Small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe are facing an increasing need to collect, manage, and share reliable product information related to origin, composition, sustainability, traceability, and compliance with European requirements.
In this context, the European project DIGITRACE – Digital Traceability Skills for Competitive and Sustainable Ecosystems – has been launched, aiming to support SMEs in their preparation for the new requirements related to the Digital Product Passport.
The Digital Product Passport will change the way products are documented and traced throughout the value chain. For many enterprises, this means the need for better data organisation, closer cooperation with suppliers and partners, as well as the development of new digital and organisational skills.
DIGITRACE aims to support this process by developing practical training, tools, and guidelines tailored to the real needs of businesses. The project places a special focus on SMEs, which often do not have sufficient internal resources, expertise, or ready-to-use digital solutions to prepare independently for the upcoming changes.
Through DIGITRACE, enterprises will gain a better understanding of:
- what product information will be required;
• how to identify missing or incomplete data;
• how to improve the internal organisation of information;
• what skills will be needed by the different teams within the company;
• how digital traceability can support competitiveness, customer trust, and access to markets.
The project brings together 10 partners from 5 European countries, including business support organisations, educational institutions, technology companies, and experts in the fields of sustainability and digitalisation. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Stara Zagora is a partner in the DIGITRACE project and actively participates in activities aimed at supporting Bulgarian enterprises and building a national network for the exchange of knowledge, good practices, and practical solutions.
In Bulgaria, the activities are focused on involving enterprises, business associations, training institutions, providers of digital solutions, and other stakeholders related to digital traceability, sustainability, and preparation for the Digital Product Passport.
A particularly important part of the project is the active involvement of businesses. Feedback from SMEs will be used in the development of training materials, practical tools, and sector-specific guidelines, so that they respond to the real challenges faced by enterprises.
For SMEs, participation in such initiatives is an opportunity to start preparing in a timely manner, to better understand the upcoming requirements, and to turn digital traceability not only into a compliance obligation, but also into a tool for better data management, greater transparency, and stronger market positioning.
Enterprise Europe Network Bulgaria will continue to inform enterprises about opportunities, training, and initiatives that support their digital and green transformation.
For more information about the DIGITRACE project and opportunities to participate in upcoming activities, you can contact the Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Stara Zagora by email: projects@chambersz.com