Cefic urges ‘gradual, proportionate’ rollout of digital product passport

Brussels – European chemical industry association (Cefic) has called for a “gradual and proportionate” implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP).

A rushed rollout, it warned, would create “unnecessary administrative, financial and operational burdens” for companies across the chemicals industry.

In a joint paper, issued 7 Dec, the organisation said the implementation must be “gradual, strategic, and carefully aligned with the realities of the chemical value-chain.”

While welcoming the initiative and its benefits for industries, the paper – published jointly with the European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC) – offered six key recommendations.

These included value chain collaboration to ensure “interoperable systems and harmonised data sharing,” with “user-friendly, efficient systems accessible to SMEs.”

The organisations also called on the European policy makers to standardise information to ensure clarity and comparability and adopt “a staggered, pragmatic rollout to allow adaptation.”

On data assurance, policy makers were urged to focus on methodology and sample audits rather than verifying every data point.

Ultimately, the joint paper recommended the adoption of digital labels via the DPP to reduce packaging complexity.

The paper is based on discussions at the event “Scanning the chemical industry: Unpacking the digital product passport,” organised by Cefic and FECC in June.

It does not represent an official policy position of either organisation, but aims to inform stakeholders and stimulate further discussion.

Under current EU plans, the DPP will be introduced across a wide range of product groups, starting February 2027.

Tires are one of the initial priority product categories targeted by the initiative, under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

Certain batteries will also be the first category subject to mandatory DPP requirements, followed by toys, construction products, detergents and other items included in the ESPR.