Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB 
Description of the Project
The technological implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP)—mandated by the EU under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)—faces numerous hurdles that pose particular challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In this project, the Fraunhofer Institutes IOSB, IIS, and ISST are jointly developing a technological solution and business concepts to overcome these obstacles. To this end, the project enables the semi-automated creation of DPPs and controlled data access via a data space. Additionally, it examines the value-added potential of the DPP to support SMEs during implementation.
Project objectives
The results are evaluated based on the "used laptop" use case within the consumer electronics sector and presented via a physical demonstrator. At the push of a button, the laptop is assigned a Digital Product Passport (DPP) that enables access to instance-specific data about the device. Data sovereignty is ensured through data space policies; this involves accounting for the distinct perspectives and access rights of various stakeholders along the value chain—manufacturers, consumers, and refurbishers—and visualizing them on a digital dashboard. Based on the laptop DPP use case, various other DPP applications are identified that offer added value to different stakeholders.
The successful implementation of a technological solution for DPPs—leveraging data spaces—helps SMEs, in particular, meet EU regulatory requirements. Furthermore, a key outcome of the project is the development of business models and value streams that transform the DPP from a regulatory obligation into a source of economic value.
