Why Spreadsheets Won't Be Enough for the EU Digital Product Passport

Many small manufacturers manage their product data in Excel sheets, PDFs, or shared folders.
That works for now — but it won't meet the requirements of the EU's upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP).

Here's why spreadsheets won't be enough.

1. The data requirements are growing fast

Each product will need dozens of data fields — materials, suppliers, certifications, recyclability, and more.
The EU requires these details in standardized, machine-readable formats (GS1 Digital Link, CIRPASS), which spreadsheets can't produce automatically.

2. Collaboration across suppliers is messy

You'll depend on multiple suppliers, each using different templates and versions.
Merging that data manually invites errors — and errors can mean non-compliance.

3. You'll need audit trails and version history

Authorities and buyers will expect proof that your product data is current and verified.
That means timestamps, document history, and verification logs — all hard to manage in static spreadsheets.

4. The DPP is a living digital record

Each product's passport will be linked to a public QR code, updated in real time.
You'll need a dynamic database, not a static Excel file.

5. The cost of waiting

Converting scattered spreadsheets into DPP-compliant formats at the last minute could delay exports or sales.
Starting early helps you stay compliant and confident.

The smarter alternative

Modern compliance tools are replacing spreadsheets with centralized, automated dashboards that handle supplier data, validation, and QR passport generation.

That's exactly what Tracebase is being built to do.