The European Commission has introduced several legislative acts as they attempt to improve the sustainability and environmental performance of supply chains and operations across key major industries. The Commission’s objective is to achieve a fully circular economy across the EU by 2050, which will see several technological and operational mandates enforced for businesses that wish to continue selling physical goods within the European market. Several key industries have been earmarked as the first to be overhauled by this new legislation – including textiles, batteries, and electronics/ICT.

In upcoming years, most products sold in the EU — from tires and building supplies to clothing and laundry detergent — will require an attached identifier that includes detailed information about materials used, manufacturing processes, and recyclability. By revealing a product’s journey and environmental impact, Digital Product Passports will empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and pave the way for a greener, more ethical future. This foundational framework is expected to become the information backbone of the global circular economy. 

What is a Digital Product Passport?

At its core, a Digital Product Passport is a digital record containing key information about a product’s composition, origin, and lifecycle. Think of it like an item’s official "papers” that follow it from production to purchase to eventual disposal. Under this forthcoming legislation, companies selling products in Europe will need to collect and share detailed data on an item’s verified sustainability attributes. 

European manufacturers, retailers, and those exporting products to the EU can provide this Digital Product Passport by attaching a physical ‘data carrier’ to their products. While the DPP's framers have not yet identified a specific type — or types — of data carrier required, it could take the form of a QR code, RFID tag, or another digital identifier. These tags link the physical product to its digital twin in the cloud, allowing a complete set of verified product data to travel seamlessly with the item throughout its lifecycle.  

For example, by simply scanning a QR code embedded on the label of a sweatshirt with a smartphone camera, a consumer will be immediately redirected to the product’s associated Digital Product Passport to view data on materials used, ownership history, and even instructions on recycling or proper disposal. 

Which industries will be impacted by the Digital Product Passport?

The European Commission has identified several prioritized product categories, both for finished end-use products as well as intermediate materials and components. This means sellers of items in these listed sectors will be among the first required to start creating Digital Product Passports for the goods they produce:

·      Batteries

·      Textiles (garments and footwear) 

·      Iron and steel 

·      Aluminium

·      Furniture (including mattresses) 

·      Tires

·      Detergents 

·      Paints 

·      Lubricants 

·      Chemicals 

·      Electronics

What information will the Digital Product Passport require?

Companies bringing products to the EU market will need to ensure their DPPs meet data and compliance requirements as mandated by legislation. While the specific data the DPP will require will likely vary by product category, most sellers will be required to report: 

·      Potential for repair, maintenance, refurbishment, and upgrades 

·      Presence of harmful substances 

·      Resource consumption or efficiency 

·      Recycled materials content 

·      Reusability, remanufacturing, and recycling potential 

·      Environmental impacts, including carbon footprint 

·      Anticipated waste generation 

Perfect-ID ( a Syrma SGS company) RFID & NFC Technology: Empowering Digital Product Passports

At Perfect-ID(a Syrma SGS company), we specialize in providing state-of-the-art RFID and NFC technology solutions tailored to the unique needs of Digital Product Passports. Our NFC tags, store unique product information securely and enable seamless interaction between a product and its consumers using smartphones. As a data carrier, RFID and NFC have their strengths as they are non-cloneable. The larger memory bank in RFID / NFC offers advantages for digital traceability and maintenance of valuable information regarding the product itself, its lifecycle, and recyclability. RFID / NFC will likely be used in combination with e QR codes to give options to the consumer for easier accessibility. 

At the heart of Digital Product Passports lies a need for collecting comprehensive, granular data across the entire product lifecycle — from sourcing to disposal. This is where RFID technology truly shines, offering item-level tracking throughout the supply chain and beyond. RFID's robust lifecycle tracking capabilities not only satisfy compliance requirements but also solve other business challenges — helping companies automate their supply chains, combat counterfeiting, and support circular business models. Companies integrating UHF & NFC into their DPP readiness plans can stay ahead of mandates while modernizing their operations and unlocking more sustainable fulfilment models for their future.