DPP Setup Timeline: An Essential Guide for Businesses

It is expected that by the middle of 2027, the adoption of DPP will be mandated by the EU which has created lots of buzz regarding  DPPs, but a key question arises: how much time does it take to set up a digital product passport system? 

The estimated time for setting up a DPP system varies between 4 months to 10 months depending upon various factors. Let’s find out what those factors are and the key phases of setting up a DPP system. 

5 Factors Affecting DPP Time: 

The factors affecting the Digital Passport Product completion time are: 

1 . Complexity of Product

The first and foremost factor that affects the DPP time is the complexity of the product being tracked. Less time is required to establish the digital passports of the simpler products with straightforward supply chains and fewer components as compared to the complex products with multiple raw materials and intricate manufacturing processes. 
Contrary to the simpler products, the history of complex products involves various stakeholders, diverse regulatory requirements, and varied logistic networks that prolong the setup time of DPP.

2 . Availability of Data & Integration

The availability of existing data can significantly reduce the setup time of the Digital Product Passports system. Companies that maintain proper records of their manufacturing processes, supply chain activities, and product information can make use of this data to catalyze the setup time. 
Companies that lack centralized data may face challenges in compiling, verifying, and integrating new data sources that eventually extend the setup time. Moreover, the compatibility of existing data with various systems such as ERP and CRM is also crucial to avoid challenges like data silos and incompatible formats. 

3 . Company Size & Resources

Larger companies have greater resources by all means including financial, technological, and human resources, so the implementation of the DPP system is easier. They also have allocated funds for the employment of digital transformations. However small-sized companies lack resources in both financial and personnel terms, which makes the process of setting up a Digital Product Passport system long.  

4 . Selected Technology Platform

Instead of building the DPP platforms from scratch, making use of the pre-built templates can reduce the time. The pre-built templates offer integration capabilities, well-trained data models, and built-in features that are already tailored according to industry requirements. This saves development time and helps speed up the setup process. 

5 . Regulation & Standardization

Meeting the regulatory requirements and compliance with national, regional, and international regulations determines the setup time for DPPs. As every industry and region has their standards keeping up with them may complicate the process and this standardization can delay the setup time for DPPs.

Digital Product Setup Process: A General Timeline

Phase 1: Planning & Scoping (1-2 months)

This is the foundational step that focuses on defining the goals and deciding the appropriate methodology. What data about the product is important and who will be responsible for collecting that data is also decided in this step. Furthermore, a suitable DPP platform or system is also selected at this stage for storing and managing the collected data.  

Phase 2: Data Collection & Organization (2-6 months)

This phase is all about collecting and organizing the data from internal data records and external data sources. After the collection of data, it is crosschecked for compatibility, errors, and discrepancies. Then the collected data is entered on the selected platform or the system with keen accuracy. 

Phase 3: System Testing & Refinement ( 1-2 months)

After successfully uploading the data, the next step is to make sure that everything works smoothly. The DPP system's functionality is tested to either handle the data efficiently or not.
In case of any technical issue, troubleshooting is also done in this step. After ensuring that the data and system are up to the mark, the staff is trained on how to use the system effectively. 

Phase 4: Launch & Maintenance ( Continuous)

Once everything is set, the system is launched and introduced to the users and stakeholders. The timeframe of this step is not defined as it involves continuous maintenance and updating of the system. 

Final Words: 

All in all, the digital product passport soft completion time can vary between 4 months to 10 months. But this timeframe may vary depending upon certain circumstances. Sometimes, you may encounter challenges or get into difficulties that cause undefined delays in the overall process.

It’s recommended to consult any professional who is well aware of the intricacies of the digital product passport system. Professional guidance will not only make you stress-free but also reduce the overall setup time. 

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