Digital Product Passports:
The future of product transparency
Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are comprehensive digital records containing sustainability, circularity, and compliance information for physical products. Required under EU ESPR regulation, DPPs represent a fundamental shift toward transparency and accountability in manufacturing.
What is a digital product passport?
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a structured, machine-readable digital record that contains comprehensive information about a product's lifecycle, from raw material extraction through manufacturing, use, and end–of–life. Think of it as a complete biography of a product, accessible via QR code or NFC tag.
DPPs are mandated under the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) as a cornerstone of the circular economy transition. By making product information transparent and accessible, DPPs enable informed decision-making by consumers, facilitate recycling and repair, and provide regulators with tools to enforce sustainability standards.
Unlike traditional product labels or certificates, DPPs are:
- Digital and Dynamic: Updated throughout the product lifecycle to reflect repairs, upgrades, ownership changes, and end–of–life events.
- Comprehensive: Include dozens of data points covering materials, sustainability metrics, performance specifications, and compliance documentation.
- Standardized: Follow EU-defined data schemas and formats ensuring interoperability across systems and stakeholders.
- Accessible: Available to all stakeholders – consumers, businesses, recyclers, and regulators – with appropriate permissions.
- Verifiable: Data authenticity can be verified through digital signatures, blockchain records, or third-party certifications.
- Multi-Stakeholder: Serve diverse needs from consumer information to supply chain management to regulatory compliance.
For manufacturers, DPPs transform compliance from a burden into a strategic asset. The data collected for DPPs provides insights for product improvement, supply chain optimization, and sustainability reporting. For consumers, DPPs deliver unprecedented transparency about the products they buy and use daily.
What's included in a digital product passport?
Every DPP contains six core categories of information, each essential for achieving ESPR compliance and enabling circular economy practices.
Product identification
Unique identifiers including GTIN, serial numbers, batch codes, and manufacturer information. Links physical products to their digital records with QR codes or NFC tags.
Material composition
Complete breakdown of materials used, including percentages, origin, recyclability, and presence of substances of concern. Critical for recycling and circular economy.
Manufacturing data
Production location, date, processes used, energy consumption, carbon footprint, and quality certifications. Demonstrates supply chain transparency.
Performance specifications
Technical specifications, expected lifespan, durability ratings, energy efficiency classifications, and performance test results under various conditions.
Repair & maintenance
Repair instructions, spare parts availability, disassembly guides, software update policies, and authorized service provider networks.
End–of–life instructions
Proper disposal methods, recycling instructions, take-back programs, material recovery potential, and environmental impact of disposal options.
DPP requirements by industry
While all DPPs share common elements, specific requirements vary by product category. Here's what different industries need to know.
Electronics & appliances
Smartphones, laptops, televisions, washing machines, refrigerators
Key DPP Requirements: Battery information, energy ratings, repairability scores, software support duration, critical raw materials disclosure
Textiles & fashion
Clothing, footwear, accessories, home textiles
Key DPP Requirements: Fiber composition, country of origin, care instructions, durability ratings, microplastic shedding data, water usage in production
Furniture & home goods
Sofas, tables, lighting, mattresses, decorative items
Key DPP Requirements: Wood sourcing, formaldehyde levels, recyclability, durability testing, modular design information, spare parts availability
Construction materials
Insulation, windows, flooring, roofing materials
Key DPP Requirements: Thermal performance, embodied carbon, recycled content, fire safety ratings, installation guidelines, lifespan expectations
Automotive components
Batteries, tires, electronics, interior materials
Key DPP Requirements: Performance specifications, safety certifications, recycling protocols, replacement schedules, compatibility information
Packaging & containers
Food packaging, shipping materials, reusable containers
Key DPP Requirements: Material type, recyclability, composability, food safety compliance, barrier properties, reuse instructions
Benefits of digital product passports
DPPs deliver value across the entire value chain, from manufacturers to end consumers.
For manufacturers
- Streamlined compliance with EU regulations
- Enhanced brand reputation and market differentiation
- Improved supply chain visibility and risk management
- Data-driven insights for product improvement
- Reduced compliance costs through automation
For retailers
- Meet customer demand for product transparency
- Demonstrate sustainability leadership
- Reduce product returns through better information
- Compliance with due diligence requirements
- Enhanced customer trust and loyalty
For consumers
- Informed purchasing decisions based on sustainability
- Easy access to repair and maintenance information
- Verification of product authenticity and origin
- Understanding of environmental impact
- Knowledge of proper disposal methods
DPP technical implementation
TRACEHUB's DPP platform includes enterprise-grade features designed for scalability, security, and ease of use.
QR code & NFC integration
Each product receives a unique QR code or NFC tag linking to its Digital Product Passport. TRACEHUB generates these automatically, manages the secure URLs, and ensures they remain accessible throughout the product lifecycle.
Blockchain verification
Optional blockchain integration provides immutable proof of DPP data authenticity. Supply chain events are cryptographically recorded, preventing tampering and ensuring data integrity for audit purposes.
Shopify app installation
Install TRACEHUB directly from the Shopify App Store in seconds. Automatically sync product data, trigger DPP updates when products change, and generate compliant Digital Product Passports for all your Shopify products.
Multi-language support
DPPs automatically display in the viewer's preferred language, with professional translations of technical information. Essential for products sold across multiple EU markets with different language requirements.
Version control
Complete audit trail of all changes to DPP data. Track who made changes, when, and why. Maintain historical versions while ensuring consumers always see the most current information.
Access control
Granular permissions determine who can view and edit different DPP data fields. Sensitive supply chain information can be restricted while making consumer-relevant data public.
Real-world DPP example
Example: Premium laptop computer
Product identification
Model: ProBook X15 | Serial: PBX15-2024-847392 | GTIN: 1234567890123
Material composition
Aluminum chassis (68% recycled), PCB with conflict-free minerals, lithium-ion battery (cobalt sourced from certified mines), mercury-free display
Manufacturing
Assembled: Vietnam, July 2024 | Carbon footprint: 187 kg CO₂e | 45% renewable energy used in production
Performance & durability
Expected lifespan: 7 years | Energy Star certified | Repairability score: 8/10 | 15,000 hour battery cycle rating
Repair information
User-replaceable: battery, RAM, SSD | Spare parts availability: 10 years | 247 authorized repair centers globally | Software updates: minimum 8 years
End–of–Life
Take-back program available | 87% recyclable by weight | Battery recycling instructions provided | WEEE compliant disposal required
All this information accessible via QR code on the device, updated in real-time throughout the product's lifecycle.
Create DPPs for your Shopify store
Generate EU-compliant Digital Product Passports for your Shopify store with TRACEHUB. Install from the Shopify App Store and start creating DPPs today.