Guide · Implementation

How to choose a Digital Product Passport platform for your SME

Six things worth checking before choosing a DPP provider — from regulatory fit and existing product data to identity level, European standards and the real cost.

By Mathias SlabbinckLast updated 16 October 2026

Six things worth checking before choosing a DPP provider — particularly if you're a smaller manufacturer without a dedicated IT or compliance department.

Over the past few years, I've spoken with many manufacturers about Digital Product Passports. One thing I've noticed is how differently companies approach the subject.

Some believe they need to replace their ERP system first. Others assume they must map their entire supply chain before they can create a passport. And many are understandably reluctant to invest while regulatory requirements are still evolving.

Meanwhile, the number of DPP providers keeps growing. Some specialise in supply chain traceability, others in compliance, sustainability reporting or digital product identities.

With so many providers offering seemingly similar solutions, how do you see the wood for the trees? Here are six questions I would ask, particularly if you're a smaller manufacturer without a dedicated IT or compliance department.

Question	What you are really checking
1. Does it fit your regulatory requirements?	Sector knowledge, and a clear line between existing and anticipated obligations
2. Can you use the data you already have?	Import from ERP, spreadsheets and documents — and what happens when data changes
3. Do you really need full traceability?	Whether you are buying a broader traceability project you may not need
4. Does it support the right identity level?	Model, batch or item — today, and room to go further later
5. Will it meet European standards?	Interoperability, DPP service-provider requirements, export and continuity
6. What will it really cost?	Pricing on your real volumes, plus the internal workload

1. Does the platform fit your actual regulatory requirements?

The EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) provides the framework for Digital Product Passports, but specific requirements differ by product category.

A textile manufacturer may need something quite different from a battery producer. And some requirements are still being developed.

Look for a provider who understands your sector, can distinguish between existing obligations and anticipated ones, and doesn't try to sell you functionality you may never need.

Be wary of anyone promising full compliance with regulations that haven't been finalised.

Read: what is a Digital Product Passport? →

2. Can you use the product data you already have?

Most manufacturers already have much of their product information in ERP systems, spreadsheets, technical documents or supplier files.

A good DPP platform should help connect and structure that information rather than require you to start again.

Ask whether the provider can import your existing data, how much manual preparation is needed and what happens when information changes.

A useful test: give the provider a sample of your actual product data and ask them to create a working passport.

You'll learn more from that than from a polished demonstration.

Read: why creating a DPP is a product-data problem →

3. Do you really need full supply chain traceability?

Supply chain traceability and Digital Product Passports are related, but they're not the same thing.

Traceability can be important for substantiating origin claims, managing supplier risks or meeting specific legal requirements. But the ESPR does not impose a universal obligation to map every supplier and subcontractor before creating a DPP.

Ask providers which data is legally required for your products, which information would be useful for other purposes and whether their solution requires a broader traceability project.

There's nothing wrong with investing in traceability. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.

4. Does the platform support the right level of product identification?

Not every DPP needs to identify an individual physical item. Depending on the applicable requirements and your business objectives, a passport may be associated with a product model, batch or individual item.

That distinction can have a significant impact on cost and functionality.

For example, if you want to offer repair, authentication or resale services, individual product identities may be valuable.

At Quifactum, we see this with Filou & Friends, a Belgian children's clothing brand whose Filou Forever programme uses individual product identities to support garment take-back and resale.

Even if you only need model-level passports today, consider whether your platform can support more detailed identification later.

Read: model, batch or item-level DPP? →

5. Will your provider meet European standards and future requirements?

A Digital Product Passport isn't just a QR code linking to a web page.

The information behind it must remain accessible, interoperable and secure for the period required by the applicable legislation.

The EU is developing a harmonised framework of technical standards covering product identifiers, data carriers, data exchange, interoperability, access rights and authentication.

Ask whether your provider follows the relevant European DPP standards and how it plans to implement them as regulatory requirements become applicable.

There is another important consideration: the role of the Digital Product Passport Service Provider (DPPSP).

Under the ESPR framework, DPP service providers will have specific responsibilities, including requirements concerning the availability and management of passport data. Further rules are expected to clarify the conditions under which providers will operate.

Ask your prospective provider whether it intends to meet the applicable DPPSP requirements once these are established.

Also consider what happens if you change providers:

Can you export your data?
Will your product identifiers remain usable?
How is business continuity organised?

These questions may seem less urgent than getting your first passports online, but they are fundamental to choosing a reliable technology partner.

Explore security, interoperability & portability →

6. What will it really cost?

DPP pricing models vary considerably. Some providers charge per product model, others per passport, per individual item or through a subscription.

There may also be onboarding, integration, customisation or hosting costs.

Ask for a quotation based on your actual product volumes, not just a generic price list.

And don't forget the internal workload. A low-cost platform that requires extensive manual data entry may turn out to be considerably more expensive than expected.

Ideally, you should be able to start with a limited pilot and expand as your needs become clearer.

See how Quifactum pricing works →

A final thought

For most SMEs, choosing a DPP provider shouldn't mean embarking on a major IT transformation.

Look for a platform that works with your existing systems, understands your regulatory obligations and gives you room to grow.

And before signing a long-term contract, ask the provider to demonstrate what it can achieve with one of your real products.

It's a simple test. But it will tell you a great deal about whether the platform is right for your business.

Quifactum helps manufacturers turn existing product information into persistent digital product identities, supporting compliance and applications such as repair, take-back and resale.

Book a demo with one of your real products →

Also published on Medium ↗.

Published by Quifactum. Last updated 16 October 2026. Regulatory content is reviewed against primary EU sources before publication.

Related resources

Guide · Product dataYour product data already exists. So why is creating a DPP still difficult?Most companies already have much of the information they need for a Digital Product Passport. The real challenge is finding it, connecting it, validating it and keeping it up to date.Guide · Product dataModel, batch or item-level DPP? Choosing the right granularityShould a Digital Product Passport identify a product model, a production batch or every individual physical item? The answer depends on both regulation and what you want the product identity to do.Guide · RegulationWhat is a Digital Product Passport?A practical guide to the EU Digital Product Passport, how it works, what it means for companies — and why the digital identity behind it can become useful far beyond compliance.

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