With the introduction of EU Battery Regulation No. 2023/1542, the implementation of digital product passports (DPP) will become mandatory for all electric vehicle, light transport, and industrial batteries from 2027. The planned decentralized system, operated by the European Commission, distributors, and IT service providers, poses significant challenges, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, due to high system complexity, evolving standards, and tight deadlines. This paper advocates for the development of a freely accessible test environment to support battery distributors and other stakeholders in verifying the conformity of their data, interfaces, and system functions with regulatory and technical requirements. The proposed test platform should enable the definition and execution of modular test procedures, provide emulation of central components, and facilitate robust validation of data structures, interaction protocols, and security mechanisms. By drawing on best practices from standardization projects and industry initiatives, the paper outlines the necessary functionalities, process models, and test types required to ensure compliance and reduce implementation risks. The test environment is intended to aid companies in efficiently meeting regulatory requirements and adapting to future changes, thereby supporting the successful rollout of the DPP system.
Gering et al. (2026) studied this question.