Overview
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a standardised digital dataset that brings together information about a product’s origin, materials, repairability and recyclability. While many businesses still see it as a topic for the future, it is set to become a regulatory reality across the EU over the coming years.
With the ESPR, the EU is establishing the basis for requiring numerous products to have a Digital Product Passport in future. For manufacturers, brands and online retailers, this involves more than meeting new compliance requirements. It also increases the importance of consistent product information that is available across systems throughout the entire customer journey.
What is the Digital Product Passport?
What information does the Digital Product Passport contain?
- unique product, model and batch identification
- manufacturer information and supply chain data
- material composition, proportion of recycled materials and critical raw materials
- repairability, available spare parts and disassembly instructions
- conformity and compliance documentation
- disposal and recycling information
Which products will require a DPP, and when?
In its 2025 to 2030 ESPR working plan, the EU has prioritised the first product groups. These include batteries, textiles, tyres, furniture, mattresses and certain metal and electronic products. The DPP will be introduced gradually for each product group.
Product group
Textiles
Tyres
Aluminium
Furniture
Mattresses
Legal basis
Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
ESPR delegated act
ESPR delegated act
ESPR delegated act
ESPR delegated act
ESPR delegated act
ESPR delegated act
Indicative application date
18 February 2027
Adoption in 2026
Adoption in 2027
Adoption in 2027
Adoption in 2027
Adoption in 2028
Adoption in 2029
Product group / Legal basis / Indicative application date
Industrial, EV and LMT batteries over 2 kWh / Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 / 18 February 2027
Iron and steel / ESPR delegated act / Adoption in 2026
Textiles / ESPR delegated act / Adoption in 2027
Reifen / ESPR delegated act / Adoption in 2027
Aluminium / ESPR delegated act / Adoption in 2027
Möbel / ESPR delegated act / Adoption in 2028
Matratzen / ESPR delegated act / Adoption in 2029
Current status (July 2026): With the publication of the first six harmonised DPP standards in July 2026, the European Commission further clarified the technical implementation of the Digital Product Passport. These standards establish, for the first time, a common technical framework for data exchange, identification and interoperability of DPP systems.
What does the EU Commission aim to achieve with the DPP?
The DPP as part of the European Green Deal
“Our planet’s resources are finite, and we need to use them more consciously. Sustainable products should therefore become the standard in the EU.”
The Digital Product Passport is intended to make the necessary information available in a structured format and keep it accessible throughout the entire product lifecycle.
Why the DPP is intended to create greater transparency
The European Commission is pursuing several objectives at the same time. Consumers should be able to make better-informed purchasing decisions, businesses should establish more sustainable processes, and the waste management sector should be able to reuse materials more efficiently. The DPP will therefore become a key instrument for improving transparency and supporting the circular economy within the EU.
What does the Digital Product Passport mean for online retailers?
- Manufacturers will generally create the DPP, provide the required information and link it to the EU registry.
- Importers must ensure that every product imported into the EU has a compliant DPP.
- Retailers, including online retailers, must fulfil their due diligence obligations by ensuring that affected products meet the regulatory requirements.
The DPP as a data and process challenge
One point is already clear: the Digital Product Passport will not solely be a sustainability issue. For many businesses, it will primarily become a data and process challenge. Only companies that can manage product information centrally, consistently and accurately will be able to meet the future requirements efficiently.
Why the DPP requires centralised product data
How PIM systems can support businesses with the DPP
New data requirements can also be added flexibly, including information about recyclability, sustainable cultivation or durability. This allows businesses to manage sustainability information consistently and prepare gradually for upcoming regulatory requirements.
FAQ
When will the Digital Product Passport become mandatory?
What data will businesses need to provide for the DPP?
Who is liable if the DPP data is incorrect?
How much will the DPP cost?
The costs will depend on the product range, data quality and existing IT landscape. Businesses that already use a PIM system have completed the most significant part of the groundwork. Businesses that currently manage product data in Excel should use the introduction of the DPP as an opportunity to change this.