Understanding the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Regulation
Get ahead of the EU Digital Product Passport. Discover what’s required and how CLC turns compliance into a competitive edge with real-time asset data.
Written by
Xandra
The way we manage product data in Europe is about to change radically. To support the circular economy and boost supply chain transparency, the EU is introducing a Digital Product Passport (DPP). This new regulation will soon require businesses to track and share detailed product information, from raw materials to recycling.¹
Tied to the EU’s broader Digital Transition and Data Spaces agenda, the DPP combines traceability, chain of custody, collaboration and secure data exchange into one future-proof framework. It lays the groundwork for a connected, transparent and fully accountable supply chain; not just for compliance, but for circular innovation at scale.² The DPP isn’t just a standalone initiative. It’s part of a much larger shift in how we manage, share and trust product data across the entire value chain.
What’s inside a Digital Product Passport?
The DPP contains structured, machine-readable data accessible to all relevant stakeholders. This includes manufacturers, logistics partners, retailers, recyclers and consumers. The result: greater transparency, smarter decision-making and seamless collaboration across the product’s journey.
Each DPP will typically include:
Information on product materials and components:
Detailing the resources used and their origins.Manufacturing and origin data:
Providing insights into where and how the product was made.Environmental and carbon footprint indicators:
Quantifying the product's environmental impact throughout its lifecycle.Repairability and reuse information:
Guiding consumers and repair services on how to extend the product's lifespan.End-of-life instructions for recycling or disposal:
Ensuring proper handling once the product is no longer in use.
Who needs to comply with the DPP regulation?
As the European Union pushes toward more sustainable and circular production models, a new regulation is set to reshape how product data is managed and shared across industries. The Digital Product Passport (DPP), part of the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), will require businesses to provide detailed, digital records for their products.³ This digital passport contains structured data about a product’s origin, materials, environmental footprint, repairability and end-of-life handling. It follows the product through its entire lifecycle. This means companies will need to track and share structured data on a product’s origin, composition, environmental footprint and end-of-life handling, from production to recycling.
DPP timelines and sector priorities
The DPP regulation is a cornerstone of the broader ESPR framework and will be rolled out gradually, impacting different industries in phases. While the full implementation is expected by 2030⁷, specific high-impact product categories are are scheduled for earlier adoption, starting between 2025 and 2027⁴:
Batteries (industrial, automotive, EV batteries)⁴
Electronics (consumer electronics, ICT equipment)⁵
Textiles and apparel (including footwear)⁵
Furniture⁵
Chemicals⁴
If your business operates in one of these sectors, or is an integral part of a related supply chain that supplies these industries, you’ll need to be DPP-ready in the very near future. Even if your specific sector isn't immediately targeted, early preparation can help you stay competitive, future-proof your operations and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability that resonates with customers and partners alike.
Key requirements of a Digital Product Passport
To comply with the digital product passport regulation, businesses need to capture and share detailed product information in a secure and standardized format.
Each product passport must be:
Machine-readable via standardized data carriers:
This means data must be accessible through universal methods like QR codes, RFID tags, or NFC, allowing for efficient scanning and information retrieval.⁶Always up to date:
The DPP must dynamically reflect lifecycle changes in real-time, from manufacturing updates to repair history and eventual recycling efforts.Uniquely identifiable:
Each product needs a traceable, unique product ID that links it directly to its digital passport.⁶Secure and selectively shareable:
Data access must be controlled, ensuring different stakeholders (e.g., manufacturers, recyclers, consumers) see only the relevant information pertinent to their role, protecting sensitive data while ensuring transparency.
These requirements raise critical questions for many organizations grappling with traditional data management systems:
How do we effectively collect and structure this vast amount of diverse product data?
How can we automate the process to keep product passports updated continuously and accurately?
How do we ensure the right stakeholders see the right information while maintaining data security and compliance?
What are the options for getting DPP-ready?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to DPP compliance, as different organizations will have varying existing systems, product complexities and supply chain structures.
Current options being explored by businesses include:
ERP integrations with DPP modules:
Leveraging existing Enterprise Resource Planning systems by adding modules for DPP data management.Blockchain platforms:
These store product data in a shared, tamper-proof system/ledger that all supply chain partners can access. This ensures transparency and trust, even in complex, multi-party networks.IoT-based digital twins:
Implementing solutions that use smart sensors and IoT infrastructure for real-time data capture and automation.Cloud-based DPP software:
Adopting specialized Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms built specifically for DPP compliance and facilitating supply chain collaboration.Manual systems or spreadsheets:
While not scalable or efficient for most businesses, some smaller SMEs might initially attempt manual data collection, though this is unsustainable for comprehensive compliance.
For companies looking to automate, scale their compliance efforts and gain tangible operational benefits beyond simply meeting regulations, a digital twin combined with robust IoT infrastructure offers the most future-proof and operationally beneficial path.
At Connected Load Carrier, we provide an IoT-as-a-Service solution powered by digital twin technology, designed to streamline your path to DPP compliance and unlock real-time operational insights. To learn more about how our platform can transform your physical assets into active sources of data and help you meet regulatory demands, explore our full article on how how we utilize Digital Twin technology.
References
[1] EU Data Portal – What is the Digital Product Passport?
https://data.europa.eu/en/news-events/news/eus-digital-product-passport-advancing-transparency-and-sustainability?
[2] Circularise – Digital Product Passports: What, How and Why
https://www.circularise.com/blogs/digital-product-passports-dpp-what-how-and-why
[3] European Commission – Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en
[4] Bluestone PIM – Digital Product Passport sector rollout
https://www.bluestonepim.com/blog/digital-product-passport
[5] Protokol – Digital Product Passport complete guide
https://www.protokol.com/insights/digital-product-passport-complete-guide/
[6] Impinj – What Is a Digital Product Passport?
https://www.impinj.com/library/blog/what-is-a-digital-product-passport
[7] Circularise – Digital Product Passports: What, How and Why (timeline reference)
https://www.circularise.com/blogs/digital-product-passports-dpp-what-how-and-why
