Tech Start-Up TAZAAR Prepares For EU’s New Digital Product Passports

Few people outside the electronics industry will be aware of the EU’s forthcoming Digital Product Passport regulations. Coming into force in 2026, the DPPs are designed to prioritize a product’s traceability and accountability, encouraging a movement towards a ‘circular economy’ where products are not simply discarded but properly recycled, reused or repurposed.

By 2026, all manufacturers of consumer electronics who want to sell into the EU’s Single Market will be required to integrate a digital record within their products that can be used to create transparent documentation for every step of a product’s lifespan, from the sourcing of its parts and materials to the commercial journey of the product and even the history of its ownership.

The DPP for your TV or hi-fi will have data recorded against that can be accessed by scanning an NFC chip, QR code or RFID tag, depending on the platform the manufacturer has implemented. Soon there will be a record of all the items that you buy and own. While some people may think that sounds a little dystopian, others say it makes sense like microchipping your cat.

To address these new regulations, a company called TAZAAR is announcing the launch of its new digital logbook technology at HIGH END 2024, the exclusive audio show that opens in Munich, next month. The new technology will create a story of a product’s life from the moment of its manufacture, to where it was sold, who bought it and where it was sold on the second-hand market.

For consumers, TAZAAR says the DPP will enhance traceability, increase trust and an provide an enriched ownership experience that transforms high-performance electronics into potential heirloom items. By preserving the full history and authenticity of a product, TAZAAR says it will promote longer lifespans and more meaningful ownership experiences.

TAZAAR’s implementation of provenance and heritage-tracing technologies is a direct response to the EU’s Digital Product Passport, with controls to protect confidentiality. These new regulations will roll out one sector at a time, with batteries and textiles already providing test cases. Legal enforcement is set to begin in 2026 when logbooks will have been developed with industry partners to deliver a tailored solution for the consumer electronics industry,

Initially, TAZAAR says it is focusing on high-end audio manufacturers with products that are built to last and which may be cherished by several owners over the course of many years. Manufacturers and distributors that embed TAZAAR’s technology in their products will gain insight into the post-purchase product journey and environmental footprint, accelerating sustainability goals and enabling them to promote the value of responsibly made products.

Meanwhile, TAZAAR says consumers will be able to benefit from verified information about a product’s origins and its journey to date, including current and past owners as well as its service history. The scheme would be like the logbook that most vehicles have for their lifespan.

Lisa Stafford is CEO of TAZAAR, she said: “Our digital logbook technology enhances ownership and reflects our commitment to sustainability, ensuring well-crafted products have longer, more valuable lives. The HIGH END show in Munich is the ideal showcase for our innovation and a great opportunity to connect with industry leaders who would like to learn more about our solution and explore future strategic partnership opportunities.”

One of the first brands to adopt TAZAAR’s new technology is the Cambridge speaker manufacturer Kerr Acoustic. The partnership will enable Kerr Acoustic’s customers to access detailed product histories, technical specifications and ownership records, enhancing their interaction and fostering long-term relationships with each product.

Jes Kerr, managing director of Kerr Acoustic, said: “We chose to use TAZAAR’s innovative and forward-thinking platform as it offers several unique benefits for both the manufacturer and the end user. Its digital product identity and traceability features are revolutionary in the space, allowing unique insights into a product’s journey from manufacturer to customer and beyond. This is highly advantageous, not only from a sustainability point of view, but also in ensuring product authenticity and proof of ownership.”

TAZAAR has been selected by the Munich’s show-organizer, High End Society, to feature in the show’s Start-Up Zone. This invitation coincides with TAZAAR’s commercial launch and underscores the innovative nature of the company’s digital logbook solution, giving event attendees an opportunity to see how the technology works.

Personally, I am not sure there is a need for this kind of traceability in something like a pair of speakers or a TV. To some extent it could be an invasion of privacy and open to all kinds of issues. Who would ensure the end user registered a new owner when selling on the kit? Would there be penalties for not declaring a change in ownership or private sale. It does seem a little Orwellian, but if the EU is set on introducing these measures for every electronic item we buy, then full marks to companies like TAZAAR for getting ahead of the game and making links in the audio industry before the regulations come into force.

More info: www.tazaar.io