European legislation is changing the rules governing the product lifecycle. With the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the EU has laid the foundations for a mandatory Digital Product Passport (DPP), which is set to be gradually introduced from 2027 onwards. What may initially sound like additional bureaucracy opens up strategic opportunities for retailers: creating greater product transparency, making professional services more visible, advancing sustainability and securing competitive advantages. This also brings 2-man handling into focus, as the DPP documents which services have been professionally carried out in practice.
How the Digital Product Passport Is Transforming Logistics
The Digital Product Passport is part of the EU’s circular economy strategy and is designed to make information about a product’s origin, material composition, repairability and sustainability transparent in a standardised format. It is set to be introduced from 2027 for the first product groups, such as batteries and textiles, with other categories, including electrical appliances and construction materials, to follow gradually. By 2030, the DPP is expected to become mandatory for many other sectors and accessible via QR codes or chips.
For the furniture and electrical appliance industries, this means that every product will have a digital twin accompanying it throughout its entire lifecycle, from manufacturing and use through to disposal or recycling.
The DPP can include information such as:
- Technical specifications and weight information
- Material composition and proof of origin
- Handling and safety instructions
- Information on repairability and spare parts
- Information on proper disposal
This transparency builds trust among customers, but also places new demands on the supply chain. Anyone documenting product information digitally must ensure that the physical handling of the products matches the information provided. This is exactly where 2-man handling comes into play.
Where 2-Man Handling and the DPP Come Together
The connection between the Digital Product Passport and physical service is more direct than it may initially appear. Whether heavy furniture or bulky fitted kitchens, 2-man handling is already standard for many products that will be subject to DPP requirements in the future. Four areas illustrate how closely digital documentation and professional delivery are interconnected:
Weight and safe handling
The DPP documents technical data such as weight and dimensions. This information enables more precise resource planning at the logistics planning stage: Which vehicles are required? Which equipment is needed? A 2-man handling team knows how to transport heavy loads safely and professionally, such as a 180-kilogram wardrobe that needs to be carried to the fourth floor, and can plan the appropriate equipment accordingly. This reduces health and safety risks, delays, and damage to the product or property. The information contained in the DPP therefore becomes the basis for safe and efficient processes.
Product protection through professional expertise
The DPP is designed to extend product lifecycles by providing transparent information on repairability and care. But even the best repair instructions are of little use if the product is already damaged during transportation. Qualified delivery teams use lifting equipment and floor protection mats and are trained in the correct carrying techniques. This reduces transport damage and unnecessary returns, making a real contribution to sustainability.
Circular economy in practice
The DPP is also intended to promote the circular economy, and this begins with the delivery service. 2-man handling teams, such as those from the Hermes Furniture Delivery Service (HES), not only handle transportation but also provide professional old appliance removal and disposal. Information on recyclability documented in the DPP can therefore be put into practice by trained specialists. This creates a closed loop: the new item of furniture arrives safely, while the old one is properly collected for recycling. This comprehensive solution reduces the effort required from end customers and helps ensure that materials are actually returned to the circular economy.
Making services visible in the DPP
The Digital Product Passport also offers the opportunity to document logistics services. When was the furniture delivered? How was the washing machine installed? What warranty services are available? Retailers can use this transparency to strengthen their service offering and create a positive customer experience. Delivery by trained 2-man handling teams thus becomes a tangible and transparently documented part of the overall service experience.
Why Professional Service Will Continue to Matter
Digitalisation through the DPP does not replace physical expertise. Instead, it makes it even more essential. After all, real people still carry real furniture into real homes. The more transparent product information becomes, the more important professional handling is in practice.
A recent HES study shows that end customers place great value on comprehensive services. According to the study, half of all buyers of large electrical appliances would switch providers if delivery to the desired location were not offered. In the furniture sector, the figure is still 42 percent. This means that companies that do not offer comprehensive services risk both customer satisfaction and sales.
Even more significantly, many retailers are missing out on potential because they do not actively offer additional services. 29 percent of buyers of large electrical appliances would have used an installation service if it had been clearly presented during the ordering process. The situation is similar for disposal of packaging materials: 60 percent of furniture customers would have booked this service if it had been offered.
Digital Documentation Meets Practical Implementation
The Digital Product Passport therefore documents how things are intended to be, while 2-man handling reflects part of how they are actually implemented. After all, the quality of the customer experience is determined on the last mile, not by a QR code. This is where trained teams make the difference by moving heavy loads safely, assembling furniture professionally, installing electrical appliances and providing end customers with a worry-free experience.
To turn digital transparency into reliable service, logistics processes need to be intelligently interconnected:
- Route data, weight data and handling requirements from the DPP are incorporated into operational planning.
- Delivery teams receive relevant information digitally, such as collection orders or disposal instructions.
- Documents, photographic evidence and service records can be fed directly back into the DPP system as part of a circular service record.
For retailers, the DPP therefore opens up new opportunities: transparency and service become key to building trust and differentiation. Digitalisation does not replace human expertise. It makes it manageable, scalable and visible.
Conclusion: Invest Today, Reap the Benefits Tomorrow
While data flows seamlessly through the Digital Product Passport, certain product categories remain difficult to handle and staircases remain steep. This is precisely where the opportunity lies for retailers: investing in 2-man handling, professional assembly and comprehensive services creates sustainable competitive advantages.
Providers of bulky goods can meet rising customer expectations while laying the foundation for long-term customer loyalty. After all, what matters is not only what is documented in the product passport, but above all how the product arrives in the customer’s living room.
