Digital product passport

Helland Møbler – a forerunner meeting the EU’s DPP requirements.

Product traceability has gained increasing importance in the furniture industry in recent years, and several public procurement processes now set specific requirements for documented traceability.

Why do we need a digital product passport?

In the “European Green Deal”, the EU Commission has set the goal for Europe to become carbon neutral by 2050. An important part of this effort is to reduce the extraction of the Earth’s resources. Digital product passports are designed to make it easier for consumers to make sustainable choices, while also helping products become more circular and have a longer lifespan. This is achieved by making products easier to repair, reuse, redesign, or recycle. When consumers have a clear overview of what a piece of furniture is made from, it becomes easier to make informed decisions. The product passport consolidates all relevant information in one place, making the process less resource-intensive.

Who uses a digital product passports?

For you as a consumer, the product passport will be a tool that makes it easier to compare the properties of several products. The manufacturer gains trust and at the same time the passport makes it more difficult for the manufacturer to greenwash the product and its reputation. Which products does it apply to? Almost all products except food, medicine and animal feed. These product groups already have strict requirements for documentation and traceability. Batteries are the first product group to have the requirement for a product passport introduced, and it is estimated that the rules will come into force in 2026. By 2030, the aim is for all product groups to use product passports.

Helland is developing its digital product passport

Although the goal of the product passport is defined in the EU Commission’s “The European Green Deal”, there is still some way to go before a fully developed solution is in place. Presenting data from various reports and systems requires significant development work.

In the meantime, Helland Møbler has developed a digital solution in which each product is labeled with a unique tag containing a QR code and number. By scanning the code with a mobile camera, users gain access to valuable information, including model, fabric selection, exploded diagrams, parts lists, assembly instructions with step-by-step component replacement, maintenance guides, quality reports, and warranties.

The functionality is continuously being developed as we gain more experience with user needs. Helland launched this solution in Q1 2022 and continues to enhance the portal based on customer requests and feedback.

The documentation may vary from model to model. If you do not have access to a camera, you can
follow this link and enter the number manually.

The image below: After you have scanned the code, a landing page with information about the product will appear.

Advantages of digital product passport

A digital product passport consolidates all relevant information about a piece of furniture in one place, including materials, certificates, warranties, maintenance and assembly instructions, as well as spare parts. This makes it easy to track products, which is especially useful in large buildings such as hospitals, schools, or office complexes, where furniture may be moved between floors or departments. In case of a defect or maintenance need—such as a gas lift on a recliner stopping working—information about parts lists and repairs is readily available, allowing maintenance to be carried out quickly and efficiently. At the same time, the product passport provides consumers with an overview of material choices and environmental impact, making it easier to make sustainable decisions and helping ensure that furniture can be repaired, reused, or recycled. In this way, the digital product passport enhances usability, circularity, and trust in the manufacturer.