News and changes
New implementing acts, guidelines and positions of supervisory authorities — and what they mean in practice.
What changes this year in supervision of the aluminium product passport?
An overview of what is already established about supervision of the aluminium product passport, what remains open, and what it means for your company above all: preparation can already begin, enforcement is not yet on the agenda.
Read more →The most common mistake when informing staff about the aluminium product passport
Many companies only inform their quality manager about the aluminium product passport, while it is precisely the people on the shop floor who must keep the data up to date. This article shows where this goes wrong and how you can prevent it.
Read more →What documents do you need if you import aluminium from outside the EU?
If you are importing aluminium from outside the EU, you will need proof of who supplied the information and who is responsible for it, in addition to the usual documents. This article lists those additional documents.
Read more →How long does it take to have your aluminium product passport checked under GDPR?
A GDPR check of the aluminium product passport has no fixed deadline in the regulation; the processing time depends on how quickly you know which data will go into it and who will assess it.
Read more →What does it cost to brief your staff on the aluminium product passport?
There is no fixed amount for briefing employees on the aluminium product passport; the costs depend on the size of your team, the format you choose and how often you need to repeat it.
Read more →Does the aluminium product passport also apply to wholesalers and distributors?
Whether the product passport also applies to your company depends on your role in the supply chain: those who only resell often have different obligations than those who place the aluminium on the market themselves.
Read more →What is a supplier in the aluminium product passport regulation?
The term 'supplier' is increasingly appearing in discussions around the digital product passport. This article explains what it means, how the term relates to manufacturer and importer, and why that matters for your business.
Read more →What happens if the QR code of the aluminium product passport is missing?
Without the QR data carrier, the digital product passport cannot be consulted on the market. This article describes what the regulation says about this and what market surveillance looks at.
Read more →Do you need to ask your software provider different questions if you sell in multiple EU countries?
The digital product passport itself is the same across the EU, but if you sell in multiple countries, you must arrange separately with your software provider how language, supervision and data storage are set up per country.
Read more →Can I arrange the link to the aluminium product passport myself?
An overview of what you as a company can provide yourself for the aluminium product passport, and at which point the technical link usually lies outside your own capabilities.
Read more →Do you need to adapt all your procurement terms to the aluminium product passport this year?
For most companies, nothing will necessarily change in procurement terms this year, but those who review supplier agreements now would be wise to take into account the coming product passport.
Read more →The most common mistake in conversation with your software provider about the aluminium product passport
Many companies think their software provider handles the accuracy of the product passport. The regulation places that responsibility with the provider itself, not with the party that supplies the system.
Read more →Which documents do you need for the digital product passport of aluminium profiles?
An overview of the documents required for the digital product passport of aluminium profiles, with special attention to the detail most often overlooked with profiles: post-extrusion processing.
Read more →How long does it take to gather supplier data for the aluminium product passport?
There is no fixed deadline for gathering supplier data, but practice shows a pattern: it often takes longer than expected and gets stuck at specific points.
Read more →What does it cost to adapt your contracts to the aluminium product passport?
There is no fixed rate for adapting contracts to the aluminium product passport: the amount depends on the number of contracts, who draws them up, and how much customization is involved.
Read more →Does the aluminium product passport apply to small batches or custom-made products?
Many companies that produce small series or custom-made products think the obligation does not apply to them. However, the regulation does not look at the batch size, but at the product and your role in the supply chain.
Read more →What falls under the term 'aluminium' in the product passport regulation?
The regulation refers to 'aluminium', but which semi-finished products fall under it has not yet been fully determined. This article explains what has and has not been established, and why the distinction between primary and secondary aluminium is central to this.
Read more →What happens if you do not update the aluminium product passport after a change?
A product passport is not a snapshot: if the alloy, production process or supplier changes, that must be reflected in the passport. What the consequences are if that does not happen is explained plainly here.
Read more →Does the aluminium product passport apply when you sell outside the EU?
For those who also sell aluminium outside the EU: an overview of what the regulation does and does not govern once a product leaves the EU market, and what remains undetermined regarding this.
Read more →Can I arrange the QR data carrier for the aluminium product passport myself?
Creating a QR code is not the problem; ensuring it points to the correct, up-to-date data for ten years is. This article shows which part you can do yourself and which part is usually outsourced.
Read more →How do you see that something is changing with the aluminium product passport this year?
For most companies, the obligation itself is not changing this year, but there are signals that indicate a direction. This article explains what those are and what they do and do not mean.
Read more →The most common mistake: confusing the aluminium product passport with CE marking
Many companies believe that a CE declaration will also cover the digital product passport in the future, or vice versa. This article explains why that is not the case and what the difference means in practice.
Read more →What pieces do you need for the digital product passport for aluminium packaging?
An overview of the data required to compile the digital product passport for aluminium packaging, and why precision is particularly important for thin, mass-produced materials.
Read more →How long does it take to correct an error in the aluminium product passport?
No fixed legal deadline determines how quickly an error in the product passport must be corrected; the practical lead time depends on who supplies the source data and how the passport is technically structured.
Read more →What does it cost to have your aluminium product passport hosted for ten years?
The cost of ten years of hosting for a digital aluminium product passport depends on the size of your product range, the complexity of the data and how often it changes — not on a fixed amount per product.
Read more →Does company size matter for the aluminium product passport?
It is not the size of your company that determines whether the digital product passport for aluminium applies to you, but the role you play in the supply chain. This article explains where that difference comes from.
Read more →Does the digital product passport for aluminium contain personal data?
An explanation of which data are included in the aluminium product passport, when the GDPR plays a role, and where you can find that information.
Read more →What are the consequences if the data in the aluminium product passport is incorrect?
Incorrect or incomplete data in the product passport affect more than just the passport itself: they have implications for liability, customer relationships and the trust of the supervisory authority.
Read more →Which supervisory authority checks the aluminium product passport when I export abroad?
The content of the digital product passport is the same throughout the EU, but who actually checks it in practice varies per Member State. This article explains how that supervision is organised and what it means when you deliver across borders.
Read more →Can I manage the aluminium product passport myself?
You can often prepare the basic data yourself, but maintaining the passport over many years requires different considerations. This article shows where that boundary lies.
Read more →Has the date for the aluminium product passport changed this year?
The entry date for the aluminium product passport is not yet fixed: the delegated act is expected in 2027. This article explains what is and is not changing this year, and what that means for you.
Read more →The most common mistake in the contract with your software supplier for the aluminium product passport
Many companies arrange the technical side with their software supplier, but not who is responsible for maintaining the data and what happens if the supplier stops. That is the mistake that comes up most often.
Read more →What documents do you need for the product passport of cast aluminium components?
For cast aluminium components, one document on top of the usual documentation list makes the difference: proof of the origin and composition of the alloy used.
Read more →How long does it take to connect your software to the aluminium product passport?
No legal deadline, but a practical process: from your first conversation with your software provider to a working connection. This article shows which phases are involved and where companies in practice experience delays.
Read more →What does it cost to connect your software to the digital product passport for aluminium?
An overview of the cost items that come into play when your ERP, PIM or inventory system needs to supply data for the digital product passport, and what determines the amount in your situation.
Read more →Does the product passport also apply if aluminium is a component of my product?
If your company processes aluminium profiles, castings or packaging aluminium into a larger product, it is not automatically clear whether the passport applies to the aluminium component or to the end product. This article explains where that boundary lies and what remains uncertain.
Read more →What is your role in the chain for the digital product passport for aluminium?
The regulation distinguishes between manufacturer, importer, authorised representative and distributor, and each role determines what you must provide and who is listed as the responsible party in the passport.
Read more →What are the consequences if I do not arrange the digital product passport for aluminium?
An overview of what can happen if a mandatory product passport is missing: from monitoring by the market surveillance authority to commercial consequences in the supply chain, and what is already relevant today.
Read more →Does the digital product passport for aluminium differ per EU country?
The ESPR is one European regulation, but that does not mean everything proceeds identically everywhere. This article shows what remains the same and what can differ per Member State.
Read more →Can I prepare the digital product passport for aluminium myself?
You can do it yourself, provided you record data in a traceable manner and keep it available for ten years. This article shows where the line lies between handling it yourself and outsourcing.
Read more →What changes this year in the rules for the aluminium product passport?
An overview of what does and does not change this year in the journey towards the digital product passport for aluminium, and why a shifted date need not be a surprise.
Read more →What is the most common mistake companies make when submitting data for the aluminium product passport?
The most common mistake is submitting general product information instead of traceable, batch-specific data. This makes a passport vulnerable as soon as someone checks it later.
Read more →What documents do you need for the digital product passport for aluminium?
An overview of the documents collected for the aluminium product passport, with particular attention to the most challenging component: the substantiation of recycled content.
Read more →How long does it take to draw up a digital product passport for aluminium?
The turnaround time depends mainly on how complete your own data and that of your suppliers already are — not on a fixed statutory deadline.
Read more →What does a digital product passport for aluminium cost?
There is no fixed price for the digital product passport for aluminium; the amount depends on the number of product groups, the state of your data and how many links in the chain provide data.
Read more →Does the digital product passport for aluminium apply to my company?
Not every company working with aluminium will be affected by the digital product passport. This article explains which situations are and are not covered by the regulation.
Read more →Who must submit the digital product passport for aluminium?
Not every company in the aluminium chain has the same role: this article explains who must have the digital product passport drawn up and when that responsibility shifts from manufacturer to importer.
Read more →The European digital product passport for aluminium brings significant changes for companies in the metals industry. This regulation is designed to promote greater transparency and sustainability in the aluminium chain, but also requires substantial adjustments to your organisation.
The introduction of the digital product passport means that you must henceforth register and share detailed information about the origin, composition and environmental impact of your aluminium. This applies to all stages of production, from raw material extraction to final product. For many companies, this represents a considerable administrative change requiring new processes and systems.
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in managing this new obligation. AI tools can automatically collect, validate and provide your data in the correct format. This not only saves time but also reduces errors and helps you comply with the regulation quickly. With AI, for example, you can automatically trace where your materials come from and how they move through the production chain.
Companies that think about AI implementation now will have an advantage later. The technology makes it possible to process large amounts of complex information efficiently. This is essential, as the product passport requires real-time data and accurate reporting.
The regulation will be gradually introduced. It is wise to map out your processes now and examine how AI can help your company. This way you will be well prepared for what is to come.