Overview
EN 18221:2026 is a European standard developed by CEN that defines comprehensive requirements for the decentralized data storage, secure archiving, and guaranteed data persistence of digital product passports (DPPs). Digital product passports are digital records tracking a product’s key characteristics, ensuring vital information remains accessible and reliable throughout a product’s lifecycle. This standard plays a crucial role in supporting market surveillance, regulatory compliance, and the long-term accessibility of product data. It is particularly aligned with sustainability, circular economy principles, and conforming to EU ecodesign requirements.
Key Topics
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Decentralized Data Storage: The standard specifies that digital product passport data must be managed using decentralized architecture. Economic operators or qualified service providers are responsible for maintaining accurate, up-to-date, and accessible product data.
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Archiving and Data Lifecycle:
- All changes to the digital product passport are securely archived, creating a traceable historical record.
- Archived data is crucial for regulatory oversight, audit trails, and monitoring product compliance.
- Archived versions must ensure data integrity and remain accessible throughout the legally mandated lifetime.
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Data Persistence:
- DPP data must remain available even if the original economic operator (manufacturer, importer, etc.) ceases operation.
- Back-up digital product passport service providers are required to store and make data accessible for the defined product passport lifetime.
- Replication processes must ensure data redundancy and seamless transition of responsibilities.
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Replication and Back-up Strategies:
- Continuous and secure replication of DPPs between primary operators and back-up service providers is mandated.
- Replication must be performed over secure, authenticated channels.
- Standardized APIs or other mutually agreed secure mechanisms can be used for data replication.
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Additional Digital Documentation:
- Supporting materials such as instructions or certificates must be accessible through the DPP and be downloadable for users.
- Both main and back-up providers are responsible for storing and granting access to this documentation.
Applications
EN 18221:2026 has a range of practical applications across industry sectors and regulatory environments:
- Regulatory Compliance: Supports conformance with EU regulations on ecodesign and market surveillance by ensuring data remains accessible and auditable.
- Sustainability and Circular Economy: Facilitates traceability and transparency in product lifecycles, supporting recycling, reuse, and sustainable practices.
- Market Surveillance: Empowers authorities to monitor products in the market with access to historical and current product data.
- Business Continuity: Ensures critical product data is preserved regardless of changes to the status of manufacturers or suppliers.
- Consumer Information: Enhances transparency by providing verifiable product and compliance data throughout the lifecycle.
Related Standards
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 2024/1781: Lays down ecodesign requirements for digital product passports and sustainable products.
- Directive 2009/125/EC: Establishes a framework for setting eco-design requirements for energy-related products.
- ISO Online Browsing Platform & IEC Electropedia: Provide official terminology for standardization.
- IETF RFC 9162 Certificate Transparency: Relevant for secure, authenticated data replication channels.
By adhering to EN 18221:2026, stakeholders ensure long-term data reliability and operational resilience, while supporting the broader goals of digitalization, sustainability, and regulatory conformance for digital product passports in Europe.
