Everything you need to know about the Digital Product Passport (DPP), in one place
Complete Information Guide to the Digital Product Passport (DPP)
Complete Information Guide on the Digital Product Passport (DPP)
What is the Digital Product Passport?
The DPP was created under the umbrella of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) of the European Union.
This system addresses several key challenges:
- Lack of transparency in complex supply chains.
- Difficulty in measuring the real environmental impact of products.
- Need to support circular business models, based on repair, reuse and recycling.
Thanks to the DPP, products will no longer be black boxes. Consumers will know, for example, if a phone was manufactured with recycled minerals, if its battery has been replaced, or what its carbon footprint is.
Companies, for their part, will be able to monitor and optimize each phase of the product life cycle.
What information does a DPP contain?
Specific content may vary by sector, but common elements include:
Basic product information
- Trade name, model, serial number or batch number
- Manufacturing date and estimated duration
- Warranty and conditions of use
Information about materials
- Origin of raw materials and components
- Percentage of recycled or critical materials
- Information on hazardous or conflicting substances
Repairability and maintenance
- Repairability Index
- Repair and replacement history
- Availability of spare parts and manuals
End of useful life
- Recycling instructions
- Possibility of reuse or remanufacturing
Sustainability indicators
- Carbon and energy footprint
- Environmental impact in production, use and disposal phases
Ownership and transfers
- Ownership history for durable or resalable goods
Accessibility and data protection
- Personalized access based on user profile
- Protecting sensitive information through encryption or zero-knowledge proofs
Who is obligated to implement the DPP?
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From the date the ESPR comes into force (July 2024), all companies that manufacture, import or market regulated products in the EU will have to implement DPPs, regardless of their country of origin.
The first sectors to be required to include:
- Batteries (industrial and electric vehicle) – from 2026
- Textiles (clothing and footwear) – from 2027-2030
- Consumer electronics – from 2027-2030
- Construction products – from 2027-2030
- Furniture, paints, detergents, chemicals, lubricants, tires and packaging – from 2027-2030
How is a DPP system implemented?
Step 1: Centralize product information
Companies must consolidate all technical, environmental, and usage information from design to end of life. The use of product information management (PIM) systems or traceability software is recommended.
Step 2: Collaborate with suppliers
Traceability is only possible if suppliers share data on raw materials, working conditions, and processes. It is vital to include transparency clauses in contracts.
Step 3: Use appropriate technologies
The DPP can be integrated into a product using common technologies (QR, RFID, NFC), while the digital infrastructure can leverage blockchain technologies to ensure security and decentralization.
Step 4: Automate processes
Much of this data already exists in corporate ERP systems. Using traceability software, this data can be automatically integrated into the DPP system, reducing errors and costs.
Step 5: Ensure data security
To prevent sensitive information (such as chemical formulas or designs) from being exposed, encryption methods or techniques like zero-knowledge proofs are used, which allow compliance to be demonstrated without revealing data.
What benefits does DPP offer?
For companies
- Regulatory compliance
- Better environmental reputation
- Access to new markets and customers
- Product design and life cycle optimization
- New business models (servitization, recycling, buyback)
For consumers
- Greater confidence in the products
- Ability to compare sustainability and durability
- It facilitates repair, resale, and recycling.
For society and the planet
- Reducing waste and using resources
- Incentive for the circular economy
- Greater visibility on labor and social practices
Strategic opportunities
- Competitive advantage: Brands that adopt the DPP early will be able to position themselves as leaders in sustainability.
- Innovation in durable products: The DPP encourages competition on quality, durability and efficiency, rather than on volume and obsolescence.
- Real circular economy: It allows for the design of products intended for reuse, repair, and recycling from the outset.
Conclusion
The Digital Product Passport is much more than a technological tool: it's a lever for transformation toward a more transparent, ethical, and sustainable economy. While its implementation presents significant challenges, it also opens up historic opportunities for companies that dare to lead the change.
Digital Product Passport Preparation Checklist
Is your company ready to meet the new European requirements?
Use this checklist as a quick self-assessment guide to determine your level of readiness for the implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP).
1. Traceability of materials and components
☐ Can you identify the origin of all raw materials used?
☐ Do you have traceability of intermediate suppliers and their practices?
☐ Do you document the use of recycled or critical materials?
2. Centralized product data management
☐ Do you use a PIM, ERP, or PLM system to collect and manage product information?
☐ Is the information structured, up-to-date, and accessible to key teams?
☐ Can you easily generate reports on a product's lifecycle?
3. Environmental impact and circularity
☐ Do you measure the carbon footprint or environmental impact of your products?
☐ Do you track the recyclability or reuse potential of components?
☐ Do you have data on the product’s end-of-life handling?
4. Compliance and certifications
☐ Are your products compliant with current EU regulations (e.g., Ecodesign, REACH)?
☐ Do you maintain updated documentation of certifications and standards?
☐ Is this information digitally accessible and verifiable?
5. Digital infrastructure and interoperability
☐ Do you have systems capable of generating and sharing digital passports?
☐ Is your data formatted according to EU interoperability standards?
☐ Can your systems integrate with external platforms or regulatory databases?
6. Internal alignment and training
☐ Are your teams informed about the DPP and its implications?
☐ Have you designated roles or responsibilities for DPP implementation?
☐ Do you offer training or resources to support internal adoption?
7. Strategic planning and roadmap
☐ Have you defined a timeline for DPP compliance?
☐ Is DPP integration part of your sustainability or digital strategy?
☐ Are you collaborating with partners or industry groups on DPP initiatives?
Result
✅ 15–21 affirmative answers: You are very well prepared! You can position yourself as a leader in sustainability and compliance.
🟡 8–14 affirmative answers: You’re on the right track, but you need to close some key gaps.
🔴 0–7 affirmative answers: It’s important to take urgent action to avoid regulatory or commercial risks.
Digital Product Passport: clear and reliable information
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The Digital Product Passport (DPP) will be mandatory in Europe starting next year. It is a digital tool that offers transparency, sustainability, and traceability for every product.
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Informative website about DPP
Implementation of practical resources
Digital guides and tools
At RFID Master Group, we provide you with all the information and technological resources you need to implement DPP.
