The Solar Energy Association of Ukraine held an open meeting of the Committee on Digitalization and Intellectual Property Protection on the topic: “Digital Product Passport: how the EU is preparing the market for solar panel recycling – prospects for Ukraine.”
The meeting was chaired by Committee Head Ihor Shevchenko.
The event brought together representatives of businesses, installers, developers, equipment manufacturers, and market experts interested in understanding upcoming EU regulatory changes and their impact on the Ukrainian market.
During the meeting, the concept of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) was thoroughly examined as one of the key instruments of the European Union’s new circular economy policy.
As Ihor Shevchenko noted:
“The Digital Product Passport is a structured digital record that accompanies a product throughout its entire lifecycle – from manufacturing to recycling – storing data on composition, material origin, and carbon footprint.”
The DPP ensures full product traceability, including:
- material composition (silicon, metals, polymers);
- manufacturer and supply chain;
- technical characteristics and degradation;
- carbon footprint;
- dismantling and recycling instructions.
Special attention was given to the fact that the digital passport is not just a label on equipment but a comprehensive digital data system:
“This is not just a QR code on a panel – it is a full-fledged database ensuring a closed-loop traceability cycle from production to disposal.”
The expert emphasized that the implementation of DPP is directly linked to the rapid growth of electronic and photovoltaic waste worldwide:
“By 2030, more than 8 million tonnes of end-of-life solar panels are expected, and by 2040 – up to 27 million tonnes. Without a traceability system, these materials will become a major environmental challenge.”
In response, the EU is already shaping its regulatory framework:
- Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR);
- Battery Regulation (mandatory DPP for batteries from 2027);
- Circular Economy Action Plan.
It is expected that the Digital Product Passport will become mandatory for a wide range of products in the coming years.
Participants were presented with a prototype digital passport for solar modules developed within the RETRIEVE European project, in which the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine participates.
The prototype demonstrates the ability to:
- track each module at the power plant level;
- record all lifecycle events (manufacturing, transportation, installation, operation);
- plan recycling and material reuse;
- generate market analytics for government and business.
A separate part of the meeting focused on Ukraine’s readiness to implement DPP. Although implementation is still at an early stage, the basic legislative framework is already being formed:
- the Law of Ukraine “On Waste Management”;
- the National Waste Management Plan until 2033;
- climate policy and European integration commitments.
An important element of the future model will be Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which предусматриває responsibility for a product throughout its entire lifecycle.
Ihor Shevchenko noted that the introduction of the Digital Product Passport will become one of the key drivers of market transformation:
- approaches to manufacturing and equipment import will change;
- transparency requirements for supply chains will increase;
- new opportunities will emerge in recycling and material reuse;
- companies will gain tools to enhance competitiveness in the European market.
The Digital Product Passport is gradually becoming not only a regulatory requirement but also a new standard for doing business in the energy sector.
P.S. Please note that recordings of meetings and webinars held on the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine platform are available to members upon request. All registered participants have received the meeting materials via email. The materials will also be available in the next issue of the “Solar Digest.”