The Digital Product Passport will become mandatory in the EU for certain product groups starting in 2027. The EU Ecodesign Regulation requires manufacturers and importers to provide comprehensive product information in digital form.
The EmpowerDPP research project is developing solutions for efficient data management and identifying service opportunities. It supports manufacturing companies in overcoming technical and organizational challenges while simultaneously exploring new business models.
The EmpowerDPP project pursues two central objectives: It develops technical and organizational foundations for the data management of the Digital Product Passport and identifies service opportunities in production technology. Manufacturing companies face the challenge of providing digital product passports for certain products starting in 2027. This requires considerable technical and organizational effort.
Companies must establish and implement standards for the collection, exchange, and use of relevant data among various stakeholders. Many companies lack knowledge about the potential of the DPP and the associated service options. In addition, there is a shortage of financial and human resources for implementation. The project addresses these challenges through a structured data provision concept, a readiness model for self-assessment, and concrete service scenarios that open up additional revenue streams.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISST and Fraunhofer IWU, is developing innovative solutions for the DPP.
We offer:
| Project Title | EmpowerDPP: Data Management Meets Digital Product Passport—Towards Value Creation |
|---|---|
| Duration | January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 |
| Funding Agency | Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence CCIT |
| Collaborating Partners | Fraunhofer ISST Fraunhofer IWU Fraunhofer IML |
| Project Management | Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST |
“Through the research collaboration between the Fraunhofer ISST, IWU, and IML, we are combining our expertise in data ecosystems, production engineering, and logistics to advance the Digital Product Passport in the EU on a scientifically sound basis and create a conceptual foundation for pilot projects as well as transparent, traceable DPP solutions throughout the product lifecycle.”
Anna Preut, M.Sc., is conducting research on the Digital Product Passport at Fraunhofer IML
The EmpowerDPP project combines two areas of research: data management and data-driven services related to the DPP. To begin with, the researchers are conducting an analysis of functional and non-functional requirements. They are examining data collection, distribution, and integration processes, as well as performance, security, scalability, and usability. This structured analysis derives technical, organizational, and regulatory requirements and translates them into binding implementation goals.
In the area of data management, the team is developing a DPP readiness model and a data provisioning concept for SMEs. The readiness model enables companies to systematically determine the current maturity level of their data processes and infrastructure. It identifies gaps and provides a structured self-assessment across key dimensions such as data quality, governance, and technology stack. The data provisioning concept establishes clear processes and responsibilities. It defines which data must be provided, along with its required quality, formats, and interfaces. This reduces manual effort and minimizes sources of error.
The DPP Readiness Model helps companies systematically assess the current maturity level of their data processes. It provides a structured self-assessment based on dimensions such as:
Based on this, companies can set priorities and develop a customized implementation roadmap. This ranges from short-term quick wins to long-term architectural initiatives.
Above all, the Digital Product Passport creates transparency for companies. This opens up a wide range of value-creation opportunities through improved processes and expanded services. The project develops conceptual demonstrations of service opportunities related to the DPP and uses value stream analyses to identify dynamic monetization models.
A conceptual demonstration of service opportunities offers companies three key advantages:
Value stream analysis for dynamic reverse logistics models enables companies to specifically optimize take-back, processing, and recycling processes. Throughput times are reduced, and costs are lowered. At the same time, companies gain data to dynamically simulate different recovery scenarios.
The EmpowerDPP project expands the programmable material and product functions developed in Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Programmable Materials, CPM to include a transferable concept of the Digital Product Passport with a Readiness Check. Within the framework of the CCPE, this enables transparency, traceability, data-driven services, scalable circular economy strategies, and greater resource efficiency.
The EmpowerDPP approach provides end-to-end transparency and traceability across material origins, manufacturing processes, and product lifecycles. This enables the establishment of reliable and efficient circular economy processes.
Thanks to a standardized, transferable concept, the DPP can be scaled across industries. It integrates seamlessly into existing CCPE frameworks. Building on the CCPE’s research findings and expertise in the areas of logistics, the circular economy, sustainability, and digitalization, the researchers are formulating requirements for a transferable DPP concept for manufacturing companies. They are developing a DPP Readiness Check based on these requirements. The results are being continuously refined in close collaboration with the clusters.
Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML