Digitization
Europe prepares for Digital Product Passport revolution in industry
The Digital Product Passport is set to overhaul how information flows along the value chain
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By ICN Bureau | December 09, 2025
A new joint paper highlights a quiet but significant digital shift reshaping Europe’s industrial landscape: the Digital Product Passport (DPP).
Championed by the European Commission, the DPP is set to overhaul how information flows along the value chain, offering unprecedented transparency on a product’s compliance, materials, technical and environmental performance, and even end-of-life guidance.
Cefic and the European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC) say the initiative could be a game-changer for the chemical sector. “Beyond informing consumers on product data, the DPP could play a key role in market surveillance, helping detect and prevent the circulation of fraudulent or unsafe imported products,” the paper notes.
But industry insiders caution that the transition will not be without hurdles. To avoid “unnecessary administrative, financial, and operational burdens,” rollout must be gradual, strategic, and aligned with the realities of the chemical value chain.
Cefic and FECC outline some key recommendations for a smooth adoption: The first is value chain collaboration – ensure interoperable systems and harmonised data sharing. Next comes workability for all – develop user-friendly, efficient systems accessible to SMEs.
Others include templates and terminology – standardise information to ensure clarity and comparability, implementation time – adopt a staggered, pragmatic rollout to allow adaptation, and data assurance – focus on methodology and sample audits rather than verifying every data point.
The paper stemmed from the June 2025 event “Scanning the Chemical Industry: Unpacking the Digital Product Passport”.
