On July 20, the European Union took a giant leap forward with the launch of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry, the European infrastructure that will record the unique identifiers associated with each passport. It is, so to speak, the digital ID card for products marketed in the European Union. It is a form of identification designed to improve traceability and drive progress toward circularity and environmental sustainability, and it is being rolled out gradually.
The DPP is legally grounded in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), a set of rules designed to transform the traditional linear manufacturing model into one based on recycling and upcycling, through the recovery of materials and components that used to be thrown away, turning them into new raw materials.
It works as a mandatory electronic record and an interactive identity card for consumer goods, with an accessible, standardized system for businesses. The European Commission has already taken a crucial step by activating the Digital Product Passport Registry, the central database that will manage the unique identifiers carried by each item.
What information does the DPP contain?
The first major block of information in the DPP focuses on the product’s materials and composition. Depending on the sector and applicable regulations, it may include data on components, substances of concern, recycled content, and environmental performance. This information must also be reliable, verifiable, and accessible in digital format.
The second key pillar is origin and supply chain traceability. The passport will record information about where raw materials come from and the key stages of the product’s life cycle. This will make it possible to understand the footprint associated with logistics and transportation and to ensure that the product was manufactured in compliance with legal standards both inside and outside Europe’s borders.
Third is the product’s durability and repairability; in other words, its service life. The DPP moves away from traditional paper assembly manuals, which are easy to misplace, and instead gives users, repairers, and recyclers access to information on disassembly, repair, and spare parts. Depending on the product, the DPP may include technical diagrams, repair instructions, or information on component availability. It reflects the philosophy of ecodesign as the new industrial reality: manufacturing for reuse and recycling.
Finally, the Digital Product Passport will provide relevant information about what to do when the item reaches the end of its service life. In this way, it can offer guidance on options for reuse, repair, recovery, recycling, or proper waste management, depending on the product’s characteristics and the applicable sector regulations.
How is it accessed, and what is the timeline?
Manufacturers will build technologies such as QR codes, NFC chips, or RFID tags into the product’s design, packaging, or labels. All it will take is the camera on a smartphone, tablet, or any other smart device or compatible reader to open a dynamic portal with real-time data for that specific unit.
However, as explained by the European Commission’s Digital Product Passport page, the regulations may establish different levels of access for businesses, repairers, and public authorities. As a result, certain users will be able to view more detailed technical documentation, such as diagrams, specifications, or data needed for repair and recycling.
It will be rolled out gradually, in phases, over the next decade. In the fourth quarter of 2026, the European Commission expects to adopt industry-specific requirements for iron and steel. Another milestone is set for February 2027, when it will become mandatory for electric vehicle and industrial batteries as well as light means of transport such as e-scooters and e-bikes.
Over the coming year, sector-specific requirements are expected to be adopted for other sectors such as construction materials, the textile industry (apparel and footwear), and tires, although the actual obligations will apply only after the relevant transition period. Between 2028 and 2029, it is expected to expand to furniture, mattresses, ICT products (information and communication technology), and consumer electronics.
In short, with the Digital Product Passport, the EU is laying the foundations for a common information system for the products sold on its market. Its gradual implementation will help move toward a more circular economy by promoting traceability, repair, and recycling.
