Digital Product Passport: where do you need them ?

Understanding where you need digital product passports is key to remaining compliant.
But with evolving regulations and increasing consumer demand for transparency, it can be stressful to keep up.
That’s why in this article, we offer a complete guide to the specific areas where digital product passports are required. This means taking a close look at how the EU laws influence other countries as well as what other types of legislation countries across the globe are implementing.

What is a Digital Product Passport?

A digital product passport is a complete digital record of a product and its supply chain.

They are becoming increasingly important due to changes in sustainability legislation which started in Europe.

Initiatives such as The EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan mean that companies need an easy and transparent way to display information about product origin, materials, environmental impact, and disposal.

Digital Product Passports: Where in the EU?

The European Union is still working to set a timeline for digital product passports. However, when they are rolled out, the rules will affect all 27 countries in the EU and any manufacturing company that exports goods to the EU market, irrespective of their location.

So, organizations will need a digital product passport in Germany if they are trading within the EU.  Equally, companies will need a digital product passport in France if their manufacturing is being handled outside of the EU.

Though more will be added, at first, the rules will only apply to these specific industries:

• Batteries
• Tyres
• Iron and steel
• Aluminum
• Textiles
• Furniture
• Paints
• Lubricants
• Detergents
• Chemicals
• Electronics

Digital Product Passports: Where outside of the EU are they required?

Companies that are working entirely outside of the EU won’t need to use digital product passports. However, companies in other countries still need to show that they meet legislation through transparent documentation; in this section, we explore this in more detail.

Digital Product Passport in the UK

In the UK, companies across industries have to prove that they follow requirements such as :

• The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking to show compliance with safety, health, and environmental standards  
• Specific environmental legislation such as the UK's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations
• Traceability and safety standards enforced by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

Digital Product Passports in Australia

The Australian government’s digital product passport proposal suggests that digital passports could be implemented across the country by the end of 2028. But for now, companies have to follow rules such as:

• Demonstrating compliance with environmental and safety regulations, such as the Product Stewardship Act 2011.
• Providing data on the product's lifecycle, including manufacturing, usage, and disposal, to comply with the National Waste Policy 2018.
• Ensuring that the product is digitally traceable in order to adhere to requirements from the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Digital Product Passports in Canada

Canada is currently exploring the option of enforcing digital product passports. This will help companies demonstrate their adherence to these pieces of legislation (and future legislation) in an easier way:

• Environmental and safety rules such as The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) and the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).
• Waste management rules such as the Waste Reduction and Management Regulations.
• The Competition Act which ensures digital traceability and consumer protection.

Digital Product Passports in the USA

Though the United States continues to roll out legislation to protect the environment, they don’t currently have a formalised digital product passport. Instead, companies have to show that they meet the requirements of legislation such as:

• The ​​Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) which hold manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products.
• The Right to Repair Policy which shows that consumers can freely modify and repair products.
• The Environmental Protection Act (EPA) which outlines regulations and standards aimed at preserving and safeguarding natural resources.

How to prepare for Digital Product Passports

Maybe you’ve realised you’re in a country where you’ll soon need a digital product passport... Or perhaps you just want a convenient way to remain compliant with changing legislation. Either way: Authentify It can help.

To boost transparency and trust with your consumers, you can include all certifications in a single intuitive app. On the back end, data syncs straight from your software so you don’t need to worry about staying on top of updates.

Want to learn more? Book a call with our expert.