Strategic Account Manager
With full implementation approaching, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are set to transform the way businesses track materials, share data, and demonstrate sustainability.
According to the European Commission, DPPs will be a cornerstone of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, but how ready is industry?
At this year’s DPP Festival, experts from across Europe explored the challenges and opportunities ahead. This blog unpacks the key themes from the event, from regulation and standardisation to business value and SME support.
The opening sessions made one thing clear: implementing Digital Product Passports is both complex and transformative.
The goal is to create a digital ecosystem where every product has a verifiable record of its composition, origin, and environmental footprint, driving automation, transparency, and efficiency across supply chains.
Speakers emphasised that regulation doesn’t stifle innovation, it drives it. Just as mandated recycled content has accelerated investment in recycling, DPPs are expected to fuel new data-driven sustainability solutions.
One speaker highlighted the importance of international collaboration, noting that all stakeholders are on a shared journey and should work together along the way.
Learn more about the European Commission’s DPP framework here.
Standardisation was a recurring theme, it must be sector-driven to prevent confusion as data moves through complex supply chains. The CIRPASS-2 team is focused on easing the process for economic operators who must soon comply with DPP requirements.
Bernier emphasised that the DPP should not be viewed merely as a regulatory instrument but as a driver of economic opportunity.
For businesses, the benefits of DPPs go far beyond compliance:
For public authorities, DPPs create opportunities to track non-compliant products across borders, much like the EU Safety Gate system.
In a lively discussion moderated by Elliana Jensen-Abieva (CircularTech), experts agreed that success depends on sector collaboration and practical guidance for businesses of all sizes.
Key takeaways:
“Responsible economic partners need somewhere to go to check they’re not getting it wrong,” said Sjoerd Rongen (CoE-DPP/TNO).
According to Rongen, regulation creates the critical mass required for digital transformation. No organisation is exempt, and the inclusion of SMEs is vital for creating a truly circular, connected economy.
A circular model, he explained, means “pricing in externalities”, ensuring environmental costs are accounted for across every stage of a product’s life.
Mariane ter Veen (INNOPAY) presented the “Adoption Pulse – DPP in the Netherlands”, highlighting interviews with early adopters. Their motivations for embracing DPPs include:
Notably, 80% of frontrunner companies believe they’ll see tangible business benefits within three years, proving DPPs are more than a compliance exercise, they’re a catalyst for innovation.
Laura van den Aarssen (CoE-DPP/TNO Vector) urged companies to build cross-departmental teams to drive DPP projects forward. When digitalisation is left to a single individual, the opportunity is lost. Collaboration, training, and internal advocacy are key to success.
The Digital Product Passport is reshaping how industries think about products, data, and responsibility. It’s not just another compliance hurdle, it’s a strategic opportunity to strengthen sustainability credentials, streamline reporting, and build consumer trust.
Businesses that prepare early will gain a competitive advantage as DPP legislation progresses across Europe.
Valpak’s expertise and partnerships can support your business in preparing for DPP implementation and wider sustainability challenges:
Ready to explore how Digital Product Passports can add value to your business? Get in touch with our team today.
Strategic Account Manager