Ecommerce Europe supports the introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP), as a tool which has the potential to enhance product information for consumers and improve traceability along the value chains. If implemented properly, the DPP can also both support and incentivise businesses’ compliance while facilitating the work of enforcement authorities across the EU. Yesterday, Ecommerce Europe published its position paper setting out its recommendations for a successful implementation of the DPP, which are articulated around three guiding principles.
First, when developing the DPP, policymakers should take into account the current business practices and the challenges that data collection and sharing can involve. Many companies are already assessing the most effective way to integrate the DPP into their processes, identifying the potential business benefits. For example, stakeholders have flagged challenges related to sharing data across value chains and have identified ways to convey information to make it accessible to consumers. Ecommerce Europe believes that building on these initiatives will be crucial in encouraging uptake in the e-commerce sector. Incentivising the participation of stakeholders responsible for implementing the DPP will contribute to ensuring that consumers receive relevant and reliable information, as well as preventing new disproportionate costs and burdens on businesses.
Second, the DPP should be easy to use and gradually introduced. Numerous companies anticipate far-reaching adjustments to their business models. Implementing this new tool step by step will be key in limiting remaining uncertainties and enabling predictability in terms of investment of financial and human resources. In line with this, Ecommerce Europe recommends that the first DPPs mandate only a few and easy-to-digitalise product requirements, and prioritise data which do not require frequent updates.
Third, any expansion of the DPP requirement to new product categories should build on lessons learned captured throughout the first DPP roll-outs and continuous dialogue with stakeholders. Notably, it will be crucial to conduct careful impact assessment and understanding of the experience with the current list of product categories before mandating DPPs for new product categories. Ecommerce Europe calls on the European Commission to evaluate the costs and both technical and practical feasibility, to ensure that the DPP remains user-friendly.
To conclude, Ecommerce Europe is set on contributing to a wide acceptance of the DPP concept among all e-commerce players – regardless of the business models and their position in the value chain – as well as their customers. To read more about Ecommerce Europe’s position on the DPP, including recommendations for its implementation in the context of the circular economy and online sales, read the full paper here.