Abstract
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a concept of a policy instrument particularly pushed by policy circles to contribute to a circular economy. The preliminary design of the DPP is supposed to have product-related information compiled mainly by manufactures and, thus, to provide the basis for more circular products. Given the lack of scientific debate on the DPP, this study seeks to work out design options of the DPP and how these options might benefit stakeholders in a product’s value chain. In so doing, we introduce the concept of the DPP and, then, describe the existing regime of regulated and voluntary product information tools focusing on the role of stakeholders. These initial results are reflected in an actor-centered analysis on potential advantages gained through the DPP. Data is generated through desk research and a stakeholder workshop. In particular, by having explored the role the DPP for different actors, we find substantial demand for further research on a variety of issues, for instance, on how to reduce red tape and increase incentives for manufacturers to deliver certain information and on how or through what data collection tool (e.g., database) relevant data can be compiled and how such data is provided to which stakeholder group. We call upon other researchers to close the research gaps explored in this paper also to provide better policy direction on the DPP.
Highlights
At the international level, with the Agenda 2030 [1] the global community has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development [2]
On the level of the European Union (EU) and with regard to product policy, the provision of data and the organization of a comprehensive information flow is promoted, among other things, by the “European Green Deal” [3] and the “Circular Economy Action Plan” [4] of the EU. Another impetus that makes the topic of product policy and data collection/provision even more relevant is the topic of digitalization, which has been heavily discussed for years
Product information can be relevant to different user groups, but with different levels of detail, while market surveillance authorities need to have a clear overall picture with relatively detailed information, investors need simpler information for their purchasing decisions
Summary
With the Agenda 2030 [1] the global community has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development [2]. The DPP has the potential to provide different actors (such as consumers and waste management companies) with relevant information on a product and force decisions towards sustainable development (for consumers during the purchase and use phase, for waste management companies during disassembling and recycling) For this undertaking, e.g., Gligoric et al have been developing smart tags based on printed sensors to product or object identification on a per item-level [8], while Donetskaya and Gatchin in their conference paper come up with some requirements for the content of a DPP [9]. To make businesses deliver to these objectives, the obligation to generate high quality product information can be a valuable contribution in a policy mix for an effective circular approach [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
