Data Governance for Compliance with the European Digital Product Passport: a Systematic Literature Review
TL;DR
The findings provide a conceptual basis and strategic guidelines for future DPP deployment, highlighting the importance of appropriate governance mechanisms to strengthen the DPP’s role as a catalyst for the circular economy.
Abstract
The Digital Product Passport (DPP), proposed by the European Commission, is a unique identifier containing detailed information about a product’s life cycle to improve traceability, transparency and sustainability, which promotes the circular economy (CE). This study examines the data governance required for DPP implementation in Europe, identifying regulatory requirements and assessing governance approaches capable of supporting DPP ecosystems. A systematic literature review, following the PRISMA methodology, included an analysis of EU legal and technical requirements together with governance proposals identified in academic and gray literature. Based on the governance approaches identified in the literature, three models were selected for analysis: data trusts, data cooperatives and blockchain-based governance. These approaches were specifically evaluated according to their ability to address four key DPP requirements: interoperability, security, data owner control and competitiveness. As DPP implementation remains at an early stage and has not yet been fully deployed in any product category, this study adopts a cross-sectoral perspective focused on generic DPP requirements applicable across product types. The findings provide a conceptual basis and strategic guidelines for future DPP deployment, highlighting the importance of appropriate governance mechanisms to strengthen the DPP’s role as a catalyst for the circular economy.