Towards dynamic digital product passport: The approach for food sector

Abstract

Digital Product Passport is a digital tool, that collects product related information across its lifecycle and value chain and allows accessing it by relevant actors. Although food has been currently excluded from the ongoing legislation efforts at EU level, there are many potential advantages related to digital product passports implementation in food sector: enhanced traceability resulting in increased confidence in terms of food safety, facilitated auditability, improved transparency along the supply chain, facilitation of informed decision making resulting in healthier and more environmentally friendly choices. Those are even of greater importance, when it comes to organic and geographic indication food assets, which are especially vulnerable to fraud and adulterations. The paper presents ongoing work on the conceptual development of dynamic Digital Product Passport for organic/geographic indication products, which is taking place in parallel with technical development within a mobile application. The main characteristics forming the basis of the implementation (dynamic updates, consultations with stakeholders, data content) are presented and analysed in the context of EU legislation and likely environmental and health benefits resulting from implementation of the tool for organic and geographic indication food assets. Challenges faced and approaches developed to overcome them are also discussed and next steps explained.