The IOTA Foundation has launched a new Digital Product Passport (DPP) prototype aimed at revolutionizing the electronics industry by providing a transparent and traceable record of electronic devices from manufacturing to recycling, according to the IOTA Foundation Blog.

Enhancing Recycling with IOTA Technology

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

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

Why Electronics Need a Passport

Digital Product Passports ensure transparency and traceability throughout the lifecycle of electronic devices, including batteries. The lifecycle stages typically include:

• Raw Material Acquisition: Raw and secondary materials are used to create parts.
• Production: Parts are assembled into devices, each with a unique identifier and comprehensive information sheets.
• Use: Devices may be repaired, upgraded, reassigned, disposed of, or transferred to new owners.
• End-of-Life Treatment: Devices are dismantled for parts, recycled, or disposed of in landfills.

Each stage is linked to documents that authenticate and record events, enhancing the accountability and verifiability of these processes.

Electronics Digital Product Passport Solution Prototype

Developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Catalonia and eReuse, the prototype uses IOTA Smart Contracts to capture crucial data about electronic goods. The DPP tracks the lifecycle of electronic devices from manufacturing to recycling.

The DPP covers various product types, focusing on unique electronic and ICT products.

The Journey of an Electronic Device’s DPP

A fictional narrative illustrates the journey of an electronic device through the Digital Product Passport system:

1. Manufacturing: A manufacturer, TechMakers Inc., produces laptops, each 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: DistribuTronics, a distribution company, records proof of purchase and invoices into the DPP system, updating essential distribution details via DeviceHub.
3. Retail: ElectroMart, a retail chain, enables consumers to access their device’s DPP using a QR code. Consumers can view detailed information about their device through the DPP Viewer webpage.
4. Maintenance and Refurbishment: Repair services like FixItTech update the DPP to reflect new configurations. Refurbishment companies like RenewElectro issue new DPPs for upgraded devices.
5. Recycling: EcoRecycle processes laptops at the end of their life, marking them as e-waste and recording proof of recycling on the blockchain. The DPP Search Engine allows verifiers to confirm the recycling proof.

Ensuring Trust and Transparency

An auditing firm, GreenCert Auditors, verifies the recycling proofs, 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, promoting accountability and responsible repair, reuse, and recycling practices for a more circular economy.

Image source: Shutterstock