DPP data backbone: How PIM and iPaaS enable compliance

Combining PIM & iPaaS to automate Digital Product Passports

The hard part of Digital Product Passports isn’t the QR code or the template—it’s turning product information into auditable, updateable product evidence. Most organizations already have the data somewhere, but DPP requires something stricter: you must know where each value came from, how it was calculated or transformed, and when it changed.

This is where the combination of PIM and iPaaS becomes more than “nice architecture.” A PIM helps govern the DPP attributes and serves as the product truth layer. But it can’t manufacture upstream facts on its own—material composition, supplier declarations, batch data, emissions calculations, and certificates live across PLM, ERP, suppliers, and external sources. An iPaaS (integration Platform as a Service) is what orchestrates those inputs into a repeatable system: integrating, transforming, validating, logging, and updating DPP-ready records without turning compliance into a manual spreadsheet ritual.

Let’s unpack what DPP includes, the specific role of PIM + iPaaS, the types of DPP data that typically belong in each system, and a practical flow for building a DPP data backbone that can scale across SKUs and future requirements.

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What DPP data actually looks like in the real world

Digital Product Passport data points include material composition, supply chain origin, carbon footprint, and repair/recycling guidance. However, but the hidden complexity is that these values don’t behave the same way.

A useful way to think about DPP information is in three data types:

1. Product master data (SKU-level “product truth”)
   Specifications, materials declarations, technical attributes, care instructions, and structured sustainability fields.
2. Operational and supply chain data (often batch/lot-level and time-sensitive)
   Sourcing details, certifications that expire, production locations, supplier statements, and logistics inputs that change over time.
3. Evidence and lineage (the “prove it” layer)
   Certificates, calculation inputs, approvals, timestamps, plus the history of changes and transformations.

Most organizations plan only for type (1). DPP readiness breaks on type (2), and compliance risk lives in type (3). That’s why your architecture matters: you’re not just publishing product content—you’re maintaining product evidence.

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PIM: The central repository for product truth

A Product Information Management (PIM) system is essential for maintaining the quality and consistency of product data. The role of PIM systems in DPP evolves from a being a mere marketing tool to a compliance engine.

PIM platforms like Akeneo, Pimcore, and Inriver allow businesses to centralize technical specifications and sustainability attributes. Instead of scattering environmental data across various files, a PIM system provides a single source of truth.

Key functions of PIM in DPP creation

• Attribute management: PIMs allow you to easily add new fields required by DPP regulations, such as “Recyclability Score” or “Carbon Footprint (kg CO₂e).”
• Data enrichment: Marketing teams can collaborate with compliance officers within the PIM to ensure that sustainability claims are accurate and backed by data.
• Multilingual support: As DPPs must often be available in multiple languages for different markets, PIM systems automate the translation and localization of technical data.

However, a PIM system cannot generate this data in a vacuum. It relies on inputs from manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain partners. This is where the integration layer becomes indispensable.

iPaaS: The nervous system of compliance

While the PIM stores the data, an iPaaS moves it. The Alumio iPaaS enables Digital Product Passport creation by acting as the connective tissue between your IT ecosystem. It synchronizes data across Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and the PIM system, ensuring that the passport is always up to date.

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Integrating the value chain

Creating a DPP requires data from specific systems:

1. PLM and PDM: Engineering data regarding materials and design.
2. ERP: Sourcing, procurement, and batch-level manufacturing data.
3. Supplier Portals: External data regarding raw material origins and certifications.

Without an integration platform, moving this data into a PIM or a DPP publisher requires manual entry or rigid point-to-point connections. Alumio automates these flows. For example, when a product design is updated in a PLM system to use a more sustainable material, Alumio detects the change and automatically updates the corresponding fields in the PIM.

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Automating data workflows

Data accuracy is non-negotiable for regulatory compliance. Alumio provides validation capabilities that can flag incomplete records before they are published. If a product is missing its “Country of Origin” or “Recycling Instructions,” the integration workflow can trigger an alert, preventing non-compliant products from entering the market.

Furthermore, exploring the Digital Product Passport with partners like XSARUS reveals that integration is key to scalability. As product portfolios grow, the ability to automate the retrieval and publication of DPP data ensures that compliance does not become a bottleneck for speed-to-market.

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Building a future-proof architecture

Implementing a DPP strategy is not a one-time project; it is an architectural shift. Businesses must transition from static data storage to dynamic data exchange.

By leveraging a PIM as the content hub and an iPaaS as the orchestration layer, organizations gain:

• Agility: The ability to adapt quickly to new regulations by simply adding new data sources or attributes.
• Traceability: A clear audit trail of where data came from and how it was modified.
• Efficiency: Reduced manual effort in data collection, allowing teams to focus on sustainability innovation rather than data entry.

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Conclusion

The Digital Product Passport represents a fundamental change in how products are made, sold, and used. While the compliance requirements are rigorous, they also offer a chance to build a more resilient and transparent business. By establishing a robust data backbone with PIM and the Alumio iPaaS, manufacturers can turn regulatory pressure into a competitive advantage, proving their commitment to a sustainable future.