Digital Product Passport: Key to Transparency and Sustainability
Laws and regulations
With the new European Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR), the Digital Product Passport (DPP) becomes a central tool for increased transparency along value chains. It consolidates information about materials, origin, use, and disposal, making it digitally accessible. This ensures better traceability that helps not only companies meet regulatory requirements but also enables consumers to make more sustainable choices.
The DPP is also a driver of a functioning circular economy as it documents the entire life cycle of a product. Companies, authorities, and consumers gain access to reliable data that creates ecological and economic benefits.
The Most Important Points at a Glance
Since July 2024, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) has been in effect and forms the legal basis for the Digital Product Passport.
The first work plan 2025–2030 was published in April 2025. It identifies prioritized product groups such as batteries, textiles, tires, and furniture.
As of February 2027, the digital battery passport will be mandatory. Further product groups will follow gradually through delegated acts.
Companies should start now with data management, IT infrastructure, and pilot projects to be prepared.
What is meant by the Digital Product Passport?
The Digital Product Passport is a structured dataset that maps the entire life cycle of a product. It includes both technical and ecological information—from the composition of materials to repairability to CO₂ balances and recycling pathways.
Access is provided through digital labels such as QR codes, RFID, or NFC. The data is stored in a European registry which is being built step by step. Principles such as data sovereignty regulate who can access which information.
Why is a Product Passport Necessary?
A product passport creates transparency about materials, origin, and processes. Consumers receive better information for purchasing decisions, while companies can better manage supply chain risks.
Especially in the context of the European Green Deal, the DPP is a central tool for the circular economy. It supports more efficient use of resources, strengthens recycling, and prevents greenwashing.
Advantages at a Glance:
Traceability of materials and supply chains
Support for legal sustainability goals
Facilitation of repair, reuse, and disposal
Strengthening of market supervision by authorities
Digital Documentation Obligations for Companies
With the ESPR, the Digital Product Passport becomes mandatory through delegated acts for individual product groups. Companies will need to provide data that goes beyond technical characteristics and includes ecological and social aspects.
This includes:
Raw material and origin data
Environmental indicators (e.g., CO₂ emissions, water consumption)
Durability, repairability, expandability
Recycling information including ingredients and dismantling instructions
Evidence of labor and social standards
Opportunities and Challenges
The introduction of the DPP requires investments in data management, IT interfaces, and process structures. The quality of information along complex supply chains will be a central challenge. At the same time, the DPP opens up significant opportunities:
More transparency for consumers
Proof of sustainable production methods
Basis for ESG reporting and CSRD reports
New business models around recycling, repair, and reuse
The ESPR Timeline 2025–2030
The implementation of the DPP will take place gradually. The work plan published in April 2025 sets priorities that will be specified by delegated acts.
Year / Period | Measure / Status | Product Groups |
2024 | The ESPR comes into effect | All product groups (framework) |
2025 | Work plan 2025–2030 published | Prioritization defined |
by 2027 | Establishment of EU DPP registry, first standards | Preparation |
February 18, 2027 | Battery passport becomes mandatory | EV, LMT, and industrial batteries > 2 kWh |
2027 (indicative) | Delegated acts expected | Textiles, tires |
2028 (indicative) | Delegated acts expected | Furniture, mattresses |
2029–2030 | Mid-term evaluation and expansion | Further product groups, adjustments |
The Commission has announced that a mid-term evaluation will take place in 2028. This will examine functionality, data quality, and possible extensions to additional product groups.
Action Areas for Companies
Build Data Management
Establish structures early on to reliably capture material and sustainability data.Prepare IT Infrastructure
Set up systems for digital identification and data exchange.Integrate Supply Chains
Involve suppliers in processes and establish common standards.Launch Pilot Projects
Gather experience in prioritized product groups before the regulation becomes binding.Link ESG Reporting
Use DPP data to substantively fulfill sustainability reports and CSRD requirements.
PCF as Preparation for the Product Passport
The DPP will make central environmental information—including CO₂ footprint—digitally available and gradually mandatory. The EU will define which data becomes mandatory in the DPP on a product-specific basis; the battery passport already shows that product-related emissions can be an integral part of a product passport. Anyone who consistently builds robust data for Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) and clearly links it to products or variants now creates the foundation for the later filling of the passport fields: less integration effort, smoother data exchange along the supply chain, and quicker fulfillment of audit and reporting requirements. In short: A well-maintained PCF inventory puts companies in a DPP-ready position early.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Digital Product Passport (DPP)
What is the Digital Product Passport?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a structured, digitally accessible dataset that documents the entire life cycle of a product with technical and ecological information.
Why is a Digital Product Passport necessary?
It creates reliable transparency, supports circular economy and market supervision, and helps consumers and companies make better decisions and avoid greenwashing.
What information does the Digital Product Passport contain and how is access provided?
It can include raw material and origin, environmental indicators such as CO₂ and water, durability, repairability, recycling pathways, and evidence of social standards. Access is provided via QR codes, RFID, or NFC, while the data resides in a European registry with regulated data sovereignty.
When does the obligation take effect and which product groups are affected?
The regulation has been in effect since July 2024, and the work plan 2025 to 2030 has been published since April 2025. As of February 18, 2027, the battery passport will be mandatory, with other product groups following gradually through delegated acts.
How is the Digital Product Passport related to the Product Carbon Footprint?
The product passport serves as a carrier of product data, and the Product Carbon Footprint is a central environmental metric that may need to appear in the passport depending on the product group.
What should companies do now?
They should prepare data management and IT, integrate supply chains, launch pilot projects, and build reliable PCF data to efficiently enable later filling of the product passport.
ℹ️ This article is based on the status as of August 2025. Final regulations are still pending.
Sources (Accessed: August 2025)
EUR‑Lex: Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 – Framework for Ecodesign Requirements for Sustainable Products (ESPR)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj/eng
European Commission: Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation – Overview (including DPP introduction)
https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en
EUR‑Lex: COM(2025) 187 final – Work Plan 2025–2030 (ESPR & Energy Consumption Labeling; prioritized product groups)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0187
EUR‑Lex: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 – Batteries and Waste Batteries (Battery Passport from 18.02.2027; EV, LMT & Industrial Batteries > 2 kWh)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj/eng
European Commission (Green Forum): Implementing the ESPR – Digital Product Passport (Registry, data carriers, access rights)
https://green-forum.ec.europa.eu/implementing-ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en
