The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is part of the EU’s broader plan to make products more sustainable, circular, and resource-efficient. One of its key features is the Digital Product Passport (DPP), which will be introduced for several product categories (including textiles.)
For brands, the DPP introduces new requirements focused on traceability, data sharing, and overall product design.
What is the Digital Product Passport (DPP)?
The Digital Product Passport is a structured digital record that contains relevant and verified information about a product’s materials, production, performance, and sustainability characteristics.
The DPP is intended to:
Improve transparency across the product lifecycle
Support circular business models (e.g. repair, reuse, recycling),
Enable better-informed decisions by consumers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
The information will be accessible through a QR code or other digital link attached to the product.
When will the DPP become mandatory?
The DPP will be introduced gradually across product categories under ESPR.
Textiles and footwear have been identified as priority sectors.
The first DPP requirements are expected to be imposed starting in 2026–2027, depending on the adoption of delegated acts (product-specific rules).
Once in effect, all companies selling products in the EU, including non-EU brands, will be required to comply.
While final dates are still being defined, brands are encouraged to prepare early, as traceability systems and data collection take time to implement.
Who will use the DPP?
The DPP is designed to provide relevant information to different users across the product lifecycle:
Consumers – to make informed purchasing decisions
Retailers and brands – to ensure product claims are transparent and consistent
Recyclers and repair services – to access material and composition details
Authorities and regulators – to verify compliance with sustainability regulations
What does this mean for brands?
The introduction of the DPP will likely require operational adjustments, especially in how product and supply chain data is collected, verified, and shared. Brands may need to:
Expand supply chain traceability beyond Tier 1 suppliers
Improve data accuracy and documentation
Review product design for compliance with circularity goals
Coordination across internal teams (design, sourcing, compliance, IT)
Being prepared will make the transition smoother and may also improve overall supply chain insight and product quality
What to do next
The Digital Product Passport will soon become part of doing business in the European market. While the exact implementation timeline is still unfolding, the core requirements are already clear: reliable data, supply chain transparency, and product-level traceability.
Preparing now will help brands meet future obligations more effectively and with confidence. If you need help creating an action plan, you can find more information on our Action Plan article.
Need more help? You can get in touch with us via chat or contact us via email at [email protected].