPP now?
While 2026 may seem far away, companies that start now will be one step ahead. By implementing Digital Product Passports early, companies can not only ensure they are compliant with EU regulations, but also create new business opportunities. Early adaptations give companies the opportunity to improve their processes, strengthen their brand’s sustainability profile and drive increased efficiency.
Prevas – Your partner for efficient product data management
At Prevas, we support our customers in maximizing the value of their product information, no matter where they are on their digitalization journey. Through a well-planned Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution, we create the conditions to easily manage the product information needed to build Digital Product Passports.
Demonstrating circularity in DPP – a seamless circle of sustainable design and production
Digital Product Passports are a strategic opportunity – not just to meet requirements, but to future-proof the business
Tim Åkesson, Management Consultant