A new joint paper sheds light on a digital step change quietly taking shape in Europe’s industry: the Digital Product Passport (DPP). Set to transform how information flows along the value chain, the DPP, implemented by the European Commission, promises transparency on a product’s compliance, materials, technical and environmental performance, and even end-of-life recommendations.
Cefic and the European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC) see the DPP as an important tool for boosting transparency and traceability of chemical in final products. Beyond informing consumers on product data, the DPP could play a key role in market surveillance, helping detect and prevent the circulation of fraudulent or unsafe imported products.
Yet the transition comes with challenges. To avoid unnecessary administrative, financial, and operational burdens, implementation must be gradual, strategic, and carefully aligned with the realities of the chemical value chain.
Cefic and FECC highlight six key industry recommendations:
- Value chain collaboration – ensure interoperable systems and harmonised data sharing.
- Workability for all – develop user-friendly, efficient systems accessible to SMEs.
- Templates and terminology – standardise information to ensure clarity and comparability.
- Implementation time – adopt a staggered, pragmatic rollout to allow adaptation.
- Data assurance – focus on methodology and sample audits rather than verifying every data point.
- Labelling requirements – consider digital labels via the DPP to reduce packaging complexity.
Purpose of this paper
This paper was drafted based on discussions from the event “Scanning the Chemical Industry: Unpacking the Digital Product Passport,” organised by Cefic and FECC in June 2025. It does not represent an official position of Cefic or FECC but aims to share insights from the discussions, inform stakeholders about upcoming developments, and encourage further dialogue.
For instance, the DPP is being introduced across a wide range of products. Certain types of batteries will be the first product category for which the DPP becomes mandatory in February 2027, followed by toys, construction materials, detergents, and other product groups included in the first working programme of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).