This is Part 4 of a the series "Get Ready for ESPR: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Business."

A digital product passport (DPP) is an effective traceability system that collects and shares critical data about a product throughout its lifecycle, from production to disposal. This information is designed to help businesses, consumers, and other stakeholders understand the environmental impact of products, as well as their materials, performance, and recycling potential. 

Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), DPPs are mandatory for many product categories, and their role is essential in driving the EU's transition to a circular economy.

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Who needs to implement digital product passports?

Digital product passports are mandatory for a wide range of products regulated under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). These include the following:

• Iron and Steel
• Aluminum
• Textiles (garments and footwear)
• Furniture
• Tyres
• Detergents
• Paints
• Lubricants
• Chemicals
• Energy-related products with ecodesign requirements
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and electronics

Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of these products must ensure their DPPs are accessible by 19 April 2025. The European Commission will update the list of products subject to DPP requirements as the ESPR evolves.

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What information should be included in a DPP?

The ESPR outlines several key data points that must be included in a DPP to ensure transparency and traceability across the product lifecycle. These data requirements help stakeholders better understand the environmental and sustainability impacts of products.

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Here are the critical elements of a DPP:

1. Product identification

Each product must be uniquely identifiable to ensure traceability throughout its lifecycle. This includes:

• Unique product identifier: A code that follows the product through its lifecycle.
• Product or batch number: Along with technical specifications, to ensure specific identification.

2. Performance information

Details regarding the performance and sustainability of the product, including:

• Repairability and durability: Information on how long the product lasts and how easily it can be repaired.
• Carbon and environmental footprint: Data on the environmental impact of the product, including carbon emissions, material footprint, and other ecological impacts.
• Expected lifetime: The anticipated lifespan of the product under typical usage conditions.

3. Substances of concern

Products must provide detailed information about substances that could be harmful to human health or the environment:

• Identification: Name, identification code (IUPAC, EC number, CAS number), and the location of the substance within the product, including its concentration levels.
• Usage and handling: Instructions for safe usage, disassembly guidance, and protocols for handling hazardous substances.
• Lifecycle tracking: Instructions for tracking these substances through the product’s lifecycle, from production to disposal.

4. Instructions for use, maintenance, and end-of-life treatment

This section provides information that extends the product's useful life and ensures safe disposal:

• Installation and maintenance: Detailed steps for installation, usage, and regular maintenance, including guidance on third-party software installation where applicable.
• End-of-life management: Guidelines for disassembly, recycling, and handling hazardous materials, with processes for safe disposal, refurbishment, reuse, and remanufacturing.

5. Sustainability information

DPPs should include information that supports sustainability efforts and reduces environmental impact:

• Material composition: Disclosure of recycled and renewable materials used in the product.
• Microplastics: Information on whether microplastics or nanoplastics are released during the production, use, or disposal of the product.
• Environmental impact: Data on the product's carbon footprint, material footprint, and any other environmental impacts associated with its lifecycle.

6. Modularity and repairability

Details that enable product repair, replacement, and modularity:

• Repair and replace: Information about the availability of spare parts, component compatibility, and product modularity. This also includes guidance for non-destructive disassembly for repairs and replacements.

7. Recyclability and circularity

Information that helps ensure materials stay in use within the circular economy:

• Recyclability of materials: Details on the recyclability of the materials used in the product.
• Reuse and remanufacture: Guidance on how materials can be reused, remanufactured, or recycled to keep them in the product loop and prevent waste.

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Implementing a DPP system step-by-step 

Implementing a DPP system requires a robust data infrastructure and cooperation across the supply chain. While the process can seem daunting, the right tools and technology make it manageable:

Step 1: Identify the data to be shared

Start by identifying the key information that should be included in the DPP for your products. This may include product specifications, sustainability data, and lifecycle tracking.

Step 2: Build a collaborative data-sharing system

Work with stakeholders across the supply chain to define the data-sharing process and ensure that all parties have access to the necessary information.

Step 3: Leverage existing technologies

Use technologies such as barcodes, QR codes, RFID tags, and blockchain to store and transfer DPP data. This makes it easier to implement and ensures that the data remains secure and accessible.

Step 4: Focus on data security

Ensure that proprietary information is protected, and use encryption or decentralised systems to maintain the integrity and privacy of the data.

Step 5: Continuous improvement

Regularly update the DPP to reflect changes in the product, including modifications to materials, performance, or end-of-life management.

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Unlock circular economy opportunities with DPPs

Digital product passports are a powerful tool for businesses to improve product transparency, enhance sustainability efforts, and comply with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). By providing detailed, accessible data about a product’s lifecycle, DPPs enable stakeholders to make more informed decisions, drive circular business models, and meet growing consumer demand for sustainability.

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In Part 5, we’ll talk about the specific requirements for different actors across the value chain and explore how collaboration and shared accountability can drive effective compliance and sustainability under ESPR

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📚 Explore the series at your own pace.

Part 1: What you need to know about ESPR 

Part 2: Horizontal rules under ESPR

Part 3: Sustainable discarding and destruction of products under ESPR

Part 5: Specific ESPR requirements for manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers 

Part 6: Why stakeholder collaboration matters for ESPR compliance

Part 7: Turning compliance challenges into opportunities with ESPR