Low-cost strategies: SaaS, bulk buying, and open-source tools
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), complying with the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) regulations does not require a large upfront investment. Here’s how to cost-effectively deploy an NFC-based DPP:
A.Rent a SaaS platform instead of building in-house
- Example: Platforms such as Circularise DPP offer tiered pricing (€150-500 per month) to SMEs, covering NFC data templates, SCIP submissions, and basic analytics.
- Savings: Avoid €50,000+ in custom software development costs.
B.Join an NFC tag purchasing cooperative
- How it works: Pool orders with other SMEs to meet bulk MOQs (minimum order quantities).
More than 120 SMEs in the EU received €0.28/tag through RFIDHY’s group purchase (versus €0.45/tag when purchased individually).
C.Leverage open-source DPP tools
- OpenDPP: A free framework for NFC data formatting and EU compliance checks.
- Integration: Pair with low-cost tags like NXP NTAG 213 (€0.15/tag) for basic traceability.
Phased rollout: Pilot → Scale → Optimize
Phase 1: Pilot for high-risk products
- Focus: Apply NFC DPP to products with strict EU regulations (e.g., batteries, textiles).
- Budget: €3,000–5,000 (500–1,000 tags + SaaS subscription).
Phase 2: Supplier collaboration
- Action: Train Tier 1 suppliers to submit data via the OpenDPP portal.
- Tools: Free data aggregation using Google Sheets NFC plugin.
Phase 3: Fully scaled
- Automation: Upgrade to mid-range SaaS (€500–1,000/month) and integrate APIs.
Case Study: Family Business Saves €10,000 with Phased NFC DPP
Challenge: Needed 5,000+ organic cotton garments to be DPP compliant but faced a €15,000 budget shortfall.
Solution:
- Pilot: Tagged 500 high-margin jackets with NXP NTAG 213 (€0.18/tag).
- Tools: Used OpenDPP + free AWS tier for data storage.
- Partnership: Joined the National SME Procurement Group to receive discounts on bulk tags.
Results:
- Saved €10,000 in initial setup costs.
- 100% SCIP compliance for EU exports.
- 25% faster customs clearance with NFC readable DPP.
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