As the February 2027 deadline for Digital Battery Passports approaches, the conversation has shifted. Battery manufacturers are no longer asking what a Digital Battery Passport is, they're asking how to implement one successfully.
Questions about supplier data, system integrations, implementation timelines, costs, and the new EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry are becoming increasingly common as companies move from understanding the regulation to preparing for compliance.
To help answer these questions, Minespider recently hosted a live webinar, where our experts shared lessons from real implementation projects, discussed the challenges companies are facing today, and outlined practical steps for preparing for the 2027 deadline.
Watch the full webinar below, where our experts answer the most common questions about Digital Battery Passport implementation and share practical advice for preparing for the 2027 deadline.
What does the EU Battery Regulation actually require?
Under the EU Battery Regulation, Digital Battery Passports will be required for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, light means of transport (LMT) batteries, and industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh that are placed on the EU market.
While most manufacturers are aware of the upcoming requirement, many underestimate what implementation actually involves.
A Digital Battery Passport is far more than a digital document or compliance checklist. It is a structured digital record that brings together product information, technical specifications, sustainability data, circularity information, and due diligence requirements into a single trusted source. Depending on the battery category and applicable requirements, manufacturers may need to manage data attributes covering technical, sustainability, and lifecycle information.
"You can think of it as a digital record of the history of the battery. It keeps a record of what the battery is, what the chemistry is, and helps it get to the end of its life and recycling stage."
— Nathan Williams, Founder & CEO
The challenge, therefore, isn't creating new information from scratch. It's bringing together existing data in a structured, verifiable, and accessible way.
For many organisations, information is spread across ERP systems, PLM platforms, manufacturing databases, sustainability teams, procurement records, supplier declarations, and external partners. Creating a Digital Battery Passport means connecting these data sources and establishing clear ownership of the information.
Where should companies start?
Many organisations delay implementation because they believe they need every supplier aligned, every delegated act published, and every required dataset available before they can begin. In reality, waiting often creates more work rather than reducing it.
"I haven't met one company that had everything perfectly organised from day one. The companies making the most progress are simply the ones that start."
— Jaqueline Laganaro, Head of Sales
Rather than trying to implement Digital Battery Passports across an entire product portfolio, Minespider recommends beginning with a single battery model.
A pilot implementation helps organisations answer practical questions early:
- Which required data already exists?
- Which information is missing?
- Who owns each dataset?
- Which suppliers need to be involved?
- Which systems will provide the data?
Instead of treating implementation as a one-time compliance exercise, companies can build experience, improve data quality, and establish internal processes before scaling to additional products.
Starting with one Battery Passport also makes it easier to estimate the work required for future implementations. By identifying gaps early, organisations gain time to engage suppliers, clarify responsibilities, and develop governance processes long before the February 2027 deadline.
How long does implementation take?
Digital Battery Passport implementation is not a single technical project. It combines regulatory assessment, data management, system integration, and organisational change. Rather than attempting to complete everything at once, implementation should be approached in phases.
The process typically begins with a data availability and gap assessment, where companies determine which battery categories are in scope, identify the required data attributes, review existing information, and establish an implementation roadmap.
From there, attention shifts to integrating business systems such as ERP, PLM, manufacturing platforms, and sustainability tools so that information can flow automatically into the Battery Passport. As organisations gain confidence, implementation expands to include multiple battery models, suppliers, and production lines.
The initial assessment phase generally takes around 10–12 weeks, but implementation itself should be viewed as an ongoing programme rather than a fixed project with a single end date.
Importantly, business workshops and technical integration do not need to happen one after the other. Running these activities in parallel allows organisations to make progress more quickly while refining their implementation approach as they learn.
The goal isn't to create a perfect Battery Passport on day one. It's to establish a scalable foundation that can grow alongside both the business and the regulation.
Supplier data: What if the information isn't ready yet?
One of the biggest concerns raised during the webinar was supplier data and it's a challenge almost every manufacturer will face.
Battery Passport information doesn't usually exist in one place. Some suppliers may provide structured digital data, while others still rely on spreadsheets, PDFs, emails, or manual documentation. In some cases, the required information may not yet exist at all.
That doesn't mean companies should delay implementation, instead, missing information should be treated as part of the implementation process itself.
Creating an initial Battery Passport quickly highlights which data is already available, which suppliers need to contribute additional information, and where governance processes need to be established.
Companies also need to consider how commercially sensitive information will be managed, who is responsible for requesting supplier data, and how missing information will be tracked over time. Rather than being a barrier, these conversations help organisations strengthen collaboration across the supply chain while preparing for long-term compliance.
The biggest implementation challenges
When companies think about Digital Battery Passport implementation, they often assume the biggest challenge will be selecting the right software platform.
The real challenge is bringing together information that already exists, but is scattered across different departments, systems, and business partners.
"The hardest part is definitely not the passport platform or how you create the passports. It's more about establishing reliable data ownership and the governance model."
— Pavlina Spasovska, Head of Project Management
One of the biggest implementation challenges is that the required data is rarely owned by one team. Instead, it is distributed across engineering, procurement, sustainability, IT, and compliance functions, making cross-functional collaboration essential for building a complete and reliable Battery Passport.
For industrial batteries, implementation can become even more complex due to modular product structures, different battery configurations, and questions around passport granularity, unique identifiers, and QR code management.
Successful implementation therefore depends on cross-functional collaboration as much as technology. Establishing clear responsibilities, consistent governance processes, and reliable data ownership creates the foundation for long-term compliance.
Understanding the EU DPP Registry
Another topic generating significant discussion is the new EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry. Many companies assume it will act as a central database containing every Battery Passport, in reality, its role is much simpler.
"The EU is not going to have a central repository of all the data in the Battery Passports. What it is, is a list of battery identifiers and pointers to where the data is stored."
— Nathan Williams, Founder & CEO
Rather than storing Battery Passport data itself, the registry functions as a trusted directory. It allows authorised stakeholders to identify where the relevant Battery Passport is registered and access the information through the responsible data service.
This approach gives manufacturers greater flexibility while ensuring the authenticity and discoverability of their Battery Passports.
Manufacturers will also need to ensure their Battery Passport data is digitally signed using a qualified electronic seal before registration. In practice, this capability will typically be provided through the Battery Passport solution provider.
For most manufacturers, these technical requirements will be handled through their Battery Passport provider, making it important to choose a solution that is prepared for future regulatory developments and registry integration.
Connecting Battery Passports to your existing systems
One concern many organisations have is whether implementing a Digital Battery Passport requires replacing their existing systems. In practice, most companies can integrate Battery Passport processes with the systems they already use.
Most manufacturers alrefady hold much of the required information in ERP, PLM, MES, quality management, and sustainability systems. The challenge isn't collecting entirely new data, it's making existing information available in a structured, interoperable format.
The Digital Battery Passport acts as a trusted digital layer that makes existing organisational data accessible, structured, and shareable across the supply chain. Depending on a company’s IT architecture, this information can be exchanged with Minespider through REST API integrations or through integration layers that connect to existing business systems such as ERP, PLM, manufacturing, supplier, or BMS platforms. Rather than creating duplicate records, the Battery Passport provides a reliable way to publish verified information while allowing companies to continue managing source data within their own enterprise systems.
Planning these integrations early helps reduce manual work later and ensures the Battery Passport becomes part of existing business processes rather than a separate compliance exercise.
Catena-X Connectivity
For companies supplying the automotive industry, another question is whether they also need to prepare for Catena-X.
Catena-X is not a requirement for every manufacturer. Instead, it becomes relevant for organisations that exchange data with automotive OEMs and suppliers operating within the Catena-X ecosystem.
Minespider supports these supply chains by enabling Battery Passport data to be shared in the required format. Companies requiring Catena-X connectivity typically use dataspace connectors and related components to enable trusted data exchange within the ecosystem.
For manufacturers outside those supply chains, however, Catena-X does not introduce additional regulatory obligations.
Why companies should start preparing now
The Battery Regulation will continue to develop through implementing acts, delegated acts, and technical standards. Organisations that postpone implementation until every detail is settled risk compressing months of preparation into a much shorter timeframe.
By building an initial Battery Passport, engaging suppliers, and connecting systems early, organisations can refine their processes gradually instead of rushing to meet the deadline. Even if not every data point is immediately available, the implementation process itself helps identify gaps, establish governance, and build internal confidence.
Early implementation is therefore not about achieving perfect compliance immediately. It's about creating the foundation needed to adapt as the regulatory landscape continues to evolve.
Looking beyond compliance
Structured, trustworthy battery data has value far beyond meeting regulatory requirements. It enables better collaboration across supply chains, supports automation, improves traceability, and creates the digital foundation needed for future business models.
Digital Battery Passports are not simply about demonstrating compliance, they are about making battery information structured, trusted, and accessible so it can support the next generation of digital services. As AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making become increasingly important across manufacturing and supply chains, organisations with high-quality, interoperable data will be better positioned to adapt.
Start your Digital Battery Passport journey
Preparing for Digital Battery Passport compliance doesn't begin with generating a QR code or publishing a digital record. It begins with understanding your data, engaging suppliers, and building a practical implementation roadmap.
Starting with a single battery model, conducting a data availability assessment, and establishing clear governance processes can make the journey significantly more manageable while creating a foundation that scales over time.
Whether you're assessing your readiness or planning to integrate Battery Passports into existing ERP and PLM systems, taking the first step today will put your organisation in a much stronger position ahead of the February 2027 deadline.
Prepare for Digital Battery Passport compliance. Contact the Minespider team to discuss your implementation roadmap or book a demo to see how our platform helps organisations prepare for compliant, scalable Digital Battery Passports.
