Business strategies to overcome drivers and barriers to the implementation of the Digital Product Passport

Achieving a circular, climate-neutral economy is a key global sustainability goal, with the EU leading efforts through the Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan. The Digital Product Passport offers a solution to improve transparency, traceability and material reuse across product life cycles. This study examines factors promoting or hindering DPP adoption in the EU, proposing strategic recommendations to address barriers and leverage drivers for successful integration into organizational and regulatory frameworks. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining the Delphi method with Total Interpretive Structural Modeling. This approach enabled both qualitative and quantitative analyses, with data collected through a structured questionnaire and nine expert interviews. Key findings revealed regulatory pressures, digitalization, and circular economy support as critical drivers, while high costs, lack of skills, and data standardization issues pose significant barriers. The study mapped these interconnections, identifying strategic intervention points and recommending investments in digital infrastructure, training programs, and standardized data protocols for seamless DPP integration. While the research enhances understanding of DPP implementation, its focus on the European context and reliance on a limited expert sample are noted as limitations. Future studies should expand to global and sectoral perspectives and explore broader structural dynamics. This thesis highlights the DPP’s transformative potential as a practical tool for fostering sustainability and resilience, representing a critical step in advancing global development goals and circular economy principles.