Brought to you by Aljaž Rožič from RECOSI
As demand for sustainable and transparent purchasing grows, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are poised to become a cornerstone of responsible consumer electronics. Especially in the refurbished Information and Communication Technology (ICT) market, DPPs—and their integration with Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) data—provide consumers with detailed product insights, fostering trust, sustainability, and value.
Building Consumer Trust Through Transparency
Buying refurbished electronics has often involved guesswork: Is the device reliable? Was it properly repaired? DPPs directly address these concerns by providing an accessible digital record of the product’s lifecycle.
Typical data includes:
- Original specs and manufacturer details
- Service and repair history
- Performance and diagnostic testing results
- Certifications and compliance reports
A report by the World Economic Forum emphasises that transparency and traceability are vital for fostering consumer trust in the circular economy, particularly regarding electronics.
Enhancing Value Through Lifecycle Information
DPPs also help consumers recognise the true value of a refurbished device—not only in terms of pricing but also regarding its lifecycle and usability. When combined with the PEF methodology, these digital passports can highlight the environmental benefits of purchasing refurbished items over new ones.
For instance, Back Market, a global refurbished electronics marketplace, estimates that purchasing a refurbished smartphone can save over 78% of the carbon footprint compared to buying a new one. Integrating such data into DPPs quantifies environmental impact and adds measurable value for the consumer.
Supporting Sustainable Consumer Decisions
As sustainability becomes a major purchasing driver, DPPs enhanced with PEF data provide consumers with:
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions
- Comparisons of the environmental impact of new versus refurbished products
- Access to repair and recycling options
According to Greenpeace USA, extending the lifespan of a smartphone by just one year has the potential to reduce its carbon footprint by 30%. This form of lifecycle extension is exactly what DPPs help document and promote.
Likewise, organisations like the Circular Electronics Partnership advocate for universal standards to document product use cycles and sustainability metrics—objectives that align with DPPs and PEF.
Strengthening the Refurbished ICT Market
DPPs benefit both the industry and consumers by standardising product information.
- Reduces fraud and counterfeit risk
- Improves customer service and warranty handling
- Elevates trust in certified refurbishers
Industry leaders such as iFixit advocate for the right to repair and access to product data. Their repairability scores, used by manufacturers like Fairphone, could be integrated into DPPs to enhance buyer education. As global regulatory initiatives expand—from the EU Ecodesign Regulation to California’s Right to Repair Act—refurbishers that adopt DPPs early will have a competitive advantage.
Conclusion
Digital Product Passports, supported by Product Environmental Footprint data, are transforming how consumers purchase refurbished ICT. With transparency, measurable sustainability, and certified trust, DPPs enable users to make informed, eco-conscious decisions. As adoption expands globally, DPPs promise not only to support responsible buying but also to drive the future of circular, low-impact digital technology.