Digital Product Passport Template: A Comprehensive Guide

Consumer demand for transparency in product sustainability has increased in recent years as people want to know about the environmental impact of the products they buy. To meet the demands, Digital Product Passports are introduced by the EU government which are expected to be mandated by the mid 2027. 

But how do businesses ensure that they are providing consistent and transparent information about their product’s sustainability? A digital product passport template is used to guarantee transparency and consistency in how product information is conveyed to consumers, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. 

Let’s find out the core components, benefits, and guide to developing a DPP template in this article. 

Core Components of a DPP Template

The core components a DPP template must have are: 

Product Identification

This section comprises the basic details to identify the product exclusively. Information includes: 

• Product Name: The commercial name of the product.
• Model Number: Model-specific code.
• Unique Product Identifier: Codes, e.g. SKU, UPC, EAN, that are used for tracking and managing inventory.
• Brand: Name of the company or brand under which the product is sold. 

Material Composition

This section of the DPP template outlines the material used in the production of that product. Information includes: 

• List of Raw Materials: Detailed description of each product used in manufacturing. 
• Source of Materials: Information on from where and how the material is sourced. 
• Composition Percentage: The proportion of each material used in the product.  

Manufacturing Process

This section describes how and where the product was manufactured. Information includes: 

• Manufacturing Site: Geographic locations of the manufacturing facilities. 
• Production Methods: Detailed description of the processes and technologies that were used in manufacturing. 
• Labour Practices: Details on labour conditions and standards followed during manufacturing. 

Sustainability Performance

This section provides details on the environmental impact of the product and its sustainability attributes. Information includes: 

• Carbon Footprint: The total greenhouse gas emission associated with the product. 
• Energy Consumption: Total amount of energy consumed during the entire lifecycle of the product. 
• Certifications: Showcase sustainability certificates if available. 

End-of-Life Options

All details regarding the disposal or repurposing of the products are mentioned in this section. Information includes: 

• Disposal Guidelines: How to dispose of parts that cannot be reused or recycled safely.
• Recycling and Reusing Information: Instructions on how to recycle or reuse the product. 

Data Ownership & Access

This section contains information related to the ownership of the DPP data and how consumers and stakeholders can access it. Information includes: 

• Data Ownership: Mention the entity or entities that own the data. 
• Access Rights: Describe who can access the data and under what conditions. 

However, finding a DPP template that comprises all these components is no longer a hassle, as you can find the components in a well-structured format here.

Benefits of Using a Standardized DPP Template

Implementation of a standardized DPP template has numerous advantages not only for businesses but for consumers as well. Some of the key benefits are: 

• As a consistent and clear format is available, the data collection process becomes easier as businesses don’t have to create unique templates for recording product information. 
• A standardized DPP template ensures that all the products are documented uniformly. This uniformity assists in comparing the sustainability performance of multiple products to assess the areas of improvement. 
• A standardized DPP template guarantees the availability of the data in a clear, concise, and readable form. 

Developing Your Own DPP Template: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a digital product passport that aligns with the needs of your business involves the following key steps: 

Step 1: Identifying Key Data Points

Researching about the standards and sustainability requirements that are relevant to your industry is the core step of building a DPP template. Such as the fashion industry focuses on materials and labor practices whereas the electronics industry pays more attention to energy consumption and recyclability. 

Upon identification of the key points, make a list of all the crucial information that should be present in your DPP template. 

Step 2: Determining Data Sources & Collection Methods

Find out the internal and external sources from where you can collect accurate and up-to-date data. Then formulate the protocols to collect the data in such a way that these methods can handle large volumes of information as well. 

Step 3: Choosing A Suitable Platform for DPP

Figure out which digital platform is the most suitable for your DPP that can be easily accessed by stakeholders and consumers as well. Make use of a QR code to make it more accessible for the consumers. 

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Step 4: Design the Template

Design a clear and concise template that is visually appealing as well. Use graphs and charts to increase readability and divide the information into short sections for a more organized overview.

Conclusion

So, using a Digital Product Passport template is essential for effective and transparent communication. The standardized format helps businesses streamline the data collection process and ensures uniformity. Moreover, a template makes the comparison for sustainability easier for consumers and businesses. 

If you are looking forward to a standardized Digital Product Passport template, download it from Authentify It straight away!