As part of the Europese Green Deal to make the European Union climate neutral by 2050, the EU will introduce the digital product passport. The new legislation aims to make products more sustainable, more recyclable and reusable. The current implementation of this law will be a long time coming. A digital product passport is first checked for products in the categories batteries, textiles and electronics. In this article we talk about the properties of the digital product passport and what impact it can have on the high-tech sector
Which products are concerned?
The focus of the passport is initially on products that use the most natural resources and where the potential for circularity is greatest, such as: batteries, textiles and packaging. In any case, the European Commission wants to develop a digital product passport for thirty product groups with the greatest environmental impact. Separate agreements must be made for each product group about which data must be included in the passport. The battery sector has already started on its own initiative with the preparation of a product passport to give an impulse to the reuse and recycling of batteries, the draft version of which is now ready.
Quality and reliability
A digital product passport serves as a detailed and standardized documentation of all relevant information about a digital product, such as specifications, materials, production processes and test results. By making this information available centrally and digitally, high-tech companies can improve the quality, reliability and traceability of their products. Using the digital product passport, companies can easily trace the origin of materials and ensure compliance with quality and industry standards. This reduces the risk of production errors, minimizes the chance of breakdowns or malfunctions, and increases customer satisfaction. In addition, the digital product passport can contribute to faster problem solving and product improvements because all relevant data is immediately available to the parties involved.
Efficient and cost effective
In addition to improving quality and reliability, a digital product passport can also lead to significant efficiency improvements and cost savings in the high-tech sector. It makes the process of product development, production and maintenance much more streamlined and transparent. With the digital product passport, companies can quickly and easily access the information they need, without time-consuming and error-prone manual search processes. This reduces the administrative burden and improves the speed with which decisions can be made. In addition, the passport allows companies to better manage the product lifecycle from design to decommissioning, resulting in more efficient processes and long-term cost savings.
Competitive position and sustainability
A digital product passport can also play an important role in strengthening the competitive position and promoting sustainability. With a digital product passport, companies can provide their customers with detailed information about the environmental performance and sustainability characteristics of their products. This helps customers make informed purchasing decisions and enables companies to differentiate themselves based on sustainability performance.
Circular transition
In addition, the digital product passport makes it easier for companies to recycle or reuse their products because all relevant information about materials and compositions is immediately available. This contributes to a circular transition and reduces the impact on the environment. In short, a digital product passport has numerous advantages for the high-tech sector. By investing in a digital product passport, companies in this sector can lay a solid foundation for growth and innovation, while meeting the increasingly stringent requirements of customers and regulatory authorities.
