What is in this product? Where do the materials come from? How can it be repaired or recycled?
These questions are becoming increasingly relevant at a time when we are increasingly aware of climate change and resource scarcity. The European Commission is therefore introducing the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as part of the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
This digital passport transforms how products are designed, used and recycled. For your organization, this represents both a new obligation and a strategic opportunity.
What exactly is a Digital Product Passport?
A Digital Product Passport is a digital record that collects and makes available all essential information about a product throughout its life cycle. It acts as a digital identity card for physical products, accessible via a QR code, RFID tag or other identifier.
The DPP contains detailed information on:
- Material composition and origin of raw materials
- Production locations and processes.
- Environmental footprint(carbon footprint, water consumption, resource consumption)
- Repair and maintenance instructions
- Disassembly and recycling options
- Presence of harmful substances (such as REACH substances).
- Instructions for use and expected lifetime
- Certificates and declarations of conformity
Depending on who is accessing the passport – consumer, repairer, recycler or regulator – relevant information is displayed in a tailored fashion. The passport continues to track the product throughout its life cycle and can be supplemented with information about repairs or upgrades.
The ESPR: More than just a legislative framework
The DPP, as mentioned, is an important part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. This ESPR will come into force in stages starting in 2025 and will impose new requirements on companies placing physical products on the European market.
Four essential pillars form the basis of this new European law:
- Eco-design: Mandatory requirements for durability, repairability and recyclability
- Sustainable procurement: Stricter criteria for government buyers
- Ban on destruction: unsold products may no longer be destroyed
- Digital Product Passport: Linking product information to a unique identifier
The ESPR was further developed in an initial work plan in April 2025, which included the following products and material types:
- Textile
- Furniture
- Tires
- Mattresses
- Iron & steel
- Aluminum
- Energy related products
Given the phased implementation starting in 2026, it is important for companies to prepare early.
The benefits of DPPs
The Digital Product Passport offers benefits to all involved:
For consumers
- Reliable information on sustainability
- Access to repair and maintenance instructions
- Informed purchasing decisions
DPP opportunities for producers and suppliers
- Better traceability of raw materials
- Substantiation of sustainability claims
- Easier to comply with legislation
For recyclers and repairers
- Detailed information on material composition
- Specific disassembly instructions
- Understanding harmful substances
Implementing a Digital Product Passport in your organization in 5 steps
Implementing a Digital Product Passport requires a thoughtful approach. We believe the following five steps are necessary for a successful implementation.
Step 1: Engage stakeholders and determine data ownership
Start by mapping all the stakeholders in your product chains. From suppliers to recyclers, everyone has a role in the DPP ecosystem. There is often a lack of full transparency in the chain, which makes this step challenging. A practical approach is to start small with your direct partners and from there expand step by step to the full chain. By making clear agreements about who supplies and manages what data, you lay a solid foundation for the next steps.
Step 2: Gather the right product data
Now that you know who should provide what information, it’s time to collect the actual data. First, inventory what information is already available within your organization and what data is still missing. A common challenge is that data is not detailed enough or is provided in different formats. Therefore, start by leveraging existing product databases as a starting point. This will give you a running start and provide insight into what additional information still needs to be collected for a complete passport.
Step 3: Choose your digital identification and platform
For a working DPP system, you need a reliable method to identify products and a platform to manage the information. The technological complexity can be a tad overwhelming, with choices between QR codes, RFID tags, blockchain applications and more. For many organizations, a QR code proves to be the most approachable and cost-effective starter solution. This technology is widely accessible, easy to implement and can later be expanded to include more advanced identification methods as your system matures.
Step 4: Arrange access rights and interoperability
A critical aspect of the DPP is determining who gets access to what information. A consumer has different needs than a recycler or regulator. Design an access rights system that offers tailored information to different users. The biggest challenge here is the still evolving standards at the EU level. By working with open standards and flexible APIs, you keep your system adaptable for future developments. This way you avoid costly modifications when the final EU directives are adopted.
Step 5: Commit to monitoring and tracking
A DPP is not a static document but evolves with the product throughout its life cycle. Develop processes to update the passport after repairs, upgrades or ownership transfers. The challenge lies in ensuring data continuity, especially when products cross organizational boundaries. Automating updates at key milestones in the product lifecycle, such as maintenance or returns, keeps information accurate and valuable to all involved.
Getting started with the DPP yourself
The Digital Product Passport offers a unique opportunity to future-proof your organization. By starting to prepare now, you will take a head start on competitors.
Empact helps you implement pragmatically and result-oriented. We build on your existing knowledge, share our expertise and make ourselves redundant step by step. Because real impact is created when sustainability becomes part of your corporate DNA.
Want to learn more about how your organization can prepare for the Digital Product Passport? Please visit contact us for an informal discussion.