But what does DPP actually mean in practice — and what does it require from the companies affected?
What Does DPP Stand For?
DPP stands for Digital Product Passport.
A Digital Product Passport is a structured digital record that contains key information about a product and makes it accessible throughout the product’s lifecycle. Instead of being scattered across PDFs, spreadsheets, and disconnected systems, product data is gathered in one digital format that can be reused across use cases.
A Digital Product Passport typically includes:
- Product identification and manufacturer details
- Material and component composition
- Environmental performance data (such as LCA and EPD references)
- Compliance documentation and certifications
- Repair, reuse, and end-of-life information
In simple terms, a DPP connects a physical product to its digital information — covering how it’s made, how it performs, and how it should be handled over time.
Why Are Digital Product Passports Being Introduced?
Digital Product Passports are primarily driven by regulation, particularly within the EU. Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), DPPs will become mandatory for several product categories.
The intention is to improve transparency, make sustainability data easier to compare, and reduce duplication in reporting. By requiring structured, digital product information, regulators aim to move away from static documents toward data that can be verified, updated, and reused.
What Information Goes Into a DPP?
The exact content of a Digital Product Passport depends on the product category and regulation, but most DPPs include the same core information.
- Product identification
Product name, model, manufacturer, and a unique identifier such as a QR code or serial number. - Material and component data
Information about material composition, hazardous substances, and supplier or origin data. - Environmental performance
Carbon footprint data, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results, and references to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). - Compliance documentation
Declarations of conformity, certificates, and applicable regulatory references. - Circularity information
Repair instructions, spare part availability, recycling guidance, and end-of-life handling.
What distinguishes a DPP from traditional documentation is structure. This information is not stored as static files, but as structured, machine-readable data that can be updated and reused over time.
How Is a DPP Accessed?
Digital Product Passports are accessed through a data carrier that links the product to its digital record. In most cases, this is a QR code, NFC tag, or embedded link applied to the product or its packaging.
Scanning the code provides access to the passport through a digital interface. Access is often layered, meaning different users see different levels of information depending on their role. Consumers may see high-level sustainability or repair data, while authorities and business partners can access more detailed compliance and technical information.
How DPPs Relate to EPDs and LCAs
Digital Product Passports do not replace Environmental Product Declarations or Life Cycle Assessments. Instead, they rely on them.
LCAs generate the underlying environmental calculations, and EPDs provide verified, standardised declarations. The DPP connects this information into a structured format that makes it easier to reuse the same data across reporting, compliance, and communication.
When product data is updated in one place, those changes can flow through related outputs. This reduces inconsistencies, outdated figures, and duplicated work.
Who Needs to Prepare for DPP?
Digital Product Passports will be introduced gradually, starting with product categories such as:
- Construction products
- Batteries
- Electronics
- Textiles
Even for companies outside the first wave, the direction is clear. DPP requirements highlight the need for structured, traceable product data that can scale across products, markets, and regulations.
The Real Challenge: Data, Not Documents
The main challenge with DPPs is not the passport itself, but the data behind it.
Digital Product Passports require a single source of truth where materials, components, environmental data, and compliance information are connected. Data needs to be consistent, traceable, and easy to update. Without this foundation, DPP compliance risks becoming another manual reporting exercise.
DPP as a Business Capability
While DPPs are introduced through regulation, their impact goes beyond compliance. When product data is structured and connected, it becomes easier to support customer requests, internal decision-making, and future reporting needs.
Companies that treat DPPs as a data capability rather than a one-off requirement are better positioned to reduce reporting effort, improve credibility, and adapt as regulations evolve.
Getting Started with DPP
A good starting point for DPP preparation is understanding how product data is managed today. Where does it live, how often is it updated, and how consistently is it used across different reports and teams?
Answering these questions early makes DPP implementation significantly smoother — and often improves existing sustainability workflows at the same time.
.png)
