IOTA Launches Digital Product Passport for Electronics

According to the IOTA Foundation blog, the IOTA Foundation has launched a new Digital Product Passport (DPP) prototype that aims to revolutionize the electronics industry by providing a transparent and traceable record of electronic devices from manufacturing to recycling.

Enhancing Recycling Using IOTA Technology

As part of the European Blockchain Pre-Commercial Procurement funded by the European Commission, IOTA has developed two pre-commercial applications for DPPs focusing on different circular economy scenarios. The goal is to leverage blockchain technology for data traceability and auditability in the electronics sector. The prototypes ensure data integrity, regulatory compliance, and support sustainable recycling practices.

The European Union has proposed a digital product passport as an important component of its sustainability and circularity initiative. The tool aims to help companies, authorities and consumers share and access product-related information more transparently and efficiently.

Why do electronic devices need a passport?

The Digital Product Passport ensures transparency and traceability throughout the life cycle of electronic devices, including batteries. Life cycle stages typically include:

• Obtaining raw materials: Raw materials and auxiliary materials are used to make parts.
• production: Each part is assembled into a device with a unique identifier and a comprehensive information sheet.
• use: Equipment can be repaired, upgraded, reassigned, scrapped, or transferred to a new owner.
• End-of-life care: The equipment is dismantled into parts, recycled, or disposed of in landfills.

Each step is linked to documentation that authenticates and records the event, strengthening the accountability and verifiability of this process.

Electronic Digital Product Passport Solution Prototype

Developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Catalonia and eReuse, the prototype uses IOTA smart contracts to collect important data about electronic products. DPP tracks the life cycle of electronic devices from manufacturing to recycling.

DPP covers a wide range of product types, with a particular focus on special electronics and ICT products.

DPP Journey of Electronic Devices

The virtual narrative describes the journey of an electronic device through a digital product passport system.

1. operation: The manufacturer, TechMakers Inc., produces laptops, each of which is assigned a unique chassis ID and product hardware ID. Using the DeviceHub application, a DPP is created for each laptop, capturing comprehensive details. This data is notarized on the IOTA Layer 2 smart contract chain.
2. distribution: As a distribution company, DistribuTronics records purchase documentation and invoices in the DPP system and updates essential distribution details via DeviceHub.
3. sleeve: ElectroMart, a retail chain, allows consumers to access the DPP of their devices using a QR code. Consumers can view detailed information about their devices via the DPP Viewer webpage.
4. Maintenance and repairs: Repair services like FixItTech will update the DPP to reflect the new configuration. Refurbishment companies like RenewElectro will issue a new DPP for the upgraded device.
5. Recycling: EcoRecycle processes end-of-life laptops, marks them as e-waste, and records proof of recycling on the blockchain. Through the DPP search engine, verifiers can verify proof of recycling.

Ensuring trust and transparency

GreenCert Auditors, an auditing company, verifies the proof of recycling, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the recycling data. The entire DPP system leverages IOTA’s distributed ledger technology (DLT) to ensure that all device-related data is notarized, immutable, and verifiable.

The Electronics DPP solution prototype represents a groundbreaking approach to managing the lifecycle of electronic devices and promoting responsible repair, reuse and recycling practices for a more circular economy.

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