The EU Digital Product Passport, in plain terms

Updated July 2026

The Digital Product Passport comes from the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. It requires certain products to carry a data carrier, commonly a QR code, linking to structured information about the product's composition, durability, repairability, and environmental characteristics.

How the dates are set

• ESPR reached full application and the EU's central DPP registry went live on 19 July 2026.
• Product-specific rules come through delegated acts, adopted category by category. The textiles act is expected in 2027, followed by a transition period of at least 18 months.
• Practical effect for textiles: obligations beginning around 2028–2029.

Each product category receives its own delegated act and transition period, so there is no single DPP deadline for every product.

Requirements that affect the data carrier

Independent of the data itself, the rules are strict about the plumbing: a persistent unique identifier, a physical data carrier, open and interoperable standards, long-term data availability, backup provisions, and explicit protection against vendor lock-in.

Where GS1 Digital Link fits

The regulation does not mandate GS1. It calls for open standards and interoperability. GS1 Digital Link may satisfy several of those technical needs and is already used in retail, but the legal requirement should be checked against the applicable delegated act for the product category.

What to do now if you export to the EU

1. Establish clean, persistent product identification before choosing the data carrier.
2. Start collecting supplier declarations and material data. The source data usually requires more work than the page that displays it.
3. Confirm the export format and resolver-migration process before selecting a provider. The applicable rules may require long-term availability and interoperable data.