What needs to go inside a digital product passport?

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is the digital record that follows a product through its entire life-cycle.

Under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (“ESPR”), the DPP is mandated as part of the ecodesign framework for sustainable products.

The regulation specifies that DPPs must include machine-readable information about the product’s identity, composition and durability, plus mechanisms to ensure integrity and accessibility.

For example, Article 10 of the ESPR sets out that the DPP must be “structured, machine-readable and interoperable” and include the data carrier and storage provisions.

In practice the content of a DPP will include:

• Unique identifiers (such as GTIN and serial)

• Materials and components lists

• Manufacturing site or batch details

• Environmental performance (e.g., recyclability, repairability)

• End-of-life instructions and take-back routes
  
  

Studies by the CIRPASS Consortium, of which Alythya, Inc. is a steering member, show that these data fields reduce information asymmetry and enable more efficient circular flows across textiles, electronics, and batteries.

For brands seeking compliance and competitive edge, the message is clear; building a DPP today means defining the above data fields, choosing a data carrier (QR, NFC) and preparing for interoperability.