What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based format used for structuring and exchanging data between systems. It is both human-readable and machine-friendly, making it one of the most widely used formats for APIs, configuration files, and data storage in modern web applications.
A typical JSON object consists of key–value pairs enclosed in curly braces {}, with support for nested structures such as arrays, objects, strings, numbers, booleans, and null values.
Example:
json
{ "productId": "123456", "productName": "EcoSmart Battery", "materialComposition": [ { "material": "Lithium", "percentage": 40 }, { "material": "Cobalt", "percentage": 10 } ], "repairable": true, "manufactureDate": "2025-06-12" }
JSON in the context of Digital Product Passports
In the Digital Product Passport (DPP) ecosystem, JSON is a foundational format for storing and transmitting structured product data. DPPs require the exchange of detailed and standardized information about a product's lifecycle — such as origin, composition, environmental impact, and repairability. JSON enables this data to be:
- Interoperable: Easily shared across systems, platforms, and databases.
- Modular: Structured into reusable and extendable blocks (e.g., materials, logistics, compliance).
- Machine-readable: Compatible with blockchain, IoT devices, and sustainability reporting systems.
- Regulation-ready: Easily validated against schemas to ensure compliance with EU standards like ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation).
JSON is often used in conjunction with semantic standards (such as JSON-LD) to enhance the machine understanding of product data in the context of circular economy goals, traceability, and sustainability.
Why it matters
For businesses building or integrating Digital Product Passports, understanding and utilizing JSON correctly is crucial. Whether you're developing a DPP API, uploading data to a regulatory platform, or integrating with suppliers and third parties — JSON will likely be the format used to package and deliver your product information.