Who will be impacted by digital product passports for Industry 4.0?
Industry 4.0 represents a major shift in manufacturing, harnessing advanced technology like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data to create more efficient and sustainable industrial processes.
The European Union’s (EU) initiative to implement Digital Product Passports (DPPs) will work with the increased digitisation of Industry 4.0 to provide detailed, accessible information about the entire lifecycle of all products manufactured or sold within the EU.
As Industry 4.0 relies heavily on standardised data formats and compatibility between systems, DPPs aim to standardise how product information is recorded and shared. This will allow manufacturers to streamline their compliance with EU regulations and integrate seamlessly with Industry 4.0 infrastructure.
DPPs will provide comprehensive insights into the full life cycle of a product. This will help enable predictive maintenance, better resource management, and sustainability tracking.
Here’s how DPPs will affect different sectors that could fall under Industry 4.0 categorisation:
Manufacturing. DPPs will streamline operations while improving traceability and quality control. They will also help ensure compliance with sustainability standards and promote resource efficiency.
Automotive. Automotive OEMs, especially those with a focus on Electric Vehicles (EVs) will benefit from better lifecycle management of batteries and other components, as well as improved transparency in the supply chain to ensure ethical sourcing of their materials.
Electronics. E-waste is one of the largest solid waste streams in the world, and electronics DPPs will help inform consumers about proper disposal and recycling. Construction. The construction sector will benefit from better materials traceability, less waste, and easier compliance with EU regulations. Digital Product Passports for Industry 4.0 will also support efficient project management and sustainable building practices.
Retail. Consumer goods retailers will ensure more transparency with consumers and a more efficient supply chain.
Energy. Manufacturers for the energy sector will improve component traceability through DPPs.
Digital Product Passport for Industry 4.0 timeline
The EU is rolling out DPPs in a phased approach across sectors, starting with batteries in 2026. By 2030 DPPs will be mandatory across most products from Industry 4.0 manufacturers.
How to prepare for Digital Product Passports for Industry 4.0?
Industry 4.0 manufacturers and the wider supply chain should focus on the following steps to get ready for mandatory DPPs:
Ensuring there are robust systems and processes in place to collect and manage data about product life cycles. This includes raw materials sourcing, manufacturing processes and disposal or recycling instructions.
Investing in DPP technologies that seamlessly integrate with current systems for things like digital twins and IoT. Make sure the DPP platform you chose is compatible with standard frameworks like AAS.
Working closely with current suppliers to make sure they are also ready to capture and share data necessary for compliant DPPs. Align your data reporting practices to ensure transparency.
Auditing processes to ensure they are compliant with DPP regulations and ensuring any gaps or inaccuracies in data are addressed.
What to look out for in an Industry 4.0 DPP?
Look out for these key features in a DPP solution for Industry 4.0:
Interoperability between systems is absolutely critical for Industry 4.0 systems. Ensure the DPP solution you choose works with current digital twins and IoT platforms.
Ensure the solution is scalable and can grow with your business.
Prioritise a platform with data security features to ensure sensitive company information is securely held.
Make sure the DPP solution is user-friendly and can be integrated with current processes and used by multiple stakeholders in the supply chain with minimal disruption.
Ensure the DPP solution is built from the ground up with EU regulations in mind.
With AuthentifyIt, you can access an all-in-one solution for DPPs alongside consultation support, audits, and more.
Get in touch with us today for a discovery call.
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