In a product passport, the composition and technical data of products are digitally recorded from A to Z and supplemented in each phase of the (supply) chain. This provides clarity about the product composition and supports the possibilities for recycling and reuse. Product passports are therefore seen as essential to realize and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The SIA Governing Body, in collaboration with Top Sector ICT, has opened the Digital Product Passports financing scheme. A total of 2.7 million euros is available for the scheme. The call closes on March 25, 2025.
Rethinking
Digital product passports are a result of European (ESPR) and national agreements. Companies that anticipate the regulations are already realizing (added) value with circular business models. Digital product passports can also reveal abuses in the value chain, such as raw material extraction under poor conditions. "It requires organizations to rethink," says Annelotte Vonk, program manager of the scheme. "How do you get started with this and what knowledge and experience is already available? Universities of applied sciences can play a major role here with their practice-oriented research."
Practice-oriented knowledge
Regieorgaan SIA and Topsector ICT have a joint ambition to strengthen practice-oriented research on themes that are central to the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) Digitalization. A total of €2.7 million is available for the scheme. Frits Grotenhuis, director of Topsector ICT: "I am very pleased that we as Topsector ICT are contributing to the research into digital product passports with this call. The challenge is to make practical knowledge about the application of digital product passports available in the short term to help the business community and other organisations with these developments."
