Everything You Need to Know About the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP)

The EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) is set to become a cornerstone of Europe's move toward a sustainable and circular economy. Emerging from the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Product Regulation proposal of March 2022, the DPP initiative aims to transform how product data is gathered, shared, and used across the EU.

For testing, inspection, and certification professionals, understanding DPPs is essential—not only to support clients' compliance but to help shape future practices in sustainability and traceability.

What Is the Digital Product Passport?

The Digital Product Passport is a structured digital system that holds detailed information about a product's lifecycle—from design and manufacturing to reuse, repair, and recycling. Its purpose is to enhance sustainability, promote circular economy models, and ensure greater transparency across supply chains.

By 2030, the EU aims to reduce carbon emissions by 55% (from 1990 levels) and become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The DPP is a practical enabler in this broader sustainability vision.

Why Is the EU Introducing DPPs?

Under the proposed regulation, DPPs will become mandatory for several key sectors starting in 2026, with apparel, batteries, and consumer electronics among the first affected. Other sectors such as construction, chemicals, plastics, and automotive are expected to follow.

Notably, the only exemptions are food, feed, and pharmaceuticals.

While rooted in EU regulation, the DPP will have global implications. Any company placing products on the EU market must ensure compliance—making it a worldwide concern for manufacturers and certification bodies alike.

Key Objectives of the Digital Product Passport

The DPP framework is designed to:

• Enhance traceability of materials, components, and products.

• Enable circular business models, such as repair, reuse, and refurbishment.

• Support regulatory compliance, including conformity assessments and certification recognition.

• Empower consumers to make sustainable choices through access to verified product data.

This means a product's DPP may include details on:

• Origin and sourcing of raw materials.

• Environmental and safety certifications.

• Product performance and durability.

• Instructions for repair, reuse, or recycling.

• Presence of substances of concern.

Benefits for Businesses and Consumers

For Consumers

• Scan a product QR code to access repair instructions, sustainability data, and recycling options.

• Make informed choices based on environmental performance.

For Businesses

• Streamline compliance through centralised, accessible data.

• Increase supply chain transparency and sustainability reporting.

• Reduce risk of greenwashing by supporting accurate environmental claims.

How Will DPPs Be Implemented?

Implementation relies on a combination of standardisation, technology, and cross-industry cooperation. Some of the emerging requirements include:

• Unique Product Identifiers (UIDs) and data carriers compliant with ISO/IEC 15459:2015.

• Use of GS1 Digital Link to enable real-time consumer and supply chain interaction.

• Integration with EPCIS repositories for traceability of supply chain events.

• Systems that ensure secure, authorised data sharing and tamper-proof product identification.

These technical foundations are essential to guarantee data integrity, scalability, and interoperability across all product categories.

The Role of Traceability

Traceability is at the heart of the DPP concept. To achieve end-to-end visibility, digital tools must track every component and material throughout the supply chain.

Innovative platforms such as PSQR's Saga software already offer solutions for UID tracking and event capture, enabling:

• Real-time verification of origin, handling, and movement.

• Full lifecycle mapping of substances and materials.

• Seamless integration into sustainability, quality, and compliance workflows.

For certification professionals, this opens new avenues to verify compliance and advise on digital traceability strategies.

How Can Certification Professionals Prepare?

As DPPs become a regulatory requirement, testing, inspection, and certification professionals must be ready to:

• Understand the data and verification requirements for different product sectors.

• Support clients in integrating traceability tools and UID systems.

• Ensure alignment with ISO standards relevant to UID, digital data management, and supply chain security.

• Contribute to industry consultations shaping DPP specifications.

Conclusion: Driving the Future of Sustainable Certification

The EU Digital Product Passport is not just another compliance hurdle—it is a strategic tool that enables a smarter, greener economy. For professionals working in testing, inspection, and certification, it offers a chance to lead from the front.

At ITICP, we are closely monitoring developments and will continue to support our members with guidance, resources, and training to adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape.