Understanding the Digital Product Passport (DPP)

The European Union is preparing a major shift in how products are documented and traced. By 2030, every item placed on the EU market will need to be accompanied by a Digital Product Passport — a structured digital record that provides key information about a product’s environmental impact, composition, and end-of-life options.

This data will be accessible to consumers through a QR code or similar technology, ensuring that sustainability insights are available directly at the point of use.

What the DPP aims to achieve

The Digital Product Passport is designed to give products a more transparent and traceable lifecycle.

Beyond basic sustainability metrics, the passport will also guide users on:

• how to maintain and repair the product

• how it can be reused

• how it should be recycled

The goal is clear: extend product lifespans, improve circularity, and empower consumers with reliable sustainability information — in their native language.

What Information a Digital Product Passport Will Contain

Although some details are still being finalized, GS1 and EU

Getting Started with Digital Product Passports (DPP)

The EU is rolling out Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to make products more sustainable and transparent. By 2030, every product sold in the EU will need a DPP, starting with textiles and clothing in 2027. The passport provides key sustainability information through a QR code or similar technology, helping consumers make informed choices and promoting a circular economy.

1. Gather Your Data

Start by identifying what information you already have and what’s missing. Key data for DPPs typically includes:

• Product ID and description

• Materials used and their origin

• Environmental impact (CO₂ emissions)

• Supply chain and transportation info

• Care, repair, and reuse instructions

• Certifications and brand information

Even if you don’t have all this data yet, there are AI tools, consultants, and lifecycle assessment methods that can help.

2. Manage Your Data

Once collected,

EU REGULATORY ROADMAP

The European Union is rolling out Digital Product Passports (DPPs) as part of its Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The goal is to make products more sustainable, transparent, and easier to repair, reuse, or recycle. Every product sold in the EU will eventually need a DPP, providing a digital record of key information about the product’s materials, lifecycle, and environmental impact.

Why DPPs are important

DPPs aim to:

Business Opportunities with Digital Product Passports (DPP)

Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are digital records attached to products that show information about materials, environmental impact, repair options, and more. While their main goal is sustainability and transparency, they also open exciting marketing opportunities for brands.

Why DPPs matter for marketing