How manufacturers can prepare for Digital Product Passports: 7 practical steps

You do not need to wait for every product rule to be final before improving your data readiness.

1. Ask your customers Find out which fields, formats and timelines your EU buyers expect.

2. Centralize product data Keep product codes, materials, customs codes, specifications and identifiers in one controlled source.

3. Record each production run Material origin and suppliers can change between batches. Keep date, quantity, buyer and source data at the correct batch or serial level.

4. Map suppliers Identify which supplier owns each missing fact: fibre origin, chemical declaration, cell manufacturer, scrap source, wood origin or component conformity.

5. Organize documents Track certificate numbers, issuers, validity dates, test reports and declarations.

6. Prepare QR and labels Choose a persistent data carrier location that remains accessible through the required product lifetime.

7. Start small Create one complete passport for one real product flow. A pilot reveals missing data and unclear responsibilities faster than a large spreadsheet project.