Digital Product Passport in 15 minutes: what it is and why the EU is introducing it

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a structured set of product data - such as composition, origin, compliance, and lifecycle information - made available digitally (often via a resolvable link/QR) and tied to a product identifier. The European Union is adopting DPP to support circular economy goals, increase supply chain transparency, and reduce greenwashing by making key claims verifiable.

In this article we explain:

what a DPP is (and what it is not),
why the EU does not mandate one single technology,
the role of GS1 standards,
and how GS1 Digital Link can bridge compliance with sales and logistics.

Key takeaways

DPP = data + identifier + access (e.g., link/QR).
The EU focuses on traceability and interoperability because supply chains are global.
GS1 is the de-facto global standard for product identification.
GS1 Digital Link lets one identifier route users to different views of product information (compliance, customer info, partners, service, logistics).
DPP is not just an IT platform - it is a data and process framework.

1) What a DPP is (and what it isn’t)

DPP is a digital record of product information that can be:

machine-read and parsed,
updated over the product lifecycle,
shared with controlled access.

DPP is not:

a single EU service,
a specific QR format,
one global database.

The key is interoperability and standardized access.

2) Why the EU is introducing DPP

The main EU goals are:

Circular economy: Improved data enables better repair, reuse, and recycling.
Supply chain transparency: Verified insights into product composition and origin.
Usable structured data: Moving away from scattered PDFs/manuals.
More effective market surveillance: Fast, machine-friendly information supports compliance checks.

3) Why the EU does not mandate a single technology

The European Commission does not choose a single platform because:

supply chains span countries and systems,
industries differ widely (e.g., batteries vs textiles vs construction),
flexibility allows innovation.

The principle is:

Ensure unique and interoperable links between identifiers and data.

This lets companies choose technical implementations that suit them - as long as they deliver the right data reliably.

4) Why GS1 fits the DPP model

The biggest challenge for digital passports at scale is not data existence, but:

tying data consistently to the correct product worldwide.

Standards from GS1 help solve this:

GTIN - product identifier,
GLN - organization/location identifier,
SSCC - logistics unit identifier.

These identifiers are already used globally, which makes GS1 a natural foundation for DPP.

5) GS1 Digital Link: one identifier - multiple data destinations

GS1 Digital Link turns identifiers (like GTIN) into web-resolvable links, directing different users to:

regulatory data,
product pages,
logistics info,
service instructions.

Thus one stable identifier can support:

compliance workflows,
sales presentations,
logistics tracking.

Digital Product Passport regulation - EU timeline and requirements

The EU is rolling out DPP through several regulations:

ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation): The framework law that enables DPP requirements for virtually any product category sold in the EU. Delegated acts will specify data requirements per category.
EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542): The first binding law requiring a digital passport - mandatory for industrial, EV, and traction batteries from February 2027.
Construction Products Regulation (2024/3110): Introduces DPP requirements for construction materials.

What companies must provide:

Structured, machine-readable product data
A resolvable access point (QR code with GS1 Digital Link)
Category-specific data points defined in delegated acts

Digital Product Passport software - what to look for

When evaluating DPP software solutions, consider these criteria:

Regulatory coverage: Does it support ESPR, Battery Regulation, and future delegated acts?
ERP/PIM integration: Can it pull data from your existing systems (SAP, Dynamics 365, Akeneo, Pimcore)?
GS1 Digital Link support: Does it generate standards-compliant product identifiers?
Scalability: From 50 SKUs to hundreds of thousands.
Data validation: Automatic checks for completeness and compliance.
Multi-language support: Required for companies selling across EU markets.

myDPP meets all these requirements with plans starting at 100 EUR/month.

Digital Product Passport for fashion and textiles

The textile industry is among the first sectors targeted by ESPR for mandatory DPP. Key requirements will likely include:

Material composition and sourcing transparency
Environmental footprint data (carbon, water, chemicals)
Durability and repairability scores
Recycling instructions and end-of-life guidance
Supply chain traceability from raw material to finished product

Fashion brands selling in the EU should start mapping their product data now to prepare for upcoming delegated acts.

What you can do in 60 minutes

Pick 20-50 SKUs for a pilot.
Map where product data currently resides (ERP/PIM/PLM, spreadsheets, PDFs).
Assign data ownership within your organization.
Decide whether to base your identifiers on GS1 standards (e.g., GTIN).

FAQ

Will DPP apply to all products?

Not immediately - EU rollout is phased by sectors/catgories.

Is DPP just a QR code?

No. QR is an access mechanism - the important part is structured, machine-readable data.

Is there one central European database?

No. The model is interoperable endpoints with shared standards.

Why mention GS1?

Because identification is foundational - without unique identifiers, interoperability is very hard.

Digital Product Passport in 15 minutes: what DPP is and why the EU is introducing it