Productsup and Protokol Collaborate on Digital Product Passports for EU Compliance

In a strategic move towards sustainability and compliance, Productsup, a leader in enterprise feed management, has joined forces with Protokol, a prominent provider of Digital Product Passport (DPP) solutions. This partnership seeks to streamline the process of creating DPPs from existing product data, effectively preparing companies for the upcoming regulations set by the European Union (EU).

Understanding the Digital Product Passport

As companies navigate the evolving landscape of environmental regulations, the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) from the EU will require businesses to implement DPPs across various industries. This necessitates creating a clear and accessible digital representation of product information, which includes crucial details like materials, repairability, recyclability, and overall environmental impact. By adhering to the ESPR, businesses can enhance product traceability and promote sustainability.

Lars Rensing, CEO of Protokol, highlighted the significant challenges firms face when gathering and standardizing product data from numerous sources. The integration of Protokol with Productsup allows companies to effortlessly utilize their existing product data—streamlining compliance without the burden of extensive data collection and organization.

Benefits of the Partnership

The collaboration offers seamless integration between Productsup's sophisticated feed management platform and Protokol's innovative DPP solutions. This means that businesses can convert their enriched product data into Digital Product Passports effortlessly, saving time and reducing errors associated with manual data handling. Johannis Hatt, CEO of Productsup, emphasized that this partnership is not just about compliance but also about automating complex data processes to deliver a scalable, smart solution.

Ease of Compliance

With the partnership, businesses can focus on compliance readiness as they can quickly transform their existing product data into the needed formats for DPPs. This is especially important as the ESPR mandates that all businesses operating in the EU market—regardless of where their products are made—must adhere to these new guidelines. By simplifying the process, the partnership helps companies mitigate the challenges posed by the DPP implementation.

The Broader Context

The DPP's introduction will coincide with the Omnibus Regulation, aimed at harmonizing sustainability data across various policies, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). While the CSRD's implementation is set to be delayed until late 2025, businesses can utilize this time wisely to prepare for compliance, ensuring they meet both current and future regulatory demands.

The forthcoming regulations will primarily affect sectors such as textiles, electronics, and steel, with the DPP becoming a necessity for all businesses in those areas starting from 2027. This regulation is projected to enhance supply chain transparency and empower consumers to make informed decisions based on product information.

Future-Proofing Sustainability Efforts

Both Productsup and Protokol are committed to supporting the transition to sustainable practices across industries. The integration of their platforms not only promotes compliance but also aligns with broader sustainability objectives. Businesses are encouraged to gather structured product data, including material composition and certifications, in secure formats that are accessible along their supply chains. This groundwork lays the crucial foundation for achieving the sustainability goals mandated by upcoming regulations.

The partnership is poised to provide a comprehensive solution to cater to the complex demands of regulation while maintaining data integrity and positioning companies for long-term success across various regulatory environments.

To further educate stakeholders about the upcoming changes and strategies for compliance, Productsup and Protokol will host a joint webinar titled "Leveraging Existing Product Lifecycle Data to Align with EU Sustainability Regulations." This event will take place on June 17, 2025, at 2 PM CET, and aims to provide valuable insights into navigating the new regulatory landscape.

For more detailed information about the partnership and how Productsup can aid in preparing product feeds for global sustainability mandates, interested parties can visit their respective websites: Productsup and Protokol.