A Complete Guide for Brands Preparing for EU Regulations

Across the European Union, new sustainability regulations are reshaping how products are designed, documented, and brought to market. One of the most significant developments within this regulatory landscape is the Digital Product Passport (DPP).

While still a relatively new concept for many companies, Digital Product Passports are expected to become a central tool in how product information is shared across supply chains, regulators, and consumers.

For brands in industries such as fashion, textiles, electronics, and consumer goods, understanding how Digital Product Passports work – and how to prepare for them – will be essential in the coming years.

This guide explains what a Digital Product Passport is, why the EU is introducing it, how the legislation works, and how companies can begin implementing DPP solutions today.

What Is a Digital Product Passport?

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital record that contains key information about a product throughout its lifecycle.

This information can include details such as:

• Product composition and materials
• Manufacturing origin
• Environmental and sustainability data
• Care instructions and repair information
• Compliance documentation
• Recycling or end-of-life guidance

The passport is typically accessed through a digital identifier, such as a QR code or NFC tag, attached to the product itself.

When scanned, this identifier links to a digital platform where the product information is stored and presented in a structured and accessible format.

The objective is to make reliable product information easily available to different stakeholders, including:

• Consumers
• Brands and retailers
• Supply chain partners
• Regulators and authorities
• Recycling and repair services

By making product data more transparent and accessible, Digital Product Passports support the transition towards a more circular and transparent economy.

Why the EU Is Introducing Digital Product Passports

The introduction of Digital Product Passports forms part of the European Union’s broader strategy to improve sustainability and product transparency across the internal market.

A key driver behind this initiative is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which aims to improve the environmental performance of products throughout their lifecycle.

Historically, information about how products were made, what materials they contained, and how they should be repaired or recycled has often been fragmented or difficult to access.

Digital Product Passports address this challenge by creating a standardised way of storing and sharing product information.

The goals behind the initiative include:

• Improving product transparency for consumers
• Supporting circular economy initiatives
• Enabling more efficient repair, reuse, and recycling
• Strengthening supply chain traceability
• Helping authorities verify regulatory compliance

For brands operating in the EU market, the Digital Product Passport will become an increasingly important mechanism for demonstrating product transparency and compliance.

Learn more about how your brand can stay ahead of the EU’s new regulations by clicking the button below.

How the Digital Product Passport Legislation Works

Digital Product Passports are not a standalone regulation. Instead, they function as a digital framework embedded within broader EU product legislation.

Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the EU will gradually introduce product-specific rules requiring Digital Product Passports for certain categories of goods.

Each product category will have defined requirements regarding:

• What information must be included in the passport
• How that information should be structured
• Who can access different levels of data
• Which technologies can be used to link products to their passports

The intention is to create a system that works across industries while still allowing flexibility for sector-specific requirements.

For example, the data required for a textile product may differ from that required for electronics or batteries.

To ensure interoperability, Digital Product Passports will rely on standardised data formats and digital identification methods, allowing information to be shared consistently across the EU.

Would you like to know more about current and upcoming EU legislations? Request access to our compliance portal – or contact us to know more.

When Digital Product Passports Will Come Into Force

The introduction of Digital Product Passports will happen gradually over the upcoming years.

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation entered into force in 2024, establishing the legal framework for future product requirements. However, the detailed rules for specific product categories will be introduced through delegated acts over time.

Current expectations suggest that the first DPP requirements will begin to apply from around 2026 onwards, with additional product categories following in subsequent years. This phased approach gives industries time to adapt while ensuring that the technical infrastructure and standards are properly established.

For many companies, this means that preparation should begin well before formal compliance deadlines arrive.

You can read a more detailed description of the upcoming EU regulations on the EU’s official legal information portal here.

Which Industries Will Be Affected?

Digital Product Passports are expected to apply across a wide range of industries, particularly those with significant environmental impact.

One of the first sectors likely to be affected is the textile and fashion industry, where transparency around materials, sourcing, and product lifecycle is becoming increasingly important.

Other sectors expected to fall within scope include:

• Textiles and fashion
• Electronics and consumer devices
• Batteries and energy storage products
• Furniture and home goods
• Construction materials

Within the fashion industry in particular, the Digital Product Passport has the potential to transform how product information is communicated. Therefor, instead of relying solely on physical labels, brands will be able to provide extended digital information linked directly to the garment.

How Companies Can Implement Digital Product Passports

Preparing for Digital Product Passports involves more than simply attaching a QR code to a product. Successful implementation requires companies to think about how product data is collected, managed, and shared across the supply chain.

Typical implementation steps include:

1. Mapping Product Data

Companies must first identify what product information already exists and what additional data may be required. This can include:

• Material composition
• Manufacturing locations
• Compliance certifications
• Environmental metrics

2. Structuring Product Information

The data must then be organised in a structured format that can be integrated into a digital passport system.

This step often requires collaboration between product development, compliance teams, and IT systems.

3. Connecting Physical Products to Digital Records

Products must be linked to their digital passports using technologies such as:

• QR codes
• NFC chips
• Digital product identifiers

These identifiers allow users to access the product passport through a simple scan.

4. Maintaining and Updating Product Data

DPP’s are not static documents. As regulations evolve and new data becomes available, companies must be able to update the information stored within them.

This requires a digital platform capable of managing product data across multiple products and markets.

How ShareLabel® Enables Digital Product Passports

At Rudholm Group, we have developed ShareLabel®, a digital platform designed to help brands create and manage Digital Product Passports efficiently. ShareLabel® connects physical garments to verified product information through a simple digital interface.

Using technologies such as QR codes or NFC tags integrated into care labels, products can be linked directly to their digital passports. So when a customer scans the code on a garment label, they are taken to a dedicated digital page containing relevant product information.

Depending on the brand’s configuration, this could include:

• Product details and materials
• Sustainability information
• Supply chain transparency data
• Care and repair guidance
• Recycling recommendations

Because ShareLabel® is built specifically for the fashion and textile industry, it integrates seamlessly with the product labelling solutions that Rudholm Group already provides.

This allows brands to connect physical product labels with digital product data, creating a practical and scalable approach to Digital Product Passports.

See the image below to get a visual presentation on what customers actually see on our DPP.

Preparing for the Future of Product Transparency

Digital Product Passports represent a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability in global supply chains.

For brands selling products in the European Union, understanding how the system works and preparing for its implementation will be essential in the coming years.

While the regulatory framework continues to evolve, the direction is clear: product information will become more accessible, more structured, and more visible throughout the product lifecycle.

Companies that begin preparing early will be better positioned to adapt as the DPP’s requirements become part of everyday business operations.

Solutions such as ShareLabel® provide a practical starting point for brands looking to connect their products to the digital information systems that will support the next generation of product transparency.

Read more about our ShareLabel® product on our dedicated DPP page, or contact us today to get in touch with our sales team.