Digital Product Passport: Key to Transparency and Sustainability

With the new European Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR), the Digital Product Passport (DPP) becomes a central tool for greater transparency along the value chains. It consolidates information about materials, origin, usage, and disposal, making it digitally accessible. This results in better traceability, which not only helps companies comply with regulatory requirements but also enables consumers to make more sustainable decisions.

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 create ecological and economic benefits.

In a nutshell

• Since July 2024, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is in effect and forms the legal basis for the Digital Product Passport.

• The first work plan 2025–2030 was published in April 2025. It names prioritized product groups such as batteries, textiles, tires, and furniture.

• From February 2027, the digital battery passport will be mandatory. Other product groups will follow gradually through delegated acts.

• Companies should now begin with data management, IT infrastructure, and pilot projects to be prepared.

What is the Digital Product Passport?

The Digital Product Passport is a structured data set that maps the entire life cycle of a product. It includes both technical and ecological information—from material composition to reparability, CO₂ balance, and recycling pathways.

Access is granted via digital labels such as QR codes, RFID, or NFC. The data is stored in a European registry that 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 manage their supply chain risks more effectively.

Particularly in the context of the European Green Deal, the DPP is a central instrument for the circular economy. It helps to use resources more efficiently, strengthen recycling, and prevent greenwashing.

Advantages at a Glance:

• Traceability of materials and supply chains

• Support for legal sustainability goals

• Facilitation of repair, reuse, and disposal

• Strengthening market surveillance by authorities

Digital Reporting Obligations for Companies

With the ESPR, the Digital Product Passport will become mandatory for specific product groups through delegated acts. Companies must provide data that goes beyond technical properties and includes ecological and social aspects.

This includes:

• Raw material and origin data

• Environmental indicators (e.g., CO₂ emissions, water consumption)

• Durability, reparability, upgradability

• Recycling information including ingredients and disassembly instructions

• Proof 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 offers significant opportunities:

• More transparency for consumers

• Proof of sustainable production methods

• Basis for ESG reporting and CSRD reports

• New business models related to recycling, repair, and reuse

The ESPR Timeline 2025–2030

The implementation of the DPP will take place step by step. The work plan published in April 2025 sets priorities that will be specified by delegated acts.

The Commission has announced a mid-term evaluation in 2028. This will examine functionality, data quality, and possible expansions to additional product groups.

Action Areas for Companies

1. Establish data management
   Build structures early on to reliably collect material and sustainability data.

2. Prepare IT infrastructure
   Set up systems for digital identification and data exchange.

3. Integrate supply chains
   Involve suppliers in processes and establish common standards.

4. Start pilot projects
   Gather experience in prioritized product groups before regulation becomes binding.

5. Link ESG reporting
   Utilize DPP data to substantiate sustainability reports and CSRD requirements.

PCF as Preparation for the Product Passport

The DPP will make central environmental information—including carbon footprint—digitally available and gradually mandatory. The EU will specify 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. Those who consistently build robust Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data now and clearly link it to products or variants establish the foundation for later filling the passport fields: reduced integration effort, smooth data exchange along the supply chain, and faster fulfillment of audit and reporting requirements. In short: A well-maintained PCF inventory puts companies early in a DPP-ready position.

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 data set 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 a 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 granted?
It can contain raw material and origin, environmental indicators such as CO₂ and water, durability, reparability, recycling pathways, as well as proofs of social standards. Access is granted via QR codes, RFID, or NFC, while the data is stored in a European registry with regulated data sovereignty.

When does the obligation apply, 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. From February 18, 2027, the battery passport will be mandatory, and other product groups will follow gradually through delegated acts.

How does the Digital Product Passport relate to the Product Carbon Footprint?
The product passport serves as a carrier of product data, and the Product Carbon Footprint is a central environmental indicator that may be required 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, start pilot projects, and build reliable PCF data to enable efficient loading of the product passport later.

ℹ️ This article is based on the status as of August 2025. The final provisions are still pending.

Sources (Access: 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 carrier, access rights)
https://green-forum.ec.europa.eu/implementing-ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en