The European Union has passed new regulations that require all products placed on the EU market to have a digital passport starting next year.
The European Union has passed new regulations requiring all products placed on the EU market to have a digital passport from next year . The obligation, which will come into force for the textile industry in 2026, aims to improve data collection and exchange, as well as increase sustainability by making it easier to track a product’s lifecycle.
The digital passport is a key tool for achieving these goals, as it enables efficient collection of data on products and their environmental impact.
This innovative project, which began as a pilot project in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 2024, aims to provide comprehensive information about products – from the raw material, through the production process, to the end of the life cycle, including recycling and contributing to the circular economy.
ALMA RAS PILOT PROJECT
One of the pioneers in the implementation of digital product passports in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the company Alma Ras . In cooperation with the GS1 BiH organization, Alma Ras implemented a pilot project with a digital passport for the “White T-shirt that tells a story”. This project provided valuable insights into processes within the supply chain that require additional digitalization to ensure more efficient data collection.
Nermina Kadrić, marketing manager at Alma Ras , points out that the digital passport product is the first step towards implementing new technologies in business.
“This digital document contains all the essential information about the product that was previously distributed on numerous labels, now combined into a single QR code. By scanning the code, consumers will have insight into the complete life cycle of the product, which allows for a greater level of transparency and accountability in business ,” she said.
She believes that digital passports will improve business in a way that is actually the core values of this company, which is primarily transparent business. Which means that all users will have insight into the process of creating a product by tracking it via the QR code of Alma Ras products.
Haris Poturković, Senior Technical Associate at GS1 in BiH, points out that the European Commission’s delegated act for the textile industry is currently awaiting official approval, which will define further steps and enable wider implementation of digital product passports.
READINESS OF BH COMPANIES FOR DIGITAL PASSPORT
Although it is expected that most companies in BiH must implement digital product passports in order to align their operations with new European regulations, there are currently no formal applications or requests for the issuance of a digital product passport.
“Although they share a similar name, a digital product passport (DPP) and a traditional passport are not the same. In the case of a DPP, companies do not submit or apply for it – instead, they need to be able to generate a passport based on their processes and data. This involves transparently and digitally presenting product information, such as details about the supply chain, materials used, workforce employed, environmental impact, recycling options and similar aspects. Companies’ readiness depends on their current technological infrastructure and level of digitalization ,” he explains.
He notes that the pilot project with Alma Ras provided valuable information on the steps needed to increase the degree of digitalization within the supply chain.
“Companies will need to invest in implementing new or upgrading existing ERP systems, as well as ensuring their integration with appropriate platforms for digital product passports. GS1 already has experience in this area and plans to offer consulting services to support companies in this transition ,” adds Poturković.
GS1 SUPPORT FOR DIGITAL PASSPORT IMPLEMENTATION
GS1, as a global organization with more than 40 years of experience in standardizing and implementing solutions for unique identification and data collection, has a key role in the implementation of the digital product passport. The organization provides support to companies through training, workshops and consulting services to help them adapt to the new regulations. GS1 is also actively involved in the process of adopting the amended EU ESPR regulation ((EU) 2024/1781), which introduces the concept of the digital product passport.
The problem that companies may encounter is connecting this platform to the ESPR system, where there are a large number of items that will have to be covered by this passport.
In cooperation with the Foreign Trade Chamber, entity chambers of commerce and regional chambers, GS1 plans to hold trainings and workshops to inform and prepare as many companies in BiH as possible for the implementation of the digital product passport. GS1 also offers consulting services that include assistance in the integration of new ERP systems and platforms required for the generation of digital passports.
WHY IS GMP IMPORTANT?
The DPP enables industries to align with the requirements of the EU Green Deal and regulations that encourage sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This system will help reduce waste, increase recycling and enable the decoupling of economic growth from resource use. By implementing the DPP, the EU is laying the foundations for a more sustainable future, by enabling better monitoring of the life cycle of products, reducing negative environmental impacts and promoting a circular economy.
DPP also enables better transparency in business, as all product information will be easily accessible to consumers and business partners. This approach helps build trust among all participants in the supply chain and encourages responsible behavior.
WHAT PRODUCTS WILL BE COVERED BY GPP?
According to the draft regulation, the DPP will be legally mandatory for all categories of physical products on the EU market, except for food, feed and medicines. The first products that will have to implement the digital passport will be batteries, textiles, children’s toys and detergents, starting from 2026. This step represents the first major step towards aligning all industries with the objectives of the EU Green Deal, including reducing CO2 emissions and strengthening the circular economy.
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Source: akta.ba
