In a nutshell, this means that nearly all physical goods sold in the EU will soon need a digital record detailing their materials, sustainability, and lifecycle data. This initiative is key to the EU's Green Deal goals, and it will impact every merchant – including Shopify store owners worldwide – who wants to sell into the European market.
What You'll Learn in This Guide
- What the DPP is and the official timeline for rolling it out
- Why merchants in fashion, electronics, and furniture should pay attention now
- The compliance challenges ahead and how to prepare
- How to turn DPP compliance into a brand advantage
- How to get a head start with the GreenPass DPP Shopify app
What Exactly Is the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP)?
At its core, the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital record or "virtual label" for a product. Think of it like a digital ID card or eco-passport that travels with each item. Under the new EU regulation (ESPR), products will be required to have a DPP attached, providing information about their composition, origin, environmental impact, and end-of-life (recyclability).
Key Point: ESPR Regulation
The DPP is mandated by the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) – a law that came into force in July 2024 to boost sustainability and circular economy practices. In practical terms, the DPP information will be accessible through a digital tag on the product (for example, a QR code, NFC chip, or RFID label) rather than a paper booklet.
What Information Does a Digital Product Passport Include?
A DPP is quite comprehensive. According to the ESPR framework, a product's passport will typically contain:
A unique product identifier linked to the manufacturer/importer to track the item throughout its life.
Details on materials used, including any hazardous substances or critical raw materials content.
Metrics like energy efficiency, carbon footprint, percentage of recycled content, and durability ratings.
User manuals, safety instructions, repairability details, and maintenance instructions.
Timeline: When Do Digital Product Passports Become Mandatory?
The EU is rolling out Digital Product Passports in stages, focusing first on certain high-impact sectors and then expanding to virtually all products by the end of the decade. It's crucial for merchants to know when their product categories will be affected.
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation officially entered into force on July 18, 2024. This regulation established the legal framework for DPP requirements.
The European Commission released its initial ESPR Working Plan, focusing on textiles (clothing and apparel), furniture, tyres, and mattresses. Fashion and furniture made this first cut – a strong signal for Shopify merchants.
The very first mandatory DPP-type requirement hits in 2026, focusing on batteries. This affects electronics merchants and sets a precedent for tech products.
2027 is a pivotal year. Textiles and apparel products will be required to carry Digital Product Passports by 2027. Electronics also come into scope with repairability and spare parts traceability rules.
The DPP mandate extends to furniture and similar durable goods. Furniture regulations will require passports detailing wood sourcing, chemical treatments, and recyclability.
By 2030, almost every physical product sold in the EU – including imports – will need a Digital Product Passport. The European Commission's strategy covers roughly 30 product categories.
Why Fashion, Electronics, and Furniture Merchants Should Prepare Now
You might be thinking: "2027 or 2028? I have time, don't I?" While the hard deadlines are a couple years out, there are compelling reasons not to sit back and wait.
The DPP requirement will be legally binding. Once the rules kick in, you cannot sell those products in the EU without a compliant Digital Product Passport. There's no wiggle room for small businesses.
As of now (2025), we have under two years until fashion/apparel DPP rules take effect. A recent survey found 49% of supply chain managers are concerned about meeting deadlines on time.
Implementing DPPs requires operational changes in how you manage product data and supply chain information. You'll need to gather data on materials, origins, manufacturing details, and more.
The DPP affects any product sold in Europe no matter where it's made. If you ship to EU customers, you will need to comply. Early adopters will be better positioned globally.
Compliance Challenges Ahead: What to Plan For
Perhaps the biggest hurdle is gathering all the necessary product data and keeping it updated. Many small brands don't have all the info needed for a DPP readily on hand.
- Exact composition of every material and its supplier
- Recycled content percentage
- Carbon footprint of production
Each product will need a digital identifier that links to its passport. This likely means printing QR codes on your product labels, packaging, or tags, or using NFC/RFID technology for higher-end goods.
Compliance can't just be "tacked on" at the last second – it requires a mindset shift within your business. Your product development team, suppliers, and marketing team all need to be aware of DPP requirements.
Beyond Compliance: DPPs as a Sustainability Storytelling Opportunity
Forward-thinking brands can use DPPs to strengthen their brand story, build trust with customers, and even gain a market advantage. In the sustainability era, transparency sells – and DPPs provide an unprecedented platform for transparency.
A recent survey found that 71% of shoppers believe DPPs will increase trust in brands, and roughly half said DPPs would make them more loyal to brands. By openly sharing your product's credentials, you demonstrate honesty and accountability.
The information you compile for the DPP can be repurposed as compelling content for your online store and marketing. Sustainability storytelling is all about conveying the journey and impact of your product.
Complying early can make you a leader. Being among the first to offer Digital Product Passports could garner positive PR and brand differentiation, showing you're not doing this just because you have to.
DPPs can improve customer engagement after purchase through repair services, spare parts, or buy-back programs. This creates opportunities for ongoing interaction and new revenue models.
Get Prepared: Join the GreenPass DPP App Waitlist
GreenPass DPP is a forthcoming Shopify app designed to help brands generate and manage Digital Product Passports with ease. The app will integrate with your Shopify store data to automatically compile the required product information into a compliant Digital Product Passport format.
Key Benefits:
- Time Savings: Automate DPP creation using existing Shopify data
- Compliance Peace of Mind: Continually updated with latest EU requirements
- Easy QR Code Integration: Generate scannable codes for products
Additional Features:
- Centralized Dashboard: Manage all product passports in one place
- Storytelling Features: Highlight sustainability data for marketing
- No Technical Expertise Required: Simple setup and management
Join the GreenPass DPP Waitlist Now
Don't wait until the last minute to figure out Digital Product Passports. By joining our waitlist, you'll be first in line to try the GreenPass DPP app when it launches.
Key Takeaways
- Timeline is tight: Fashion/textiles face DPP requirements by 2027, electronics by 2027-2029, furniture by 2028
- Global impact: Any merchant selling to EU customers must comply, regardless of location
- Opportunity beyond compliance: Use DPPs for brand storytelling and customer trust
- Start preparing now: Early preparation prevents last-minute scrambling and compliance risks
Sources
• European Commission & EU Regulations on Digital Product Passports
• ESPR Working Plan and DPP Rollout Timeline
• Industry Analysis and Surveys on DPP readiness
• In-depth Guides on DPP Requirements and Benefits