Direct answer
A digital product passport project needs a durable link between the physical product or pack and governed data. Define the product scope, unique identity, responsible data owners, carrier location, print or label method, verification and long-term access before changing production artwork.
Confirm the product and regulatory scope
Digital product passport requirements are being introduced by product-specific EU measures rather than one identical rule for every item. Determine the product category, market, economic operator and data obligations before selecting a code.
Keep the legal requirement separate from optional consumer or service content. This prevents a marketing redesign from compromising mandatory access or retention.
Design identity and data ownership
Define the identifier for the model, batch or individual item and how it relates to existing GTIN, serialisation, ERP and product-lifecycle records. Assign an owner to every required data field and evidence source.
A passport is only as reliable as the underlying data. Use controlled master data, change approval and validation rules rather than manually assembling information at artwork release.
Select the physical data carrier
Choose whether the carrier is pre-printed, printed on the line or applied as a label. Consider product life, abrasion, chemicals, heat, cleaning, pack replacement and whether the carrier must remain with the product after secondary packaging is discarded.
Test code size, contrast, curvature and scan access. Where item-level identity is required, prove that the correct variable code remains associated with the correct product through every transfer.
Validate access and lifecycle support
Test the code from production through distribution and use. Confirm authentication, access permissions, language, version history, link monitoring and data retention.
Plan how records will remain accessible if a supplier, software platform or web domain changes. Portability and exit arrangements should be part of the system specification.
Information to prepare
- Confirm product-specific DPP scope and dates
- Define model, batch or item identity
- Assign data owners and evidence sources
- Choose a durable code or label location
- Prove print, association and verification at line speed
- Test user access and permissions
- Plan retention, portability and supplier exit
Coding Machinery
Production coding and identification routes for batch, barcode, QR and serialised data.
Official references
Check the current source before relying on dates, thresholds or legal duties.