Hashgraph Group Unveils “TrackTrace” to Help Companies Meet EU Digital Product Passport Requirements
Zurich‑based Hashgraph Group has introduced TrackTrace, a Hedera‑based platform that provides verifiable, blockchain‑anchored data for the EU’s forthcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) obligations. The move comes as European regulators tighten sustainability and traceability rules across a growing list of product categories.
What TrackTrace does
TrackTrace is a supply‑chain visibility solution that records product‑specific information—such as emissions data, durability metrics and reparability scores—on the Hedera public ledger. By creating immutable audit trails, the platform aims to simplify compliance reporting and enable authenticity checks for manufacturers and distributors targeting the European market.
The system also incorporates artificial‑intelligence‑driven workflow automation, allowing firms to generate the required digital documentation with reduced manual effort. In addition, it leverages Hashgraph Group’s decentralized identity framework, IDTrust, to issue verifiable credentials that securely link physical events to digital records.
Why the timing matters
The European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) entered into force on 18 July 2024. ESPR establishes a framework for “Digital Product Passports,” standardized digital dossiers that travel with a product throughout its lifecycle and are shared across supply‑chain participants. While the regulation currently applies to a limited set of items, it will expand to sectors such as textiles, apparel, iron, steel and other priority goods by July 2027.
A near‑term milestone is the EU Battery Regulation, which will require a battery‑specific passport from 18 February 2027 for batteries above 2 kWh—including many electric‑vehicle and industrial units. Companies that fail to meet these data‑sharing obligations could face market restrictions and penalties.
Hedera’s role in the solution
Hedera Hashgraph, the distributed ledger technology underpinning TrackTrace, is promoted as one of the most energy‑efficient public ledgers. Its governance council includes heavyweight enterprises such as Dell, Google, IBM, FedEx and Standard Bank, lending credibility to its enterprise‑grade positioning. By anchoring data on Hedera, Hashgraph Group argues that TrackTrace delivers a trusted infrastructure layer essential for the EU’s climate‑driven digital reporting agenda.
Partnerships and market positioning
Hashgraph Group disclosed a collaboration with PwC to pilot DPP implementations for large‑scale corporate clients. The partnership is intended to accelerate adoption of the technology among firms that need to retrofit existing processes to satisfy upcoming EU mandates.
TrackTrace joins a crowded field of blockchain‑based traceability tools, including IBM’s Sterling Transparent Supply, TraceX, Circular (focused on batteries and plastics) and TrusTrace (targeting fashion and textiles). Its differentiators—integration with Hedera’s low‑energy ledger and the use of decentralized identity for tamper‑proof credentials—are positioned as advantages for regulated markets where data integrity is paramount.
Analyst perspective
- Regulatory pressure as a catalyst – The rollout of DPP requirements creates a clear demand for immutable, auditable data. Solutions that can embed compliance within the product lifecycle are likely to see faster uptake, especially in high‑value sectors such as automotive batteries.
- Energy efficiency as a selling point – Hedera’s reputation for low power consumption aligns with the EU’s Green Deal objectives, potentially making it more attractive than competing proof‑of‑work chains.
- Enterprise adoption hurdle – While the technology stack is robust, widespread adoption will depend on how quickly legacy ERP and PLM systems can integrate with TrackTrace. The PwC partnership may help bridge that gap, but scalability across SMEs remains an open question.
- Competitive landscape – Existing players already have footholds in specific verticals; Hashgraph Group will need to demonstrate clear ROI and ease of integration to win market share.
Key takeaways
- Launch of TrackTrace – A Hedera‑based platform designed to automate EU Digital Product Passport compliance through immutable audit trails and AI‑driven workflows.
- Regulatory context – The ESPR and forthcoming battery passport rules make DPP readiness a strategic necessity for companies selling in Europe.
- Strategic partnerships – Collaboration with PwC aims to accelerate enterprise deployments and showcase the solution’s capability across complex supply chains.
- Competitive edge – Hedera’s energy‑efficient consensus and the integration of decentralized identity differentiate TrackTrace from other blockchain traceability solutions.
- Market outlook – Success will hinge on integration ease, cost‑effectiveness, and the ability to meet the expanding scope of EU product‑passport obligations by 2027.
By delivering a blockchain‑backed infrastructure tailored to the EU’s sustainability agenda, Hashgraph Group seeks to position itself at the intersection of regulatory compliance, supply‑chain transparency and the broader push toward a circular economy. Whether TrackTrace can translate that vision into widespread commercial adoption will be closely watched by both the blockchain community and enterprises navigating the emerging DPP landscape.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/hashgraph-launches-hedera-tool-for-eu-digital-product-passports?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
