Digital product passports – what they are and why they matter

Why digital product passports are coming

Digital product passports are a central part of the European Green Deal and the proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The aim is to improve sustainability, traceability and resource efficiency throughout the entire product life cycle.

The regulation will gradually become mandatory for selected product groups starting in 2026, beginning with sectors that have a high environmental impact, such as electronics, textiles and construction materials. Manufacturers and importers will be required to provide standardised product data in digital format – covering everything from material content and carbon footprint to repairability and disposal.

By improving data transparency, the regulation intends to support more circular business models, empower consumers to make sustainable choices and simplify compliance across the internal market.

What is a digital product passport?

A digital product passport is a digital record that contains verified information about a specific product and follows it throughout its life cycle. Unlike traditional labels or documentation, the DPP is machine-readable, structured and continuously updatable. It acts as a living data source that can be accessed via a unique identifier – for instance, a QR code or serial number – and is designed to serve different stakeholders: from consumers and service providers to recyclers and regulators.

Importantly, the passport is product-specific. It should contain detailed data about that exact unit – not just generic information about a product type. And it needs to follow common data standards to ensure interoperability across platforms, industries and borders.

What kind of information will it contain?

While the exact data structure will vary between product categories, a typical passport is expected to include:

• basic product identifiers such as brand, model and serial number

• material composition, with a breakdown of substances and components

• environmental performance metrics like carbon footprint or energy efficiency

• guidance on repairability, including spare part availability and disassembly

• information on origin and manufacturing, including suppliers and certifications

• end-of-life handling instructions, such as recycling or take-back schemes

• declarations of conformity and regulatory compliance where applicable

Over time, additional data may be added as the product moves through its life cycle – for example, during repair, resale or disposal.

Why it matters – beyond compliance

For many organisations, the DPP is more than just a compliance exercise. It can be a strategic enabler that unlocks new value across the product’s life cycle.

One clear benefit is improved supply chain transparency. With harmonised, accessible data, companies can more easily track materials and ensure responsible sourcing. Internally, a centralised data structure simplifies collaboration between departments – for example between sustainability, legal, product development and customer support.

It also strengthens customer trust. Consumers increasingly expect transparency around origin, durability and environmental footprint – especially in B2C contexts. With a DPP, that information becomes both verifiable and accessible at the point of purchase or use.

In the long term, the passport also lays the groundwork for more circular business models – such as leasing, repair services or material recovery – where product data needs to be traceable even after the point of sale.

Challenges to prepare for

Introducing digital product passports will require both technical and organisational readiness. Data collection is one of the major hurdles. Many companies lack structured, high-quality data on their products – especially when information comes from multiple suppliers, each with different formats or systems.

Another challenge is systems integration. Existing IT infrastructure may not be designed to manage product-specific metadata at scale, nor to publish it externally in real time. Governance will also be key: who owns the data, how it is verified, and how changes are handled over time.

Finally, there is the question of cost. Implementing a scalable passport solution involves investment – not only in technology, but in processes, training and stakeholder alignment.

What your organisation can do today

Preparing for digital product passports starts with understanding your current data landscape. What product information do you already have? Where is it stored, and in what format? Are there gaps – for instance, in material composition or repair data – that need to be addressed?

Next, consider your data infrastructure. Can your current systems manage structured product data and link it to external identifiers? If not, it may be time to start evaluating digital platforms or partners that can help you prepare.

It’s also wise to start engaging relevant departments internally. Legal, sustainability, product development and IT will all play a role in ensuring compliance and value creation.

Lastly, keep an eye on your industry. Because much of the implementation will be standardised at sector level, there may be opportunities to participate in pilot projects, contribute to standards development or collaborate with supply chain partners early on.