Digital Battery Passport
🚧 The RBTP credential model is actively under development, and the following guidance will be updated as the project evolves. The Digital Battery Passport (DBP) was developed as an extension of the core UNTP Digital Product Passport to address the unique requirements of battery products.
Digital Battery Passport (DBP): Overview and Use Cases
If you're looking for Implementation instructions, go to Digital Battery Passport Implementation Guide
The Digital Battery Passport (DBP) is a specialized extension of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) designed for use in battery supply chains. Built on the foundation of the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP), the DBP introduces additional structure to accommodate the unique characteristics, lifecycle complexities, and regulatory requirements associated with batteries.
It is one of several passport profiles in the Responsible Business Transparency Protocol (RBTP) ecosystem, each tailored to specific product categories and traceability needs.
🔍 Key Characteristics
- Cryptographically Verifiable: Issued as a W3C Verifiable Credential (VC)
- Battery-Specific Fields: Includes optional fields for chemistry, capacity, charge cycles, safety certifications, and embedded sensors
- Lifecycle-Tracked: Supports updates across manufacturing, usage, reuse, and end-of-life processing
- Composable & Linked: DBPs can reference upstream DPPs or facility credentials (e.g., Digital Electronic Facility Records) that describe assembly, testing, or recycling locations
🧩 When Should a DBP Be Issued?
A DBP is typically issued when:
- The product is a battery that has:
- Specific chemistry or composition requiring tracking (e.g., lithium-ion, solid-state)
- Lifecycle milestones such as initial charge, commissioning, or end-of-life processing
- ESG or circularity reporting obligations under regulatory frameworks (e.g., EU Battery Regulation)
- The battery enters a new lifecycle phase:
- Manufacturing or assembly
- Refurbishment or repurposing (e.g., for energy storage)
- Recycling or material recovery
In contrast, other non-battery components of an electronic product are generally covered by DEGPs or DPPs. The DBP focuses on the battery as a standalone entity with a high impact on sustainability, safety, and traceability.
🧭 Who Uses DBPs?
| Role | Use Case Example |
|---|---|
| Battery Manufacturers | Issue DBPs at the cell or pack level, including manufacturing origin, chemistry, and certifications |
| OEMs / Integrators | Reference DBPs when integrating batteries into larger assemblies (e.g., vehicles, laptops, e-bikes) |
| Recyclers | Use DBPs to determine handling and material recovery processes |
| Regulators | Audit DBPs to verify compliance with safety and circularity standards |
| Second-Life Operators | Reference and issue DBPs when batteries are reused or repurposed |
| Consumers or Resellers | View DBPs for warranty, performance, and origin information |
🧠 Example Scenario
A battery manufacturer produces a lithium-ion battery pack for electric vehicles. The pack is:
- Composed of multiple certified cells
- Manufactured in a facility verified via a DEFR
- Tested and certified to meet EU Battery Regulation criteria
The manufacturer issues a DBP that:
- Includes information about the cell origin, chemistry, and conformance claims
- References the DEFR of the assembly facility
Later, the battery is repurposed for stationary energy storage, and the DBP is updated to reflect its new lifecycle stage, safety testing, and second-use scenario.
✅ Summary
- DBPs extend DPPs with fields and logic tailored to battery-specific requirements
- Built to support sustainability, circularity, safety, and compliance
- RBTP treats DBPs as a foundational credential for high-risk, high-impact components in electronics and mobility sectors