Digital Product Passport (DPP) for steel fasteners and bolts

The European Union is preparing to introduce the mandatory Digital Product Passport (DPP), and steel will be among the very first intermediate sectors to be involved. For distributors, the main risk associated with fragmented supply chains is the so-called “data gap”, which is the lack of certified information on the origin and processing of materials.

Bontempi Vibo approaches this regulatory evolution from a privileged position: thanks to an integrated supply chain and total control of the production process for fasteners and bolts, the company already guarantees native traceability that protects commercial partners from any information disruption.

What is the DPP and why steel is on the front line

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is the regulatory tool through which the European Union aims to track the sustainability, circularity, and manufacturing history of every product placed on the market. Within this transition, steel has been identified as a priority sector. Although the specific regulation is currently in the draft and consultation phase, manufacturers and distributors are urged to structure their management systems so as not to be caught unprepared when the obligation is formally adopted.

The distributor data gap risk in fragmented supply chains

For distributors, the entry into force of the digital passport raises a structural issue: the distributor data gap risk. Those who source from fragmented supply chains, characterized by a plurality of suppliers and non-communicating intermediate steps, struggle to reconstruct the history of the product. The lack of continuous and certified data flows makes it complex to gather the information required by the EU, exposing distributors to potential sanctions, customs rejections, or severe commercial penalties.

Vibo’s response: an integrated supply chain between cold forming and traceability

Bontempi Vibo’s production philosophy translates into an immediate competitive advantage for its partners. By directly controlling the entire industrial process, the company is ideally positioned to meet future European standards. The pillars of our infrastructure include:

• Wire rod selection: Qualitative and document tracking of the raw material from the moment it enters the plant.
• Process control: Centralized management of all intermediate processing stages.
• Integrated cold forming supply chain: Total supervision up to the production of the finished part, ready for shipment.

This vertical model ensures rigorous end-to-end lot traceability. By guaranteeing data continuity starting today, Vibo’s integrated supply chain eliminates information gaps and puts the company in an ideal position to be ready when the obligation comes into effect, safeguarding its distributors’ business.