The Simple Explanation
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital record containing key information about a product. It travels with the product throughout its lifecycle, accessible via a QR code or NFC tag.
Think of it like a passport for products: it contains identity information, history, and credentials that anyone can verify.
Why the EU is Requiring Them
The European Union introduced DPP requirements under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to:
- Increase product transparency
- Enable circular economy practices
- Help consumers make informed choices
- Combat greenwashing with verifiable data
What Information Does a DPP Contain?
Product Identity
- Unique identifier (following GS1 standards)
- Manufacturer details
- Model and variant information
Material Composition
- What the product is made of
- Percentages of each material
- Origin of key materials
Environmental Data
- Carbon footprint
- Water usage in production
- Recyclability assessment
- Recycled content percentage
Circularity Information
- Repair instructions
- Spare parts availability
- Disassembly guidance
- End-of-life options
Compliance Data
- Certifications held
- Regulatory compliance status
- Substances of concern declarations
How It Works in Practice
- Manufacturing: Product receives unique identifier and initial data
- Point of Sale: Consumer can scan to see product information
- Ownership: Owner can access care instructions, warranty info
- End of Life: Recycler can see material composition for proper processing
Who Can Access the Data?
Different stakeholders see different information:
- Consumers: Product info, care instructions, sustainability data
- Regulators: Compliance documentation, certifications
- Recyclers: Material composition, disassembly instructions
- Repair services: Technical specifications, parts information
When Do DPPs Become Mandatory?
2027: Batteries
First products requiring DPP. Sets the technical precedent.
Late 2027/Early 2028: Textiles
Fashion and apparel products must have DPPs.
2028-2029: Furniture
Home furnishings follow textiles.
2029+: Electronics
Consumer electronics complete initial rollout.
The Connection to Authentication
DPP infrastructure overlaps significantly with product authentication:
- Same unique identifiers
- Same QR code technology
- Same consumer scanning behavior
- Same underlying data systems
Brands implementing authentication today are building DPP infrastructure.
How Provinium Enables DPP
Provinium provides the foundation for DPP compliance:
- GS1 Digital Link URLs: Compliant identifier structure
- Item-level serialization: Unique ID for every product
- Extensible data model: Add environmental data as requirements finalize
- Consumer verification: Mobile-friendly access to product information
Getting Started
Don't wait for the deadline. Start now by:
- Implementing product serialization
- Collecting supply chain data
- Building consumer familiarity with scanning
- Testing data presentation formats
Conclusion
Digital Product Passports represent a fundamental shift in product transparency. While compliance is mandatory, the opportunity is significant: brands that embrace DPP build trust, demonstrate sustainability, and create deeper customer relationships.
The infrastructure you build today serves compliance tomorrow.