Digital product passports in practice
From data to business value for the retail industry. This project aims to develop a free national education package that helps the retail sector navigate new requirements for Digital Product Passports (DPP).
AI-generated image.
About this project
The retail industry is facing one of its most significant transformations as new EU regulations regarding Digital Product Passports (DPP) soon become a reality. This project has been launched to ensure that Swedish retailers have the right conditions to meet these requirements. By bringing together experts in retail, standardization, and technology, work is now beginning to create a practical, video-based training program. The goal is to provide all retailers—regardless of size or technical maturity—with clear guidance on how to actually handle their product data within the new regulatory framework.
Would you like to become a pilot company, receive coaching, and test the training?
During 2026, the training materials will be developed and validated. AI Sweden is now looking for 5–10 companies within the retail sector to participate as pilot companies and test the content in practice during autumn (Q3 2026).
As a pilot company, you will receive free expert coaching from Sigma and Smartr to develop your first Digital Product Passport—while also contributing to the further development of the training.
Participation involves an estimated commitment of approximately four half-days during the autumn, including testing training modules and taking part in coaching sessions.
AI Sweden partners are given priority.
Challenges
Starting next year, new EU legislation will come into effect requiring newly manufactured goods, such as textiles and electronics, to be equipped with a DPP. These passports must contain traceable information regarding the product's origin, components, and recycling processes, among other details.
Many Swedish retail companies—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—currently lack the internal capacity and systems necessary to collect and structure this data. Without the right support, DPP risks becoming a heavy administrative burden rather than the strategic asset it has the potential to be.
The main challenge underlying the project is a significant knowledge gap. Many companies are aware of the upcoming requirements in the ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation), but few have the internal processes required to map, structure, and verify the necessary data. Global value chains are complex, making data collection resource-intensive.
Collecting and structuring data from global and complex value chains is a massive challenge, especially since many retailers do not own their own production facilities but instead source from multiple different suppliers. Through this initiative, we are shifting the focus from what a digital product passport is to how a retailer can concretely and systematically build their process for generating structured data.
Josephine Darlington
Josephine Darlington, Project Manager at AI Sweden
Project purpose
The purpose of the project is to translate complex legal requirements and technical standards into simple, practical steps that work in a retailer's everyday reality. By focusing on pure knowledge transfer rather than technology development, we want to help companies close the existing knowledge gap.
The goal is to develop and distribute a free national education package that enables retail companies to move from reactive regulatory compliance to using data as a driver for circular business models and increased competitiveness.
Expected outcomes
The project is working toward the following goals:
- A national education package: Validated digital modules covering everything from the regulatory landscape to practical data structuring.
- Increased industry readiness: Ensuring the Swedish retail sector has the competence required to meet EU requirements on time.
- A scalable knowledge bank: All materials will be made available for free via AI Sweden channels and Svensk Handel to reach a wide national audience.
- A foundation for innovation: Helping companies organize their data in a way that makes it possible to utilize AI and other digital tools in the future.
Facts
Funding: The project is funded by Hakon Swensons-stiftelsen with a budget of 1,000,000 SEK. Additionally, GS1 Sweden, Svensk Handel, and Mandaley Group (as a pilot retailer) will provide in-kind contributions of their time and expertise
Project management: AI Sweden (Lindholmen Science Park AB)
Project participants: GS1 Sweden, Högskolan i Halmstad (4plusventures), Sigma Technology Insight Solutions, Smartr and Svensk Handel.
Participating as pilot-retailers: Mandaley Group (Soft Goat & Malina). More to be announced.
Project period: March 2026 to February 2027
For more information about this project, please reach out to:
Related content
Educational initiative equips Swedish retailers for new EU requirements
AIRA: Educating future leaders in AI-era retail
New training program to strengthen retail sector’s capabilities
Northern Europe AI Upskilling Initiative
