What is a Digital Product Passport?

The new EU standard for product transparency, traceability, and compliance — and why every product entering Europe will need one.

What is a Digital Product Passport?

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a structured digital record that contains key information about a product's composition, origin, repairability, and end-of-life handling.

Under the EU's ESPR regulation, DPPs will be mandatory for products placed on the EU market — accessible via a QR code, RFID, or other data carrier linked to each individual product or batch.

What data does a DPP contain?

• Product identification and manufacturer details
• Materials composition and substances of concern (SVHCs above 0.1%)
• Carbon footprint data
• Repair and disassembly instructions
• Recycled content percentages
• End-of-life and recycling guidance

Who needs to create a DPP?

The manufacturer is responsible. If the manufacturer is outside the EU, the importer inherits the full obligation.

Key dates

• July 2026: EU DPP registry goes live
• February 2027: Battery passports mandatory for EV/industrial batteries
• 2027–2030: Product-specific DPP requirements phased in by category

Common misconceptions

• DPPs do not require blockchain — the EU is explicitly technology-neutral
• DPPs are not optional — they are a legal requirement for market access
• DPP data must remain accessible beyond the company's lifespan

Sources

• Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR), Articles 9–13 (Digital Product Passport requirements) — EUR-Lex