Battery passport software gives you a platform to enter data, generate QR codes and host passports; your team does the work. A done-for-you service does that work for you: it works out what you need, tells you exactly what to request from your suppliers, checks what comes back, and publishes and maintains the passports. Software fits companies with in-house compliance staff and well-organised supplier data. A service fits smaller manufacturers and importers who need it done without learning the rules. Either way, you stay legally responsible and register in the EU registry yourself.
What the work actually is
The software is the easy part. Most of the effort sits around it:
- Working out your obligations: which batteries are covered, which category each is in, and whether you or your supplier places them on the EU market.
- Collecting the data: dozens of fields per model, most of which only your cell or pack supplier has, often outside the EU and in another language.
- Checking it: units, missing values and values that don't add up.
- Publishing: a passport and QR code for every single battery, and labels on the batteries before shipment.
- Registering: each passport in the EU registry, by you.
- Maintaining: new models, new shipments, changed suppliers, status changes, and new rules as the Commission adopts them.
Side by side
| Software | Done-for-you service | |
|---|---|---|
| Who works out what to ask suppliers and checks the answers | Your team | The service |
| Who keeps up with the rules | Your team | The service |
| Your time | Ongoing, internal | Reviewing and approving |
| Fits best | Large catalogues, in-house compliance staff, ERP integration | Small and mid-sized manufacturers and importers, a handful of models |
| Legal responsibility | You | You |
| EU registry registration | You | You, with the upload prepared for you |
Questions to ask any provider
Whichever route you take, these questions separate good providers from risky ones:
- How long will passports stay online, including if we stop paying or you go out of business? Batteries can stay in use for 10 years or more, and their QR codes need to keep working for that whole time.
- Whose domain do the QR codes point to? Once printed, codes can't change. Prefer a domain that's guaranteed long-term, ideally one you control.
- Can we export all our data, in a standard format, at any time?
- How is restricted data protected, and how do authorised people get access?
- Who updates the data for new shipments, state of health and status changes?
- How do you help with the EU registry?
- Which languages do the passport and your support cover?
Where PackPass fits
PackPass is a done-for-you service for companies with roughly 1 to 15 battery models, starting in Bulgaria and the rest of the EU. Founding prices start at €760 setup plus €149 a month, and the first 10 companies get 3 months free. If you have a large catalogue and a compliance team, software alone may be the better fit, and we'll tell you so on the free check call.
Rather not do this yourself?
PackPass checks which of your batteries are covered, tells you exactly what to ask your suppliers for and publishes the passports and QR codes for you. The first 10 companies get 3 months free.
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Not legal advice. This guide explains the rules in plain language as of the date above. Some implementing acts are still being adopted, so details can change. For decisions about your specific products, check the official texts or ask a lawyer.
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