DATA4CIRC Multi-Project Webinar on DPPs (Part 2)

Published Nov 2025 © DATA4CIRC

In the first part of this blog, we reviewed the keynote speeches and expert panel discussion from the webinar on Insights into Digital Product Passports and EU Research which DATA4CIRC co-hosted with the RecAL project on 21^st October 2025. In this second instalment we’re going to move on to the open discussion session in which the experts from the DATA4CIRC, RecAL, CIRPASS-2, COMPASS, and R-evolve projects, plus from European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) took questions from the audience.

The attendance at the webinar was extremely good, with over 280 participants from more than 30 countries – showing that DPPs are of global importance! The participants were highly engaged and put a number of tough questions to the experts:

How does the Circular Economy Act affect data attributes in DPPs and will mandate 614 resolve the technical problems?

Mandate 614 refers to the document COM(2025) 614, which shifted the European Union away from a traditional “take-make-dispose” linear economy toward a circular model.

Dr Martin Führ, from the R-evolve project and Hochschule Darmstadt, distinguished between the ‘technical side’ and the ‘behavioural side’ of DPP implementation, noting that the technical problems are, largely, solved – or at least in the process of being solved. The Circular Economy Act, which is scheduled for adoption in 2026, aims to establish a Single Market for secondary raw materials within the EU. It builds upon the existing Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR/ 2024R1781). The European Commission, in his view, clearly see the benefits of DPPs and he does not foresee any weakening of DPP requirements. As European firms are well-positioned to produce more sustainable and long-lasting products, they add to European competitiveness.

Carolynn Bernier, from the CIRPASS-2 project, agreed that the Single Market strategy will strengthen the DPP. She added that Mandate 614, is a standardisation mandate for data spaces – which is far broader than just DPPs. For DPPs, the mandate is being developed by the Joint Technical Committee 24 of CEN/CENELEC.

Does CIRPASS-2 extend to value chains beyond the EU? If not, do similar initiatives exist elsewhere?

Carolynn Bernier said that the Circular Data Platform is akin to a ‘Linkedin’ for DPPs – it is about sharing information, not providing solutions. It is open to anyone and designed to facilitate collaboration: as such, it already has members from across the globe, so it is, for example, an ideal place to look for partners.

How do you manage DPPs, including recycled material and are you compatible with systems like GS1?

Teresa Oberhauser, from the COMPASS project and Circularise, explained that GS1 is an international organisation, created by companies and dedicated to the development of global standards for the identification, communication & sharing of information between companies. For example, with QR codes. Of particular relevance for DPPs, are GS1’s standards for identification, automatic identification and data capture (AIDC), and data sharing. These are especially relevant when it comes to traceability.

How can AI help in data collection and traceability, as well as communication, for example in supply chains?

Teresa Oberhauser replied that AI can help by, for example, allowing different formats: not everybody has the same level of digital skills. AI can allow data to be collected via a response to an email (instead of users having to login to a platform) or allow data to be submitted in the format in which it was collected without the need to the provider to convert it manually into a standardised/joint format. AI can also help users quickly gain insights into the materials with which they are working. For example: What does it mean if this contains x-amount of chemical A? How does this impact compliance in my region? etc.

What is the role and effectiveness of Asset Administration Shell sub-models in the implementation of DPPs into different pilot programmes?

Wan Li replied that each Asset Administration Shell sub-model is just be considered as a collection of information, structured in the same way. It is not yet clear which sub-models will be mandatory for a DPP. For example, he highlighted the six sub-models, including digital name plate, manufacturer’s contact details, etc. named in the pilot project DPP4.0.

Carolynn Bernier added that, of the 13 pilot ecosystems in CIRPASS-2, only one uses the Asset Administration Shell. The support its use, but is should not be mandatory if another approach is desired.

Do DPPs apply to companies of all sizes in the sections mentioned? How are small companies to prepare and comply?

Panos Symeonidis replied that DPPs can be applied to small companies as well and that the complexity of the solution/technology used will be matched to the resources of the company. Small companies may choose more traditional architectures e.g. a database. In general, the size of the company should not matter when it comes to DPPs.

Martin Führ added that it will depend on the delegated act but agreed that it is not the size of the company that matters. The issue is more what type of work they do. The governance framework should, in any case, allow smaller companies a level playing field as larger companies will have to address the same questions to suppliers.

There were a lot of questions from the audience that we did not have time to get address due to time constraints. We hope to arrange a follow-up webinar in early 2026 in which we will address some of these, so keep an eye on DATA4CIRC’s website and social media channels for details!

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