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The Digitalization for Circular Economy Initiative, launched in 2023 by the One Planet Network and the Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability (CODES), seeks to harness digital technologies to accelerate and scale environmentally and socially inclusive circular economies. To drive implementation, D4CE has established two Intervention Labs—one focused on Global Digital Standards and Interoperability and another on Digitally Enabled Business Models—to turn knowledge into action. Through these efforts, D4CE is working toward a more harmonized, transparent, and inclusive digital ecosystem for circularity.

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In 2024, the co-leads conducted multiple assessments on data requirements frameworks, technology landscapes, and the readiness of companies in the Global South to implement digital product information systems (DPIS), such as digital product passports. WBCSD analyzed the opportunities and challenges of circularity data exchange, identifying interoperability and data-sharing challenges across industries, while UNEP and Wuppertal Institute conducted a data gap analysis assessment and a technology overview of DPIS. ITU continued the development of standards for Digital Product Passports (DPPs) in the ICT sector, ensuring structured and interoperable product data. The Wuppertal Institute explored digitally enabled circular business models, examining how digitalization can support circular economy transitions.  UNIDO assessed the readiness of the textile sector in the selected Global South countries to adopt digital product information systems, identifying key challenges and opportunities for implementation. Together, these initiatives strengthen the foundation for a globally harmonized and scalable approach to digital product information, ensuring accessibility, transparency, and interoperability across sectors and regions.

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Among other key findings, these assessments highlighted the need for a global framework to harmonize the DPIS landscape and identify its value proposition. The co-development of the framework, along with pilot testing, is scheduled for 2025, with a planned launch in 2026.

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GLOBAL FRAMEWORK FOR DIGITAL PRODUCT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

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‍The Global Framework for Digital Product Information Systems is a sector-agnostic initiative designed to harmonize the design and implementation of digital product information systems across industries and regions. Developed under the D4CE, this framework builds on existing sectoral efforts—such as those for the ICT and textile sectors—while ensuring an inclusive, globally scalable approach.

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Specific objectives:  

• Achieve global consensus on the data categories of DPIS giving a voice to the global south

• Uptake of principles on the governance an d technology architecture (accessibility, interoperability, traceability and open source technology)

• Recommend the adoption of financial mechanisms and incentives for the implementation of DPIS

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The framework enables interoperability, transparency, and accessibility of sustainability information, helping consumers, businesses, and policymakers make informed decisions. By aligning diverse initiatives and integrating insights from global consultations, it addresses the varying realities of different regions and economies to support a more circular and sustainable future.

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Co-developed by key partners including UNEP, ITU, UNIDO, WBCSD, the Wuppertal Institute, and Plan A, the framework is shaping the next generation of digital product information systems.‍

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Learn how these co-leads are contributing towards the global framework:

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