The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) introduced a new methodology for defining the information requirements for the Digital Product Passport (DPP), a key tool in the development of which BAIDATA is involved, as part of the European CIRPASS-2 programme, and which falls within the scope of the Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products (ESPR). This instrument aims to improve the sustainability, traceability and circularity of products on the European market by providing access to structured and reliable information throughout their entire life cycle.

The report proposes a practical and structured approach that enables policy and regulatory objectives to be translated into specific data requirements. To this end, it sets out a step-by-step process that helps to identify what information should be included in the DPP, prioritising it according to its value, feasibility and implementation effort, and distinguishing between essential, recommended and voluntary data.

One of the key aspects of the methodology is its focus on market realities. The analysis is based on current data collection and sharing practices within the industry, enabling the design of requirements that are practical and manageable for businesses, avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens and facilitating their scalability and adoption on a large scale.

The model is structured in four main phases, ensuring that the DPP addresses both the regulatory and operational needs of the value chain:

1. Definition of the context and scope of the product
2. Identification of use cases and data requirements
3. Design of information requirements
4. Validation with the various stakeholders involved.

The digital passport is thus establishing itself as a central element of the European strategy for sustainable products, facilitating regulatory compliance and transparency for businesses and public authorities, as well as for consumers. Furthermore, in terms of sustainability, it will improve the efficiency of processes such as reuse and recycling, ultimately contributing to a more circular economy.

This methodology also lays the foundations for defining key elements such as access to data and its governance. Its value is not limited to the scope of the DPP, but it can also become a scalable tool for future European policies.

This document, which you can consult in our digital library, represents a decisive step towards the effective implementation of the DPP in Europe, providing policymakers with a coherent framework for designing common solutions tailored to the requirements of the new interconnected, data-driven economy.