Sustainability and circular economy principles are reshaping industries, compelling businesses to reconsider how products are designed, manufactured, and managed throughout their lifecycle. In response to these shifting priorities, Technovative Solutions Ltd., along with one of its spin-offs and specialist division for digital product passports (DPPs), DigiProd Pass Ltd., are collaborating with leading furniture manufacturer and retailer DFS Group, in a pioneering pilot project. This initiative marks the first-ever implementation of DPPs within DFS’s selective product range, setting a new standard for transparency, traceability, and sustainable innovation.

What Are Digital Product Passports?

Much like a personal passport that records an individual’s travel history and identity, a Digital Product Passport (DPP) serves as a digital identity card for products, components, and materials. The DPP consolidates key lifecycle data, ensuring vital information is readily available to manufacturers, customers, value chain partners, and regulatory bodies. Each DPP documents a product’s entire journey—from material sourcing and production to sales, usage, re-use, remanufacturing, and eventual recycling or disposal. Instead of a physical document, DPPs are embedded directly into products through NFC chips, QR codes, or RFID tags, with blockchain technology ensuring data integrity and immutability.

With the EU’s EcoDesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) expected to mandate DPPs in various sectors before 2030 (with batteries already confirmed for 2027), businesses must prepare now to remain compliant and competitive.

DFS Pilot Project: A Blueprint for the Future

This collaborative pilot project will see a selection of DFS products undergo the creation, demonstration, deployment, and maintenance of DPPs. The initiative aims to showcase how DPPs can be practically implemented in the furniture industry, identifying key data points and integration strategies within DFS’s manufacturing processes.

Within this partnership:

• Technovative Solutions Ltd. will leverage its expertise to oversee Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) aspects.
• DigiProd Pass Ltd. will lead the design, deployment, and management of DPPs.
• DFS will contribute in product data and operational insights, ensuring seamless integration into its supply chain and production systems.

Embedding DPPs into DFS products enables regulatory authorities, manufacturers, and consumers to access accurate, real-time product information – enhancing transparency and fostering more sustainable purchasing and disposal decisions.

How DPPs Impact Sustainability and Circularity

DPPs are a crucial step towards achieving a fully circular economy, where resources are reused and recycled rather than discarded.

The benefits extend across multiple levels:

For Businesses: Compliance with emerging EU regulations, improved supply chain management, and a robust marketing tool showcasing sustainability credentials.

For Consumers: Greater transparency on product origin, materials, environmental impact, and disposal methods.

For Regulators: Reliable and verifiable product data that supports compliance with sustainability policies and eco-design regulations.

For the Environment: A measurable reduction in waste, carbon footprint, and raw material consumption through more responsible end-of-life management.

Insights from the Industry Experts

Kate Wright, Director of Sustainability at DFS Group, emphasises the importance of this initiative:

“We are committed to greater sustainability within all areas of our business. There is increasing stakeholder scrutiny, and we welcome the opportunity to provide easy access to evidence of good practice whilst also promoting greater circularity.”

Sohag Salauddin, Managing Director at DigiProd Pass Ltd., highlights the transformative potential of DPPs:

“Whilst there is no confirmed timetable for EU legislation beyond batteries, DPP implementation is anticipated before 2030. The benefits of DPPs go beyond compliance—they provide a powerful marketing tool. By consolidating information like technical specifications, environmental credentials, and lifecycle updates, DPPs enhance transparency and empower stakeholders to make informed choices. From material sourcing to end-of-life, the journey of a product is documented, supporting reuse, repair, and remanufacturing efforts.”

Pioneering the Future of Sustainable Manufacturing

By partnering with the DFS Group, DigiProd Pass and Technovative Solutions are not only setting a precedent for DPP implementation in the furniture industry but also paving the way for widespread adoption across other industries. This initiative serves as a crucial blueprint for regulators, demonstrating practical strategies for embedding DPPs into manufacturing ecosystems.

About DigiProd Pass and Technovative Solutions

Headquartered in Manchester, both DigiProd Pass Ltd. and Technovative Solutions Ltd. are at the forefront of sustainability-driven technological innovation.

Technovative Solutions has been awarded over 30 EU and UKRI-funded research projects, developing cutting-edge technology-led solutions for environmental responsibility. Notably, its expertise in Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) extends to high-impact initiatives such as the Horizon Europe-funded BASE project (Battery Passport for Resilient Supply Chains and Circular Economy Implementation).

DigiProd Pass Ltd. was established as a specialist division, focused on DPP creation and management across diverse sectors, including furniture, textiles, clothing, and footwear. The company aims to position itself as a key enabler of industry-wide DPP adoption, aligning with global sustainability standards and helping businesses transition towards more circular product lifecycles.

DigiProd Pass Ltd has won the prestigious Netty Awards 2024 in the Tech (Best Blockchain Innovation) category; and shortlisted for the edie Awards 2025 in the newly introduced Product Innovation of the Year: Services and Software category!