.png)
The Digital Product Passport Timeline: When will Digital Product Passports be launched?
What is a Digital Product Passport?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital representation of a physical product that provides access to information about the product's lifecycle, such as its origin, composition, and sustainability credentials. For more information on Digital Product Passports, the upcoming legislation and why you should start preparing now.
What is a Digital Product Passport?
Strategic Imperative: The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is more than a regulatory requirement - it is a strategic opportunity for businesses. By acting now, companies can proactively address potential compliance challenges, mitigate risk and stay ahead of the competition. By preparing early, companies can streamline operations, ensure data integrity, and use the DPP to add value in terms of sustainability and transparency.
What is the timeline for the digital product passport?
The implementation of the Digital Product Passport follows a structured timeline with key milestones. Companies need to be aware of these deadlines in order to plan their strategies accordingly.
General timeline for the Digital Product Passport: Key milestones
-
2022-2023: Development and consultation phase—EU policymakers outline regulatory requirements and engage stakeholders.
-
2024: Finalization of DPP framework and legal adoption under ESPR.
-
2025-2026: Initial implementation—specific industries begin phased adoption.
-
2027-2030: Full-scale adoption—DPP becomes mandatory for key product categories.
Product-Specific Digital Product Passport Timeline
While the general timeline sets the foundation, different product categories will have their own specific timelines based on environmental impact and regulatory prioritization:
-
Batteries (2026): The first industry to implement DPPs, in line with the EU Battery Regulation.
-
Textiles (2027): Expected to follow closely, focusing on circular economy goals.
-
Electronics (2028): Gradual integration to enhance recyclability and repairability.
-
Construction Materials (2030): Targeted for later adoption to align with green building initiatives.
Companies should monitor industry-specific updates to ensure compliance with their sector’s requirements.
Preparing for the DPP Transition
To stay ahead of the curve, businesses should:
-
Invest in Digital Infrastructure: Ensure systems are capable of storing and sharing product data.
-
Collaborate with Supply Chains: Work with suppliers to collect and verify required information.
-
Engage with Regulatory Updates: Stay informed about changes that may affect compliance deadlines.
By taking action now, businesses can turn compliance into an advantage, enhancing brand trust and operational efficiency in the circular economy.
For more updates on the Digital Product Passport and how it impacts your industry, stay connected with our latest insights. To find out even more about the upcoming legislation, you can go to our page that deep dives into the digital product passport and read even more about what's coming and lots of good tips on how to start preparing today.
Bellow you can find a illustration of the full, current timeline for digital product passports.
.png)
Full DPP Timeline
How Can Businesses Prepare for the Digital Product Passport?
Acting now creates a window of opportunity for companies to mitigate the impact of issues and reduce future risks
4 key actions for companies on how to get started
Participation in the development of DPP regulations and standards.
Action 1
Assess current product data availability, identify gaps, and gather missing information
Action 2
Inform and involve all relevant internal teams in the DPP implementation
Action 3
Plan for changes in technology and interoperability with current systems
Action 4
1. Engage in different DPP initiatives and try to contribute to policy recommendation development.
2. Monitor the development of DPP regulations.
3. Identify key topics that you and your company want to get involved in during the regulatory development and solutions to support
How to get started:
As many topics are a work in progress companies inputs can help shape the DPP regulations. This is an opportunity to address questions and influence discussions that will translate into more effective regulations. A way of influencing the discussion is to participate in stakeholder consultation.
Participation in the development of DPP regulations and standards.
Action 1
1. Appoint a designated DPP who is responsible for translating new regulatory developments into implications/actions
2. Share information about DPP with your organization
3. Identify the impact of DPP on each function (e.g., how DPP will affect planned product launches) and support current (investment) decisions to ensure future synergies
How to get started:
Some activities can be started today, while other roles and functions depend on further details from the DPP regulation. Articulate the corporate vision for DPP to all teams. Ensure cross-team collaboration on DPP implementation
Inform and involve all relevant internal teams in the DPP implementation
Action 3
1. Work with stakeholders and industry organizations on technical issues to identify preferred internal and systemic solutions (e.g., creating a unified platform for VC).
2. Inform IT & Finance about DPP to factor its impact into related technology decisions
3. Map which systems contain expected DPP data located in the organization and provide easy, centralized access to key data points if they are not yet available.
How to get started:
Plan for changes in technology and interoperability with current systems
Action 4
1. Identify key data points likely to be included in the DPP by mapping current and emerging national and EU regulations and global standards.
2. Map your organization's existing data points and identify where data is lacking to meet the expectations identified above
3. Incorporate key data points into the procurement process to capture relevant data up front.
How to get started:
Go over all data and identify key mandatory and optional data points for products. Use ESPR, the Battery Regulation, international and European standards, and circular economy standards as a framework. Find out what data is already available in the company and what data is missing and start collecting the missing data points.
Assess current product data availability, identify gaps, and gather missing data
Action 2
FAQs: Digital Product Passport Timeline
When will the first Digital Product Passports be required?
As it stands today, the standard for the DPP will be defined in 2025 and the law will apply in 2027.
Which industries need to comply first?
Timeline for the implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP)
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a key initiative of the European Union's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into force on 18 July 2024. The DPP aims to improve product transparency, traceability and sustainability across different industries, with a phased implementation over several years.
Phased implementation across industries
The first sector to adopt the DPP will be batteries, in particular industrial and electric vehicle (EV) batteries, in line with the EU Battery Regulation. Legal enforcement for this category will begin in 2026, although many industry leaders are already preparing through pilot programmes such as CIRPASS.
After batteries, the next industries to be required to comply with the DPP includes:
-
Textiles - clothing and footwear, as outlined in the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.
-
Electronics & ICT products - consumer electronics, household appliances and IT equipment.
-
Construction products - Materials used in buildings and infrastructure.
-
Furniture - including wood, metal and plastic-based furniture.
-
Iron, steel and aluminium - Essential raw materials for various industries.
-
Tyres - To improve material traceability and circularity.
-
Detergents, paints and lubricants - Chemical-based products with environmental impacts.
-
Plastics and packaging - To support the transition to a circular economy.
Each of these sectors will have specific data and traceability requirements to ensure a structured and transparent transition.
Full market integration by 2030
Beyond 2025, additional product categories will be progressively integrated into the DPP framework. Roadmaps for textiles and electronics, to be published in early 2024, outline a phased implementation through to 2027. The ultimate goal is for all products sold in the EU to be covered by Digital Product Passports by 2030.
Manufacturers and organisations should prepare now to ensure compliance with upcoming regulations and to reap the benefits of improved product lifecycle management.
How can companies prepare early?
How companies can prepare early for the Digital Product Passport (DPP)
As the Digital Product Passport (DPP) becomes mandatory for various industries from 2025, companies should take proactive steps to ensure compliance and gain a competitive advantage. Here's how companies can prepare:
1. Understand the regulatory requirements
Understand the DPP regulations specific to your industry, including data, traceability and reporting requirements.
Monitor updates from the European Commission and industry organisations for evolving compliance guidelines.
2. Evaluate and upgrade data management systems
Evaluate existing data collection processes to ensure they are aligned with DPP requirements.
Invest in product lifecycle management (PLM) systems and blockchain or cloud-based traceability solutions for secure data storage and sharing.
3. Strengthen supply chain collaboration
Work closely with suppliers, manufacturers and logistics partners to ensure consistent and accurate product information.
Establish data sharing protocols to track material origin, environmental impact and circularity potential.
4. Digitise product information
Implement QR codes, RFID tags or NFC chips to give consumers and regulators easy access to digital product information.
Ensure that product information includes materials, carbon footprint, repairability, recyclability and compliance certifications.
5. Participate in pilot programmes & industry initiatives
Participate in CIRPASS and other industry-led DPP pilots to test and refine compliance strategies.
Collaborate with industry associations and standards bodies to align with best practices.
6. Invest in circular economy strategies
Design products for repairability, reusability and recyclability to meet evolving sustainability expectations.
Explore new business models such as product-as-a-service (PaaS) and take-back programmes to improve circularity.
7. Train teams & raise awareness
Educate employees on DPP compliance requirements and digital transformation strategies.
Ensure product designers, supply chain managers and IT teams are aligned on DPP integration.
8. Start now & stay ahead
Companies that start early can streamline compliance, reduce costs and build consumer confidence in sustainable products.
Early adopters can also gain a market advantage by demonstrating transparency and innovation.
By taking these proactive steps, companies can turn compliance into an opportunity for efficiency, sustainability and brand differentiation.
Where can businesses find more regulatory guidance?
Companies can find official regulatory guidance on Digital Product Passports (DPP) from the following key sources:
European Commission (EC) websites
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) updates:
EU Battery Regulation & DPP for Batteries:
European Commission - Battery Regulation
Sustainable Product Initiatives & Digital Product Passport Information:
EU Circular Economy Action Plan
Sectoral organisations & standardisation bodies
CIRPASS (DPP Pilot Project) - Industry collaboration on DPP implementation
CEN & CENELEC (European Standardisation for DPP) - Development of technical standards.
CEN-CENELEC WEBSITE
At digitaproductpassport.com, we also offer training to companies on how best to prepare for the upcoming legislation. Read more here