Digital Product Passports and the Circular Economy: an event hosted by the BMUKN
How can digital technologies help advance the circular economy – and why is simply providing consumers with more information not enough? These questions were at the heart of the side event “Data. Circularity. Society.” at the Federal Ministry for the Environment in Berlin.
On 5 November 2026, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) hosted the side event “Data. Circularity. Society. – Shaping the Digital Transformation of the Circular Economy Together” in Berlin as part of the 2026 Digital Summit.
Professor Richard Geibel and a representative of the E-Commerce Institute attended the event, which was co-organised by Ruth Geibel.
The event brought together representatives from politics, business, academia, public administration and civil society to explore the potential of digital technologies for advancing the circular economy. Discussions focused on how digital infrastructures, data ecosystems and innovative applications can help close material loops and establish more sustainable economic models.
One particularly important question goes beyond technological implementation. How can we ensure that digital information actually translates into behavioural change and, ultimately, greater sustainability?
The Digital Product Passport: Increasing Transparency Throughout the Product Lifecycle
One of the key instruments in the digital transformation of the circular economy is the Digital Product Passport (DPP). Based on the European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), it aims to make relevant information about products, components and materials digitally accessible.
Using a data carrier, such as a QR code, different stakeholders will be able to access product-specific information. This may include:
- Materials used and their origin
- Product reparability and availability of spare parts
- Environmental impacts and resource consumption
- Reuse and recycling options
- Technical characteristics and product compliance
The Digital Product Passport is intended not only to help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions. Manufacturers, retailers, repair businesses and recycling companies can also benefit from improved data availability.
Its implementation will take place gradually, depending on the respective product groups. For certain batteries, the Digital Product Passport will become mandatory from 18 February 2027. Further product groups are expected to follow.
For the e-commerce sector, this development creates new opportunities: product information can be presented more transparently, supply chains can become more traceable, and sustainable product characteristics can be integrated more effectively into digital purchasing processes.
However, better access to information does not automatically guarantee more sustainable purchasing decisions.
The Behavioural Science Perspective: Transparency Does Not Automatically Change Behaviour
From a behavioural science perspective, one fundamental question arises: Is providing people with more information enough to encourage them to act more sustainably?
The answer is more complex. Information can support decision-making, but it does not necessarily lead to behavioural change. There is often a considerable gap between knowing about sustainable alternatives and actually choosing them.
This becomes particularly apparent in three areas:
1. Consumers: Information Must Be Relevant at the Point of Decision
The Digital Product Passport can provide extensive information about a product’s characteristics and lifecycle. But how many consumers will actually scan a QR code before choosing a product in a physical retail environment?
The same question applies to e-commerce: How should product information be presented and integrated into the purchasing process?
The key is to make relevant sustainability information visible exactly where purchasing decisions are made. An additional information step can create friction. By contrast, information that is presented clearly, understandably and at the right moment can make decision-making easier.
2. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Sustainability Must Be Feasible
The Digital Product Passport also presents challenges for businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular, will need to address new requirements concerning data management, data quality and digital infrastructure.
A lack of willingness to operate more sustainably is not necessarily the problem. More often, limited financial and human resources, insufficient technical expertise or complex processes make implementation difficult.
For the Digital Product Passport to fulfil its potential, practical and affordable solutions are essential. Standardised frameworks, interoperable systems and accessible technical support are important prerequisites to ensure that digitalisation does not become an additional burden for businesses.
3. Repair and Recycling: Accessibility Determines Behaviour
Another important aspect concerns product use and the end of the product lifecycle.
Information about repairability or recycling options is only useful if consumers and businesses can actually access and use these options without unnecessary effort.
If spare parts are difficult to obtain, repair services are hard to find or recycling processes are too complicated, the sustainable alternative often becomes the less attractive option.
This illustrates a fundamental behavioural science principle: People frequently base their decisions on effort, accessibility and convenience.
Digital information must therefore be combined with functioning services and infrastructure. A product passport cannot repair a product on its own, nor can it close material loops by itself.
Digital Infrastructure as the Foundation of a Circular Economy
In addition to the Digital Product Passport, the event showcased other approaches and projects demonstrating the diverse ways in which the digital transformation of the circular economy can be advanced.
One key focus was the digitalisation initiative aimed at closing material loops. Several pitch sessions presented projects and initiatives including the Circular Economy Information Ecosystem (CEIS), AI applications for the circular economy, Catena-X and the Circular AI Hub.
Other topics included scaling digital solutions, supporting civil society initiatives and research into circular business practices conducted by the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt).
During the concluding panel discussion, representatives from public administration, business, industry associations, academia and civil society explored different perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of the digital circular economy.
The contributions highlighted one central point: A functioning circular economy requires more than individual digital applications. It depends on the interaction of reliable data, interoperable systems, economically viable business models and the active participation of relevant stakeholders.
Conclusion: Sustainable Digitalisation Must Start with People
The Digital Product Passport represents an important step towards improving transparency and information availability throughout the product lifecycle. It can create new opportunities for businesses, support sustainable business models and help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.
However, its actual impact will depend on how this information is used in everyday life.
From a behavioural science perspective, this means that sustainable choices must not only be possible but also easy, understandable and attractive. Businesses need practical solutions, consumers must be able to access relevant information without additional barriers, and repair and recycling services must be genuinely accessible.
More information does not automatically mean more motivation. The real challenge is to translate digital transparency into concrete opportunities for action.
The event “Data. Circularity. Society.” provided valuable insights into how policymakers, businesses, academia and society can work together to shape the digital transformation of the circular economy.
Our sincere thanks go to the organising team at the Federal Ministry for the Environment. Particularly Ruth Geibel for her role in co-organising the event, as well as to all speakers and participants for the valuable discussions and diverse perspectives.