Digital Product Passports (DPPs)
The concept of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) has been in development for quite some time, including within our coalition. However, with the European Commission formulating DPPs as a core concept within upcoming legislation, attention is significantly increasing.
In today's world, the necessity for sustainability and circularity is undeniable. This also leads to a growing demand for transparency and trust. The Netherlands has years of experience in product and material traceability, as evidenced by initiatives within the Dutch Blockchain Coalition, ranging from salt logistics to renewable fuels projects. Europe has acknowledged this movement by introducing the concept of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) into the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and has initiated a standardization process with European and national standardization organizations.
In this context, standards from the world of decentralized digital identities provide a robust foundation for the design of decentralized Digital Product Passports (dDPPs), and in some cases, they are even a necessary or desired approach.
What is a DPP?
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a standardized electronic dossier that provides detailed information about a product throughout all stages of its existence. It includes data such as origin, composition, characteristics, instructions for use, ecological effects, and other relevant information. These passports are designed to offer transparency to consumers, producers, and other stakeholders regarding the origin, characteristics, and impact of a product. This contributes to promoting sustainability, traceability, and responsibility within the production chain.