Why One-Size-Fits-All Digital Product Passports Are Failing Manufacturers

As the European Union accelerates its transition toward a circular and climate-neutral economy, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are becoming essential tools for ensuring compliance, transparency, and sustainability across product lifecycles. However, not all DPP solutions are created equal. Many manufacturers adopting off-the-shelf or rigid DPP templates quickly discover their limitations—often at the cost of data accuracy, operational efficiency, and regulatory readiness. The Pitfalls of Generic Templates At first glance, industry-standard DPP templates seem like a practical shortcut. They offer a predefined structure that simplifies the early stages of data collection. Yet, these templates frequently fall short in capturing the unique attributes of a manufacturer’s specific product or production process. The result is often incomplete data entry, where important product characteristics—such as custom components, specialised materials, or intricate supply chain details—are eith...