The EU Defines a Methodology to Advance the Digital Product Passport

March 31, 2026

DESCRIPCIÓN

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has presented a new methodology to define the information requirements of the Digital Product Passport (DPP), a key tool in which BAIDATA is actively involved through the CIRPASS-2 European programme. This initiative is part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and aims to improve sustainability, traceability and circularity in the EU market by enabling access to structured and reliable data throughout a product’s lifecycle.

The report introduces a practical and structured approach to translate policy and regulatory objectives into concrete data requirements. It outlines a step-by-step process to identify which information should be included in the DPP, prioritising it based on value, feasibility and implementation effort, while distinguishing between essential, recommended and voluntary data elements.

A key strength of the methodology lies in its grounding in real market conditions. It builds on existing industry practices for data collection and sharing, ensuring that the proposed requirements are both realistic and manageable for businesses, while avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens and supporting scalability.

The methodology is structured into four main phases: defining the product scope and context, identifying use cases and data needs, designing information requirements, and validating them with relevant stakeholders. This approach ensures that the DPP meets both regulatory objectives and operational needs across the value chain.

The DPP is thus positioned as a central pillar of the EU’s sustainable product strategy, enhancing regulatory compliance and transparency for businesses, public authorities and consumers alike. From a sustainability perspective, it will also improve processes such as reuse and recycling, contributing to a more circular economy.

In addition, the methodology lays the groundwork for key aspects such as data access and governance. Its value goes beyond the DPP itself, offering a scalable framework that can support future European policies in the data-driven economy.

This document, available in full for our members in our digital library, represents a significant step towards the effective implementation of the DPP in Europe, providing policymakers with a coherent framework to design common, interoperable solutions aligned with the needs of an increasingly interconnected and data-driven economy.