Building the Data Foundation for Digital Product Passports: An Interview with b.telligent

Spherity and b.telligent are combining their expertise to provide companies with end-to-end support on their journey toward the Digital Product Passport. The partnership brings together b.telligent’s expertise in data integration, data quality, and automation with Spherity’s DPP technology, creating a seamless process from fragmented enterprise and product data to trusted, regulatory-compliant Digital Product Passports.

In our interview with  Dr. Kai Brinckmeier, we discuss the data challenges companies face today, how existing IT systems can be integrated, and why a reliable data infrastructure is essential for upcoming EU requirements and interoperable data ecosystems.

1. Could you briefly introduce b.telligent and your role within the company?

I am a Principal Consultant at b.telligent and, among other responsibilities, lead the Product Compliance Data area. b.telligent is a European Data & AI consultancy that supports companies across the entire data value chain – from strategy, analysis, conception, and implementation to operations and the continuous development of solutions. b.telligent combines business consulting, technological implementation expertise, and in-depth AI expertise to turn data into sustainable business success.

2. What motivated b.telligent to enter into a partnership with Spherity?

   
   

When it comes to product compliance, we currently encounter two key questions:

Which solutions can reliably meet regulatory requirements such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP)?

And how can the required data be made available and usable from within a company’s existing system landscape?

This is exactly where b.telligent and Spherity complement each other. While Spherity provides the solution for implementing compliance requirements, b.telligent contributes its Data & AI expertise to identify and connect relevant data sources, ensure data quality, and supply systems with the necessary information. In this way, b.telligent serves as a complementary extension to Spherity’s solution.

Spherity’s compelling product and reliable corporate structure were also important factors in establishing the partnership. This makes Spherity a strong partner for b.telligent in providing customers with comprehensive support for their product compliance initiatives.

3. What challenges are companies currently facing with regard to new regulatory requirements such as the Digital Product Passport, ESG reporting, or supply chain transparency?

   
   

The biggest challenge is usually not the certification itself, but preparing the data from the company’s existing system landscape. Companies first need to determine: What data is available? In what format? And is it complete, consistent, and reliable enough?

In addition, information from upstream suppliers needs to be identified, integrated, and made reliably available. The goal is to automate the flow of data to the relevant systems so that Digital Product Passports (DPPs), for example, can be created directly within the production process – without manual intermediate steps.

4. What role do you think Digital Product Passports and trusted data ecosystems will play for industry and supply chains in the coming years?

   
   

We expect this topic to become increasingly important. Many regulatory requirements aim to make products transparently traceable based on reliable data, for example through reports, Digital Product Passports (DPPs), or other forms of evidence. This is only possible if the underlying data infrastructure is built and operated securely and reliably.

5. How do the capabilities of b.telligent and Spherity complement each other within the partnership?

   
   

b.telligent handles the tasks that come before the interface with Spherity’s solution: identifying relevant data sources, ensuring data quality, preparing data, and automating the processes required to make it available. In addition, b.telligent integrates Spherity’s solution into the existing system and data landscape.

Spherity provides the solution for creating, managing, and using Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to meet compliance requirements. Together, this creates an end-to-end process – from reliable data to a fully managed DPP.

6. What concrete benefits does the collaboration provide to joint customers?

   
   

Customers benefit from an end-to-end solution – from data preparation and automation to integration and the finished DPP.

7. What should companies focus on today to ensure they are prepared for future regulatory, technological, and organizational requirements?

   
   

Companies should assess early on how well prepared they are for upcoming regulatory requirements: What relevant data is already available? Where is it located? How reliable and complete is it? And where are the gaps in processes, responsibilities, or technical infrastructure?

Based on this assessment, a clear roadmap can be developed. Companies that systematically develop their data, systems, and responsibilities early on create the foundation for meeting regulatory requirements such as the Digital Product Passport securely and efficiently – rather than having to respond under time pressure.

8. What opportunities do you see for companies that invest early in interoperable and trusted data infrastructures?

   
   

They stand to benefit the most and can quickly take advantage of the opportunities these infrastructures provide.

9. What can customers and partners expect from the collaboration between b.telligent and Spherity going forward?

Close professional collaboration, continuous exchange, and comprehensive solutions tailored to customers’ specific needs.

Learn more about the partnership between b.telligent and Spherity here.