Digital Product Passport (DPP) Guide 2025
Introduction
As the world moves towards a more circular and sustainable economy, the need for greater transparency in the product lifecycle has become increasingly clear.
Digital Product Passport (DPP) is an important step in making comprehensive product information available throughout the value chain.
This guide will explore fundamental aspects of DPP, its benefits, implementation strategies, and compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Several regulatory frameworks support the introduction of the Digital Product Passport:
EU Green Deal: Aims to implement DPP across industries to increase sustainability.
Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) : Encourages companies to improve product lifecycle management.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) : Requires manufacturers to manage the end-of-life phase of products in a responsible manner.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) : Regulates design requirements for sustainable products.
Compliance with these regulations ensures that companies stay ahead of sustainability trends and avoid sanctions.
What is a Digital Product Passport?
In short, a Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a tool for collecting, storing and sharing information about a product throughout its lifecycle. You can think of it as a digital twin of the product that contains:
Unique identification
Where the product comes from
What materials are used?
Environmental impact and carbon footprint
How the product can be repaired, recycled or disposed of
This information will be available via a digital carrier, such as a QR code, linked to the product through a unique identifier. By scanning the code, consumers, businesses and authorities will have access to a digital platform with all the necessary product information.
Example of digital carrier for DPP:
QR codes – A simple and cost-effective way to provide product information via scanning.
RFID tags – Allows contactless identification and can store more information than a QR code.
NFC (Near Field Communication) – Used for interactive information sharing between products and devices.
Barcodes - Simple and cost-effective, limited amount of information
What products does DPP need?
The DPP will apply to most physical products sold on the EU market, with some exceptions. This means that companies outside of Europe that want to sell products in the EU will also have to comply with the new requirements.
Will all products require DPP?
No, only product groups where information requirements are set out in the ESPR through product-specific delegated acts will require a Digital Product Passport (DPP). It is also possible that individual components of a product, such as batteries, have a DPP, while the main product does not.
In addition, the European Commission may grant exemptions from the DPP requirement if other EU laws already contain systems for digital information dissemination that meet the objectives of the DPP, such as
Ensures that actors in the value chain can easily access and understand product information that is relevant to them.
It makes it easier for national authorities to verify that products comply with applicable regulations.
Who is responsible for the DPP?
It is the responsibility of the economic operator to ensure that products sold in the EU comply with all ESPR rules, including the requirements for the Digital Product Passport. But who exactly is an economic operator? It is the person who introduces the product to the EU market. This means that the operator is not always the manufacturer, but can be brands such as Nike or Zara, or retailers such as Europris and e-commerce platforms such as Komplett.
What must be included in the Digital Product Passport?
Although the specific requirements for DPP are not yet fully defined until the European Commission issues detailed guidelines for each product category through Delegated Acts, we have an overview of the basic information that is likely to be required.
Product identification
Unique ID number for each product
Global Trade Identification Number (ISO/IEC standard or equivalent)
Relevant commodity codes, such as TARIC codes
Product details
Information about manufacturer and importer
Place of production and country of origin
Material composition, including any recycled or hazardous substances
Production process, including energy consumption and environmental impact
Instructions for use, warranty terms and safety information
Security and compliance
Documentation confirming that the product meets EU standards
Information about any hazardous or regulated substances
Mandatory certificates, such as declaration of conformity, technical documentation and certificates of conformity
Environmental footprint
Data on carbon footprint, waste generation and the product's total environmental impact throughout its life cycle
Information about energy consumption and emissions reporting
Any environmental declaration (EPD - Environmental Product Declaration)
sustainability certifications such as ISO 14001, EU Ecolabel, etc.
Lifecycle information
Instructions for repairing or reusing the product
Recycling or safe disposal instructions
Information on how the product should be handled at the end of its life cycle
When do we need to use DPP?
The introduction of the Digital Product Passport will happen in phases, with different industries gradually adopting it at different times. While the exact timeline has not yet been determined, we do know the following:
Late 2025 - early 2026 : The European Commission is expected to publish the first delegated acts. These will specify the requirements for different product categories.
Q2 2025 : The first ESPR work plan is adopted. The plan will define priority actions, sectors and timelines for implementing the ESPR, including DPPs for industries such as textiles.
18 months after publication of a product category's delegated act : Companies will have a transition period before the DPP becomes mandatory for the relevant category.
February 2027 : Batteries will be the first product group with mandatory DPP. All batteries over 2 kWh (used in electric vehicles and industrial applications) must have a DPP.
Next : Textiles and car tires are the next sectors to receive DPP requirements, followed by building materials and electronics, where the requirements are expected to be in place by 2030.
See figure below for a tentative timeline (source: CIRPASS-2).
How to prepare for DPP?
Step 0: Start Now!
Digital Product Passport is on its way, and businesses that start preparing now will have a smoother transition when the time comes. But where do you start? Here are our recommendations for how to prepare and become DPP-ready:
Step 1: Get to know the rules
Understand the regulations : As mentioned, the DPP is part of the ESPR and a requirement under a broader sustainability framework. It is important to understand what other requirements you must meet for the ESPR.
Stay up to date with delegated acts : Harmonised standards (hEN) to be established for relevant product groups will define the exact information companies must provide based on product type, as well as when the DPP becomes mandatory. The DPP becomes mandatory 18 months after the hEN for the product type is published.
Know the implementation timeline : Batteries will be the first product group to require DPP, followed by textiles, building materials and electronics.
Step 2: Evaluate how the company is doing
Map your supply chain : Contact your suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics partners to see what environmental data you already have access to and where there are gaps.
Create visibility into your data flow : Track product information from raw materials to the end of the lifecycle to ensure transparency.
Check your technology infrastructure : Can your existing systems handle DPP, or do you need upgrades? Systems like PIM software like feed® can make the transition to DPP easier.
Step 3: Define your strategy
What is your goal? Is the focus only on compliance, or do you want to leverage DPP for business opportunities such as increased branding and customer engagement? If you are a supplier, offering DPP on your products will be extremely important in marketing and bidding.
Make sure your product data is in order : Make sure your data is accurate, structured, and easily accessible in a centralized system like a PIM.
Look at your value chain : Can your suppliers provide required information, include ESG data requirements in contracts and supplier selection?
Use data to improve your processes : The information required for ESG reporting can reveal “hotspots” and improvement potential in your production and processes. Use this to streamline and improve operations.
Step 4: Choose the right technology and collect data
Start data collection and verification
Identify and map the data points. What do you have today, is the quality good enough and what is missing?
Do a gap analysis : Compare existing data with future requirements and establish processes for data quality and validation.
Invest in automation : Using a PIM system with good integration capabilities can help standardize and streamline the management of product data.
Think about interoperability : DPP must be able to integrate with existing systems for seamless data exchange.
Step 5: Engage stakeholders
Collaborate internally : DPP is broad and requires involvement at all levels. Involve IT, controllers, and supply chain teams to ensure a unified strategy.
Work with external partners : Suppliers, authorities and industry organizations can contribute to "best practice".
Involve the supply chain : Start collecting data and make sure everyone is pulling in the same direction. This is especially important for actors outside the EU, as they may not be familiar with DPP.
Step 6: Prepare for potential challenges
Don't underestimate the complexity : Implementing DPP is a long-term process that requires strategic planning.
Increase focus on data quality and security : You are responsible for ensuring that the information you provide is correct, and it is important to have centralized data, such as in PIM, for easier overview and control.
Much is still not in place, both technologically and not least standards that define data requirements with a view to the DPP rollout, but it is important to start the work of strengthening your sustainability work and collecting documentation. This is a big change that requires time and planning – the earlier you start, the better!
How feed® PIM from iSYS can help you with DPP
To effectively implement a Digital Product Passport, a robust platform for data collection, management and distribution is required. feed® PIM from iSYS is an advanced product information solution that can help companies meet DPP requirements in a flexible and efficient manner.
Benefits of feed® PIM in DPP implementation
Centralized data management: feed® PIM collects all product information in one place, ensuring accuracy and easy updating.
Collect your documents in feed®: User manuals, Eco-labeling, EPD, FDV, certifications and other legally required product documents that need to be entered into DPP, all in one place.
Automated data flow: The platform enables automatic synchronization of product data between systems, suppliers and partners via modern and secure APIs.
Efficient distribution: The system allows you to easily share DPP information with customers, authorities or digital platforms
Integration with existing systems: feed® PIM can be connected to ERP, e-commerce platforms and other IT solutions for a seamless information flow.
feed® PIM is scalable: suitable for both small businesses and large corporations with a clear and, not least, pleasant price.
By using feed® PIM from ISYS, companies can ensure that all necessary product information is accurate, up-to-date and easily accessible to all stakeholders and ensure that Digital Product Passport documentation requirements are in place.
As industries embrace digital transformation, DPP will become a necessity for sustainability, transparency, and consumer engagement. Governments and businesses must work together to establish universal standards and ensure seamless adoption globally.
By implementing Digital Product Passport, companies not only ensure regulatory compliance, but also gain a competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market.
Are you ready to embrace the future?
We at iSYS want to help you with good solutions and expertise.
Contact us for more information and a demo of our solutions salg@isys.no
Odd-Inge Hansen - feed® PIM Customer Success
