EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Guide
The EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) is becoming a central part of the European Union's transition toward more sustainable, traceable and circular products.
Established under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, the Digital Product Passport provides a structured digital record through which relevant information about a product can be made accessible throughout its lifecycle.
The EU Digital Product Passport Registry became operational on 20 July 2026, establishing an important part of the technical infrastructure needed for DPP implementation.
However, the launch of the Registry does not mean that every product sold in the European Union already requires a Digital Product Passport.
DPP obligations are being introduced progressively. Whether a product requires a DPP depends on its product category, applicable EU legislation, product-specific requirements, exemptions, transitional provisions and the relevant application date.
EaseCert helps manufacturers, importers, private-label brands and other businesses prepare, create and implement Digital Product Passports for products entering the European market.
What Is an EU Digital Product Passport?
A Digital Product Passport, commonly abbreviated as DPP, is a digital collection of product-related information connected to a product through a data carrier such as a QR code or another suitable technology.
The DPP framework is intended to improve access to reliable product information throughout the value chain.
Depending on the legislation applicable to the particular product, a DPP may provide relevant information to different parties, including:
- Consumers
- Manufacturers
- Importers
- Distributors
- Repairers
- Recyclers
- Market surveillance authorities
- Customs authorities
- Other supply-chain participants
The precise information that must appear in a Digital Product Passport is not identical for every product.
Product-specific requirements determine which information must be included and who must be able to access it.
This is an important distinction: there is no single universal list of DPP fields that automatically applies to every product sold in the EU.
What Is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)?
The principal horizontal framework behind the EU Digital Product Passport is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation – Regulation (EU) 2024/1781.
The ESPR significantly expands the EU's approach to ecodesign.
It provides a framework through which the European Commission can establish product requirements relating to areas such as:
- Product durability
- Reliability
- Reusability
- Upgradability
- Repairability
- Possibility of maintenance and refurbishment
- Presence of substances of concern
- Energy use and energy efficiency
- Resource use and resource efficiency
- Recycled content
- Possibility of remanufacturing and recycling
- Environmental impacts
- Expected generation of waste
- Product information
The Digital Product Passport is one of the mechanisms through which relevant product information can be made available.
Importantly, the ESPR is a framework regulation.
Product-specific requirements are progressively established through measures applying to individual product groups. Businesses therefore need to assess the legislation applicable to their particular products rather than assuming that every ESPR-covered product already has the same DPP obligations.
Businesses placing consumer products on the EU market should also consider the wider regulatory framework. EaseCert's EU compliance guide for selling consumer products provides an overview of additional EU product compliance requirements.
Is the EU Digital Product Passport Already Mandatory?
For some products, specific passport requirements have defined application dates. For many other products, DPP requirements are still being developed.
The answer therefore depends on the product.
The fact that the EU Digital Product Passport Registry is operational does not itself create a DPP requirement for every product sold in the EU.
The applicable legislation must be assessed product by product.
Key DPP Timeline
2024 – ESPR entered into force
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 established the new ecodesign framework and the horizontal framework for Digital Product Passports.
2025 – ESPR Working Plan 2025–2030
The European Commission identified priority product groups for the development of future ecodesign requirements.
July 2026 – DPP infrastructure established
The EU published harmonised DPP standards and detailed arrangements for the Digital Product Passport Registry.
20 July 2026 – EU DPP Registry launched
The European Commission announced that the Digital Product Passport Registry and testing environment were operational.
18 February 2027 – Battery Passport requirement
Specified batteries must have an electronic battery passport from this date under the EU Batteries Regulation.
Further product-specific requirements will follow according to the applicable legislation and implementing measures.
EU Digital Product Passport Registry
The Digital Product Passport Registry is an important part of the EU DPP architecture.
The Registry became operational on 20 July 2026.
It is important to understand that the Registry should not simply be viewed as one enormous central database containing the complete public passport for every product.
The EU DPP framework uses a decentralised architecture.
Under Article 13 of the ESPR, the Registry securely stores at least the relevant unique identifiers. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778 establishes implementation arrangements for the Registry.
Businesses implementing DPPs may therefore need to distinguish between several connected elements:
- The physical product
- The data carrier, such as a QR code
- The unique product identifier
- The Digital Product Passport
- The system where passport data is maintained
- Registration in the EU DPP Registry
- The relevant registration information or identifier
These elements work together but should not be treated as the same thing.
Is a QR Code the Same as a Digital Product Passport?
No.
A QR code is a data carrier. The Digital Product Passport is the structured product information and associated digital infrastructure that the data carrier allows an authorised user or consumer to access.
For example, a QR code placed on a product, packaging, label or accompanying documentation may direct a user to the product's online Digital Product Passport.
The passport itself may then provide applicable product information and documentation.
Therefore:
QR Code → provides access
Digital Product Passport → contains or provides access to the structured product information
Simply generating a QR code does not by itself create a compliant Digital Product Passport.
Product labelling may also be subject to separate EU requirements. For further guidance, see EaseCert's labelling requirements for GPSR compliance and GPSR warning examples and EU labelling rules.
What Information Is Included in a Digital Product Passport?
The exact mandatory information depends on the applicable EU legislation and product-specific requirements.
Depending on the product category and final legal requirements, relevant information may concern areas such as:
Product Identification
Information may include product identifiers, model information, batch or serial-level information where required, and other data needed to identify the product.
Economic Operator Information
Applicable information may identify relevant manufacturers, importers or other responsible economic operators.
Materials and Components
Where required, information may concern product composition, materials, components or substances.
Where chemical compliance is relevant, businesses may also need supporting information relating to REACH, RoHS and POPs. See EaseCert's guide to chemical testing for EU compliance: REACH, RoHS and POPs.
Sustainability Information
Product-specific legislation may require information concerning environmental or sustainability characteristics.
Durability and Repair
For certain products, information relating to durability, maintenance, repair, spare parts or disassembly may become relevant.
Recycled Content and Circularity
Requirements may concern recycled materials, recyclability or other circular-economy information.
Compliance Information
Where required by applicable legislation, relevant declarations, technical information or other supporting product documentation may be connected to the passport.
Businesses can learn more about structuring supporting compliance records in EaseCert's GPSR technical file documentation guide and EU GPSR technical file and product compliance guide.
End-of-Life Information
Information may support reuse, recycling, recovery or appropriate disposal.
The actual mandatory dataset must always be determined from the legislation applying to the specific product.
Which Products Will Need a Digital Product Passport?
The EU is introducing Digital Product Passport requirements progressively rather than imposing one universal implementation date.
Several product groups are particularly important.
Batteries
Batteries currently have one of the clearest DPP-related deadlines.
Under Article 77 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, from 18 February 2027, a battery passport is required for:
- Light means of transport (LMT) batteries
- Industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh
- Electric vehicle batteries
The battery passport must contain information specified by the Batteries Regulation, including information relating to the battery model and information specific to the individual battery.
Businesses manufacturing, importing or supplying affected batteries should therefore prepare for the February 2027 requirement.
Textiles and Apparel
Textiles and apparel are a priority product group under the ESPR Working Plan 2025–2030.
The Working Plan gives an indicative 2027 timeline for adoption of the relevant product measure.
This should not be confused with a blanket requirement for every textile or garment to have a Digital Product Passport from 2027.
The final product-specific measure will determine matters such as:
- Exact product scope
- Applicable ecodesign requirements
- Required DPP information
- Exemptions
- Transitional arrangements
- Application dates
Manufacturers, fashion brands, importers and private-label businesses can nevertheless begin preparing product, material and supplier information in advance.
Furniture
Furniture is another priority final-product group identified in the ESPR Working Plan 2025–2030.
The Commission's Working Plan provides an indicative 2028 timeline for adoption of a product measure.
Businesses in the furniture sector should monitor development of the product-specific requirements and consider how supplier, material, sustainability and traceability information is currently maintained.
Tyres
Tyres are included among the priority product groups under the ESPR Working Plan.
The Working Plan provides an indicative 2027 timeline for adoption of a measure.
Existing tyre legislation will need to be considered alongside future ESPR requirements.
Mattresses
Mattresses are also identified as a priority final-product group.
The ESPR Working Plan provides an indicative 2029 timeline for adoption of a measure.
This date concerns the planned development of the product measure and should not automatically be interpreted as the date on which every mattress must already have a DPP.
Iron and Steel
Iron and steel are priority intermediate products under the ESPR Working Plan.
The Commission has identified significant potential for improvements relating to areas including climate impacts, energy consumption and resource use.
Businesses dealing with affected intermediate products should follow the development of the applicable ESPR measures closely.
Aluminium
Aluminium is another priority intermediate product identified in the ESPR Working Plan.
Future requirements will depend on the scope and content of the applicable product-specific measures.
Other Product Groups
The ESPR framework is designed to cover a very broad range of physical products, subject to the scope and exclusions established by the Regulation.
Additional products may become subject to ecodesign and DPP requirements as further product measures are adopted.
For this reason, businesses should not determine DPP applicability simply from a generic online list.
The correct approach is to assess:
- The exact product
- Its intended use
- Its materials and components
- Whether it contains a battery
- Applicable sector-specific EU legislation
- ESPR product-specific measures
- Relevant exemptions
- Transitional periods
- The intended EU market date
- The role of the manufacturer, importer or other economic operator
Businesses launching new products can also use EaseCert's checklist for launching a new product in the EU to review wider product compliance requirements.
DPP Requirements for Manufacturers Outside the EU
The Digital Product Passport is particularly relevant for global manufacturers selling products into the European Union.
A manufacturer being located outside the EU does not automatically place its products outside the scope of EU product legislation.
Depending on the applicable requirements and supply chain, responsibilities may involve:
- The non-EU manufacturer
- EU importer
- Brand owner
- Private-label company
- Distributor
- Other relevant economic operators
Companies should therefore establish clearly who is responsible for creating, maintaining and registering applicable Digital Product Passports.
Supplier cooperation can also become essential because much of the information required for a DPP may originate further upstream in the supply chain.
For consumer products subject to the General Product Safety Regulation, non-EU businesses should also understand the role of the EU responsible person. See why you need a GPSR Responsible Person to sell in the EU.
Why DPP Preparation Starts With Product Data
One of the most significant practical challenges with Digital Product Passports is not creating the QR code.
It is obtaining reliable product data.
Companies may need information from:
- Product specifications
- Bills of materials
- Component suppliers
- Raw-material suppliers
- Factories
- Test reports
- Technical documentation
- Declarations of conformity
- Sustainability documentation
- Traceability systems
- ERP systems
- PIM systems
- PLM systems
- Supplier portals
If information is incomplete, inconsistent or spread across multiple suppliers and internal systems, building a reliable DPP can become considerably more difficult.
Early preparation gives businesses an opportunity to identify these gaps before a product-specific DPP obligation becomes applicable.
For products subject to GPSR, the underlying documentation process may also include a GPSR risk analysis and supporting technical documentation.
Digital Product Passport Standards
In July 2026, the European Commission published references to six harmonised standards supporting the Digital Product Passport framework.
These include:
EN 18216:2026 – Digital product passport – Data exchange protocols
EN 18219:2026 – Digital product passport – Unique identifiers
EN 18220:2026 – Digital product passport – Data carriers
EN 18221:2026 – Digital product passport – Data storage, archiving and persistence
EN 18222:2026 – Digital product passport – APIs for product passport lifecycle management and searchability
EN 18223:2026 – Digital product passport – System interoperability
These standards provide important technical foundations for interoperable Digital Product Passport systems.
However, compliance with technical DPP standards should not be confused with compliance with all product-specific requirements.
A business must still determine the legal requirements applying to the particular product.
Digital Product Passport and EU Customs
The ESPR also provides for interaction between the DPP framework and EU customs controls.
For products intended to be placed under the customs procedure release for free circulation, the DPP Registry framework includes relevant customs-related information and provides for automated verification through the EU customs environment.
This is another reason why unique identifiers, registration and correctly structured DPP implementation matter.
However, businesses should not interpret this as meaning that every product imported into the EU currently requires a DPP identifier.
The underlying product must first be subject to an applicable DPP requirement.
Is a Digital Product Passport the Same as CE Marking?
No.
A Digital Product Passport does not mean that a product is automatically CE marked, certified, approved or otherwise compliant with all EU legislation.
CE marking and DPP requirements have different legal functions.
Depending on the product, a company may need to consider several separate regulatory requirements, including:
- CE marking legislation
- General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
- Ecodesign requirements
- Digital Product Passport requirements
- Battery requirements
- Chemical requirements
- Labelling requirements
- Producer responsibility requirements
- Sector-specific product legislation
Good technical and compliance documentation can provide valuable underlying information for a DPP, but the requirements are not interchangeable.
For a broader overview of technical documentation, see the EU GPSR technical file and product compliance guide.
How Does a Digital Product Passport Work?
A practical DPP implementation may follow a process such as:
1. Determine DPP Applicability
Identify the product and determine which EU legislation and DPP requirements apply.
2. Collect Product Information
Gather relevant product, manufacturer, supplier, material, sustainability, traceability and compliance information.
3. Identify Documentation Gaps
Determine whether required information is missing, incomplete or inconsistent.
4. Structure the DPP Data
Organise the applicable product information into the required digital structure.
5. Create the Digital Product Passport
Establish the online passport and relevant product identification.
6. Generate the Data Carrier
Create the appropriate QR code or other applicable data carrier linking the physical product to its digital information.
7. Register the DPP Where Required
Complete applicable registration requirements through the EU Digital Product Passport Registry.
8. Publish and Implement
Deploy the passport and data carrier with the product according to the applicable requirements.
9. Maintain the Passport
Update relevant information when required during the passport lifecycle.
EaseCert EU Digital Product Passport Service
Implementing a Digital Product Passport can require coordination between regulatory compliance, product documentation, suppliers, sustainability information, traceability data and digital infrastructure.
EaseCert provides a complete EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Creation & Implementation Service designed to help businesses move from product documentation to an operational Digital Product Passport.
Our DPP Service Can Include
DPP & ESPR Applicability Review
We review the product category and relevant regulatory framework to determine the applicable or expected Digital Product Passport requirements.
Product Data Review
We review available product information and identify the data needed to prepare the passport.
Supplier Documentation Review
Where relevant, supplier documentation can be reviewed to identify missing or inconsistent information.
Documentation Gap Analysis
We identify gaps that may prevent effective DPP preparation or implementation.
Digital Product Passport Creation
We structure the relevant information and create the product's Digital Product Passport.
Dedicated Online Product Passport
The product receives a dedicated digital passport page that can provide access to applicable product information.
Unique Product Identification
Relevant product identification can be incorporated into the DPP structure.
QR Code Implementation
A QR code or appropriate data carrier can be created to connect the physical product with its Digital Product Passport.
Compliance Documentation Integration
Relevant supporting product documentation can be incorporated or referenced where appropriate.
DPP Registry Preparation
Where registration requirements apply, we can help prepare the relevant information for interaction with the EU Digital Product Passport Registry.
Review and Publication
The DPP is reviewed and prepared for publication and implementation.
Create Your EU Digital Product Passport
Whether your product is already approaching a mandatory passport deadline or belongs to a product group expected to become subject to future ESPR requirements, establishing the underlying product-data structure early can reduce later remediation.
EaseCert can help you determine what applies to your product and turn the relevant product, supplier and compliance information into a structured Digital Product Passport.
Our service includes DPP creation, an online product passport and QR-code implementation.
Get Your EU Digital Product Passport →
DPP Solutions for Larger Product Portfolios
Businesses with hundreds or thousands of SKUs do not necessarily need to approach DPP preparation one product at a time without a broader strategy.
A scalable approach can begin by identifying:
- Priority product categories
- Products with the earliest regulatory exposure
- Representative product families
- Common suppliers
- Shared materials and components
- Existing product master data
- Reusable compliance documentation
- Common traceability structures
EaseCert can begin with representative or priority product families and help establish a documentation structure that can be expanded across a wider portfolio.
What Should Businesses Do Now?
Businesses selling physical products in the EU should consider taking several preparatory steps.
Identify products likely to be affected. Review the portfolio against the Batteries Regulation, ESPR Working Plan and applicable sector-specific legislation.
Map existing product data. Determine where product specifications, supplier information, materials, sustainability data and compliance documents are currently stored.
Review supplier information. Identify information that will need to come from manufacturers, factories and upstream suppliers.
Identify gaps early. Missing product composition, traceability or sustainability information can take time to obtain.
Prepare a scalable structure. Businesses with large product portfolios should avoid treating every future passport as an isolated project.
Monitor product-specific legislation. Priority status under the ESPR Working Plan does not itself establish a mandatory DPP date.
For a broader compliance review before introducing products to the European market, see EaseCert's 2026 EU product launch checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EU Digital Product Passport (DPP)?
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital collection of product-related information connected to a physical product through a data carrier such as a QR code. Depending on the applicable EU legislation, it can provide access to information about product identification, materials, sustainability, traceability, repair, recycling and compliance.
Does every product sold in the EU need a Digital Product Passport?
No. Digital Product Passport requirements are being introduced progressively. Whether a DPP is required depends on the product category, applicable EU legislation, product-specific requirements, exemptions, transitional provisions and application dates.
Is the EU Digital Product Passport Registry already operational?
Yes. The European Commission launched the EU Digital Product Passport Registry on 20 July 2026. However, the Registry becoming operational does not mean that every product sold in the EU currently requires a DPP.
When is the first major Digital Product Passport deadline?
One of the first major established deadlines is 18 February 2027. Under the EU Batteries Regulation, a battery passport will be required for light means of transport (LMT) batteries, electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh.
Do textiles and clothing need a DPP from 2027?
Not automatically. Textiles and apparel are a priority product group under the ESPR Working Plan 2025–2030, with an indicative 2027 timeline for adoption of the relevant product measure. The final product-specific legislation will determine the exact scope, requirements, exemptions, transitional arrangements and compliance dates.
Is a QR code the same as a Digital Product Passport?
No. A QR code is a data carrier that can provide access to a Digital Product Passport. The DPP itself consists of the structured product information, identifiers and associated digital infrastructure. Simply placing a QR code on a product does not by itself create a compliant DPP.
What information is included in a Digital Product Passport?
The required information depends on the product and applicable legislation. Depending on the final product-specific requirements, information may concern product identification, manufacturers and economic operators, materials and components, sustainability, durability, repairability, recycled content, traceability, compliance information and end-of-life instructions.
Does a Digital Product Passport replace CE marking or other EU compliance requirements?
No. A Digital Product Passport does not mean that a product is automatically CE marked, certified, approved or compliant with all EU legislation. CE marking, GPSR, chemical, labelling, ecodesign, battery and other sector-specific requirements may apply separately.
Do manufacturers outside the EU need to consider DPP requirements?
Yes. Products manufactured outside the EU can still be subject to Digital Product Passport requirements when placed on the EU market. Responsibilities may involve the manufacturer, EU importer, brand owner, private-label company or other relevant economic operators depending on the applicable legislation and supply chain.
What is the EU Digital Product Passport Registry?
The DPP Registry is part of the EU's Digital Product Passport infrastructure. The EU framework uses a decentralised architecture, so the Registry should not simply be viewed as a central database containing the complete public passport for every product.
Can EaseCert create a Digital Product Passport for my product?
Yes. EaseCert provides a complete EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Creation & Implementation Service, including DPP and ESPR applicability review, product-data and documentation review, Digital Product Passport creation, an online product passport, QR-code implementation and related compliance support.
What if some of my product or supplier information is missing?
EaseCert can review the available product and supplier documentation and identify missing or inconsistent information. This helps businesses determine which additional product, material, traceability or compliance information should be collected before the DPP is completed.
Will my product receive an online Digital Product Passport?
Yes. As part of EaseCert's DPP implementation service, the relevant product information can be structured into a dedicated online Digital Product Passport that can be accessed through the applicable data carrier.
Can EaseCert provide a QR code for the Digital Product Passport?
Yes. QR-code implementation is included as part of the Digital Product Passport creation and implementation process, allowing the physical product, packaging or other appropriate location to connect users with the online passport.
Can EaseCert help with EU DPP Registry preparation?
Yes. Where Registry requirements apply to the product, EaseCert can help prepare the relevant product and identification information required for DPP Registry implementation.
What if my company has hundreds or thousands of products?
For larger portfolios, DPP preparation can begin with priority or representative product families. This allows businesses to establish a scalable product-data, documentation and passport structure that can subsequently be expanded across additional products.
How can I get started?
Start with EaseCert's EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Creation & Implementation Service. We can review your product, applicable requirements and available documentation before preparing and implementing the Digital Product Passport.
Official EU Sources
The following official European Union sources provide the legal and regulatory basis for Digital Product Passports:
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781
Establishes the framework for ecodesign requirements for sustainable products and the Digital Product Passport.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 – EUR-Lex
European Commission – Digital Product Passport Registry
The Digital Product Passport Registry is now live – 20 July 2026
European Commission announcement confirming the launch of the DPP Registry and testing environment.
European Commission – Digital Product Passport Registry
Digital Product Passport Registry Rules
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778
Establishes implementation arrangements for the Digital Product Passport Registry.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778 – EUR-Lex
Digital Product Passport Standards
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1736
Publishes references to harmonised standards supporting the EU Digital Product Passport system.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1736 – EUR-Lex
EU Batteries Regulation
Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
Includes the battery passport requirements applicable from 18 February 2027 to specified battery categories.
Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 – EUR-Lex
ESPR and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2025–2030
Identifies priority product groups and indicative timelines for development of future ESPR measures.
ESPR and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2025–2030 – EUR-Lex
Construction Products Regulation
Regulation (EU) 2024/3110
Establishes the revised EU regulatory framework for construction products, including digital product information and Digital Product Passport provisions relevant to that sector.
Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 – EUR-Lex
Need Help Implementing a Digital Product Passport?
EaseCert provides a complete EU Digital Product Passport Creation & Implementation Service covering DPP applicability, product-data review, passport creation, online DPP setup, QR-code implementation and compliance support.
Create Your Digital Product Passport →
This information is intended as general regulatory guidance. The precise requirements applicable to a Digital Product Passport depend on the product, applicable EU legislation and product-specific measures.