Digital Trust
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Push for transparent supply chains with digital product passports

The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) came into effect in mid- 2024. This regulation mandates companies to disclose information regarding the origin of their products and their environmental impact. This mandatory implementation of digital product passports (DPPs) ensures that product data is authentic, reliable, and compliant.

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Implementing DPPs will be challenging, and production and product data must be verified and accessible via a data carrier. Legislative developments will impact standardisation and DPP service providers. While acts are being finalised, European standardisation bodies are developing the standards for DPPs for adoption by the beginning of 2026.

Maturity

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Show the other PLAN trends
Changing dynamics in Responsible AI From large to small language models AR and smart glasses become more prominent Increasing AI-enhanced user experience Growing big tech competition for the XR stack Increased application of FAIR principles to enable digital ecosystems in Europe Growing relevance of TRUST principles for data repositories to secure data More decentralisation of data ownership enabled by SSI solutions Emergence of organisational wallets Push for transparent supply chains with digital product passports Bringing computing resources closer to the ‘edge’ Growing need for automated cloud and edge resource management Growing emphasis on neuromorphic (brain-inspired) computing Integrating photonics for accelerated information processing The battle for airwaves AI/Ops, digital twinning and the emergence of the LLM in network operations Power usage and ecological footprint From ad hoc experiments to applications Towards Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC) Cyber-physical technology calls for resilient minds A growing urge for chip sovereignty in Europe

Drivers

Impact

education

Education

  • Different schools and universities are already discussing the possibilities of using DPPs, the associated challenges with using DPPs, and are working on prototypes.
  • Students are and can research sustainability effects, suitable business models, and the technical (in)capabilities involved with the deployment of DPPs.
Research

Research

  • DPPs can also be relevant for research and datasets, especially in areas related to sustainability, IT, product lifecycle analysis, and supply chain transparency.
Operations

Operations

  • Educational institutions can minimise their environmental impact and enhance procurement and campus management.
  • Although not required to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), many institutions are proactively selecting sustainable products and partners.
  • The DPP will improve procurement, increase transparency, and enhance real estate management, enabling campuses to make informed, sustainable choices.
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