Starting in 2024, the European Union will implement a new regulation requiring nearly all products sold in the EU to feature a Digital Product Passport (DPP). This initiative, part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, aims to enhance transparency across product value chains by providing comprehensive information about each product’s origin, materials, environmental impact, and disposal recommendations. The DPP is designed to close the gap between consumer demands for transparency and the current lack of reliable product data.
This is the official line. But what does it actually mean for companies? Leart Lahu (Content Creator at Boyum) and Adam Sutton (Senior Channel Manager & PIM Expert at Boyum) discussed this very topic in our podcast in May 2025.
To sum it up: the upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) is forcing companies to rethink their product data from the ground up.
Top Challenges Businesses Encounter When Implementing the Digital Product Passport
Adam Sutton highlights these main areas of concern:
Complience in Motion: For starters, regulatory compliance is a moving target. The landscape is still evolving, and no universal standard has been finalized. That makes it difficult for companies to plan with confidence.
Complexity of Product Data: Then there’s the complexity of product data itself. Information required for the DPP – from material content to environmental impact – is typically scattered across ERPs, spreadsheets, PDF files, or even email threads. Gathering, verifying, and maintaining this data centrally is no small feat.
Sensivity of Data: The sensitivity of certain data adds another layer of difficulty. Sharing detailed product information might be necessary for compliance – but it also raises concerns about exposing trade secrets, proprietary formulations, or supplier relationships.
Operational Shifts: Internally, companies face major significant operational shifts. Collaboration between sustainability, compliance, product, and supply chain teams is no longer optional – it’s essential. But building this kind of cross-functional alignment often requires new processes, clearly defined responsibilities, and cultural change.
Technical Infrastructure: Technical readiness is another critical factor. Most existing systems weren’t designed to handle the kind of granular, lifecycle-based data the DPP demands. Retrofitting legacy infrastructure or introducing new tools can be time-consuming and costly – and many companies haven’t planned for it.
Provide Relevant Product Data: Even if a company manages to get its internal systems in order, supply chain limitations remain a major hurdle. Many suppliers – especially smaller ones, those outside the EU, or those without digital systems – may not be able or willing to provide the necessary data. That creates gaps that are hard to close.
PIM: The Key to Smarter Product Data
Meeting these new demands isn’t just about technology – it’s about mindset. Product data is becoming a strategic asset, not just for marketing and sales, but for compliance, sustainability, and long-term customer value.
Adam explains in the podcast how a Product Information Management (PIM) system can make a difference. While it’s not the only piece of the puzzle, it offers a single source of truth for product data, supports governance, and makes it easier to enrich, structure, and share information – across departments, systems, and borders.
Want to learn more? Tune into the full episode to get expert insights and practical takeaways.
Looking to make sense of Digital Product Passport requirements?
Perfion PIM helps you manage complex product data—from raw materials to recycling—in one central place.
Ensure compliance, gain transparency, and turn regulation into opportunity.
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