JSON-LD: The Data Format Behind DPPs

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What Is JSON-LD?

JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data) is a method of encoding linked data using JSON. It extends standard JSON with a context that maps property names to well-defined vocabularies, making the data both human-readable and machine-interpretable.

For Digital Product Passports, JSON-LD provides the ideal format because it is lightweight, widely supported by web technologies, and inherently supports the semantic richness needed for regulatory data exchange.

How JSON-LD Works in DPPs

A DPP expressed in JSON-LD includes a @context section that defines the vocabulary, a @type that identifies what kind of entity is being described, and properties that carry the actual product data. For example, material composition, environmental footprint, and compliance declarations are all expressed as structured properties with unambiguous meanings.

The @context links each property name to a standard definition, so when one system writes "recycledContent" and another reads it, both understand it refers to the same concept with the same units and methodology.

Advantages Over Other Formats

JSON-LD offers several advantages for DPP use cases:

• Web-native: works seamlessly with HTTP and modern web APIs
• Self-describing: context makes data unambiguous without external documentation
• Compatible with search engines and existing JSON tooling
• Supports linking across datasets, connecting DPPs to external resources
• More concise than XML while retaining semantic precision

JSON-LD in Practice

When a regulator, supply chain partner, or software system accesses a DPP, they can request the JSON-LD representation through content negotiation. The structured data enables automated compliance checking, data aggregation across supply chains, and integration with enterprise systems.

MyProductPassport serves DPP data in JSON-LD format via content negotiation, ensuring your product passports are machine-readable and interoperable with any standards-compliant system.