Working Group 3 (hereinafter referred to as “WG3”) of the Council for the Promotion of Resource Recycling (Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter referred to as “RRC”), together with participating companies, has launched a data linkage demonstration (hereinafter referred to as the “demonstration”) with a view to the social implementation of the Digital Product Passport (hereinafter referred to as “DPP”). This demonstration aims to realize a DPP that connects information throughout the product life cycle and shares reliable product information across the boundaries of companies and systems. In the future, we are also considering the use of “data space” technology that enables secure data sharing while protecting data sovereignty, and advanced companies with DPP-related technologies and international standardization experts will work together to promote it.

■ Social trends related to the DPP
In recent years, as the transition to a sustainable economy has become a global challenge, there has been a growing focus on DPPs that increase information transparency throughout the product lifecycle. DPP is a system that digitally records and shares information on the entire product life cycle, from raw material procurement to manufacturing, use, disposal, and recycling after disposal. The aim is to ensure that all parties, including consumers, understand the environmental nature of the product before making a choice. The European Union (EU), which is leading this movement, implemented the Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products (ESPR) in July 2024, gradually mandating the implementation of DPPs for products distributed within the EU. The target products are expected to be gradually expanded from around 2026, and compliance with DPP has become an urgent issue for Japanese companies involved in the supply chain.

■Background of this demonstration and what we aim to do
In response to these international trends, WG3 of the RRC is working on the theme of “Building a Japanese Standard DPP System and Creating Advanced Use Cases”. For the social implementation of DPP, it is essential to maintain the independence of the applications provided by individual companies (competitive domains) and to link the necessary information throughout the supply chain. As a first step, this demonstration aims to build a model that realizes data linkage while maintaining the competitiveness of each company. As a means of achieving this, we are focusing on “data space” technology that enables secure data sharing while protecting data sovereignty.

■Overview of this demonstration
●Main initiatives:
Data such as the origin of recycled materials and environmental impact held by multiple companies are linked in a virtual data space to generate DPP. We use DPP data to convey the appeal of products made with recycled materials to consumers in an easy-to-understand manner. We will also conduct a questionnaire survey of all companies involved in the resource recycling supply chain.

●Verification points:
・Reliability and traceability of DPP data (use of blockchain, etc.)
・Effectiveness of business processes through the introduction of DPP
・Effect of DPP on increasing the added value of recycled materials
・Awareness of DPP by companies and the need for widespread use

●Promotion system:
This demonstration will be promoted by experts and companies in various fields that are essential to the realization of the DPP by utilizing their respective knowledge.
・Resource Recycling/DPP Platform: digglue Co., Ltd., TBM Co., Ltd.
・Data Space Technology: RadarLab Inc.
・Blockchain technology: chiantope Co., Ltd., Consortium for the Promotion of Information Collaboration between Companies
・Molded product manufacturer/brand owner: 𠮷Kawakuni Industry Co., Ltd.
・International standardization: Yoshiaki Ichikawa (Project Professor, Institute for Social Infrastructure, Shinshu University)
・Reporting to relevant ministries and agencies/policy recommendations: Council for the Promotion of Resource Recycling

●Future prospects:
The results of this demonstration will be compiled into standard specifications and specific use cases for the Japanese version of DPP through the RRC, and will be widely disseminated to government-related projects and industry. Through this, we will support Japanese companies in responding to DPPs, and aim to strengthen Japan’s industrial competitiveness in the field of resource recycling and contribute to international rule-making.

■Request for cooperation in the DPP demonstration questionnaire
To make this demonstration truly valuable to the industry, we would like to hear your honest opinions.
・Survey content: Awareness of DPP, expected value, challenges to implementation, business potential, etc.
・Utilization of results: The opinions received will be reflected in the future WG3 activity policy and recommendations to the industry as statistical information.
・Future collaboration: Companies that respond will be given priority to provide detailed information about this demonstration and to participate in additional demonstrations.

[Questionnaire overview]
Target: All companies involved in the resource recycling supply chain (non-RRC members are also welcome)
Duration: Approximately 8-10 minutes
Answer deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025
Answer Form: https://forms.gle/MBXXEU9kr1KnhAk5A