The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a central element of the EU Green Deal and will become mandatory in phases starting in 2026. For every item sold in the EU, companies must provide a digital data record – accessible via QR code, NFC, or RFID. For e-commerce businesses, this means: Product data must be complete, structured, and digitally accessible. In this guide, we explain the requirements, timeline, and how to prepare your shop with PIM systems.
What is the Digital Product Passport?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital data record that consolidates verified information about a product throughout its entire lifecycle. This data is linked to the physical product via a unique identifier – such as a QR code, NFC chip, or RFID tag.
The DPP is legally anchored in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) – Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. It's part of the EU's circular economy strategy and Green Deal, aimed at promoting sustainability, repairability, and recyclability of products.
The regulation applies to all companies selling products in the EU – regardless of production location. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online retailers are equally responsible.
What Data Does a DPP Contain?
The Digital Product Passport must contain comprehensive information that varies by product category:
Material Composition
All materials and their origin, critical raw materials, recycled content
Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint, water usage, energy consumption during production
Repairability
Repairability score, available spare parts, repair instructions
Recycling Information
Disassembly instructions, recyclability, disposal guidelines
Each product must receive a globally unique ID – such as a serial number, GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), or proprietary code that makes the product digitally traceable throughout the entire value chain.
Timeline: When Does the DPP Become Mandatory?
Implementation occurs in phases between 2026 and 2030. The EU Commission will establish a central DPP registry by July 2026.
| Year | Product Category | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Batteries (EV & Industrial) | Complete Battery Passport via QR code |
| 2026 | First ESPR Products | Energy-intensive industrial products |
| 2027 | Textiles & Apparel | Clothing, footwear, home textiles |
| 2027 | Consumer Electronics | Smartphones, tablets, laptops |
| 2028-2029 | Additional Categories | Packaging, furniture, construction materials |
| 2030 | All ESPR Products | Universal DPP mandate |
For electric vehicle and industrial batteries with over 2 kWh capacity, the DPP is mandatory from February 18, 2027 (EU Battery Regulation).
Which Industries Are Affected?
The DPP will cover nearly all industries. Only food, pharmaceutical products, and animal feed are exempt. The key affected categories for online retailers:
- Textiles & Fashion – Clothing, footwear, home textiles, accessories
- Electronics – Smartphones, tablets, laptops, household appliances
- Batteries – E-bike batteries, power banks, industrial batteries
- Furniture – Upholstered furniture, mattresses, office furniture
- Packaging – Plastics, metals, composite materials
- Construction Materials – Insulation, flooring, paints
Generating the required DPP data is particularly complex in the textile industry – global supply chains, changing collections, and lacking material traceability.
Technical Implementation: QR Code, NFC, RFID
Access to the DPP is via machine-readable identifiers that are physically linked to the product:
QR Code
Most affordable option (~€0.10-0.15). Print on packaging or label. For textiles, packaging, small devices.
NFC Tag
Contactless reading (~€0.25-0.30). For high-end electronics, luxury goods, textiles with care passport.
RFID Tag
For logistics and inventory. Bulk scanning possible. Higher costs, more functionality.
The QR code or tag links to a digital data record that must be provided in a standardized format. The EU plans a publicly accessible portal where users can search and compare DPP data.
{
"productId": "GTIN:4012345678901",
"productName": "Winter Jacket Eco Pro",
"manufacturer": "ACME Fashion GmbH",
"materials": [
{ "name": "Recycled Polyester", "percentage": 65 },
{ "name": "Organic Cotton", "percentage": 30 },
{ "name": "Elastane", "percentage": 5 }
],
"carbonFootprint": {
"value": 12.5,
"unit": "kg CO2e"
},
"repairabilityScore": 7.2,
"recyclingInstructions": "https://...",
"certificates": ["GOTS", "OEKO-TEX Standard 100"]
}PIM Systems as Data Source
The biggest challenge with DPP is data collection and structuring. A Product Information Management (PIM) system becomes the central component:
- Centralization – All product data in one place: technical specs, materials, certificates
- Data Quality – Validation, normalization, and completeness checks
- Supply Chain Connection – Import material data from supplier portals
- Export – Structured output in DPP-compliant format
- Versioning – Change history for compliance documentation
Common PIM solutions like Akeneo, Pimcore, Informatica, and Contentserv are already preparing for DPP features. Integration with Shopware or WooCommerce then enables automatic provision of DPP data in the shop.
Even if the mandate isn't in effect yet: Start systematically collecting material data and CO₂ values now. The earlier you start, the easier compliance becomes.
DPP Implementation for Online Shops
For e-commerce businesses, we recommend the following implementation plan:
- Inventory – What product categories do you sell? When do they become DPP-mandatory?
- Data Audit – What data do you already have? What's missing?
- Supply Chain Analysis – Can your suppliers deliver the required data?
- PIM Evaluation – Do you need a PIM system? Which fits your stack?
- Data Model – Create DPP attributes in PIM, define validation rules
- Integration – Connect PIM ↔ Shop System ↔ DPP Platform
- QR Code Solution – Implement generator for labels/packaging
- Testing – Compliance check before go-live
Preparing Shopware and WooCommerce
For Shopware 6 and WooCommerce, DPP integration will happen via Custom Fields or Meta Fields:
- Create Custom Property Sets for DPP attributes
- Set up API interface to PIM
- Integrate QR code generator as plugin/extension
- Extend product detail pages with DPP link
- Enrich structured data (Schema.org Product) with DPP fields
Opportunities Beyond Compliance
The DPP is not just a mandate but also an opportunity. Companies can use transparency as a competitive advantage:
Trust Building
Transparency about materials and production strengthens customer loyalty and justifies premium prices.
Customer Engagement
DPP scan becomes a touchpoint: care tips, warranty info, repurchase offers directly on the product.
Marketing Potential
CO₂ values and certificates credibly communicate sustainability efforts.
Resale & Repair
DPP facilitates second-hand sales and repair services – new business models.
Innovative brands are already using DPP scans for post-purchase marketing: exclusive content, loyalty programs, and cross-selling directly on the product (Akeneo).
Costs and Effort
The costs for DPP compliance depend heavily on the starting point:
- QR Codes – approx. €0.10-0.15 per piece (print on label/packaging)
- NFC Tags – approx. €0.25-0.30 per piece
- PIM System – from €500/month for enterprise solutions, Open Source (Pimcore) more affordable
- DPP Platform – SaaS providers from approx. €0.40 per product incl. hosting
- Data Collection – Largest cost factor: internal processes and supplier coordination
Per-product costs decrease significantly with increasing product volume. For retailers with large assortments, investment in automated processes pays off.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on your assortment. Batteries and energy-intensive products from 2026, textiles and electronics from 2027, all other categories by 2030. Check which of your products fall under ESPR.
Yes, the regulation applies to all products sold in the EU – regardless of production location. Importers and retailers are equally responsible for DPP compliance.
With few products, you can maintain DPP data manually. From medium assortment sizes, a PIM system is highly recommended – it centralizes data, ensures quality, and enables automated export.
Specific sanctions are still being defined. Expected are fines, sales bans for non-compliant products, and negative publicity. The EU plans market surveillance via the central DPP registry.
Communicate DPP requirements to your suppliers early. Larger brands already require structured material data via supplier portals or standardized data formats like ZTC (Zero-Waste Textile Collaboration).
Absolutely. The DPP scan can become a touchpoint: product registration, care tips, loyalty programs, repurchase offers. Brands like Patagonia show how transparency becomes a competitive advantage.
Prepare Now, Don't Wait
The Digital Product Passport is coming – it's not a question of if, but when. For online retailers with textiles, electronics, or batteries in their assortment, preparation is already sensible now. The biggest challenge is data collection: material composition, CO₂ values, and supply chain transparency aren't available overnight.
With a structured approach – PIM system, supplier management, and clear data architecture – DPP implementation becomes manageable. And more: Companies that see transparency as an opportunity can position themselves as pioneers and strengthen customer trust.
We support you in preparing your Shopware or WooCommerce shop for the Digital Product Passport – from PIM integration to QR code solution.
DPP Consultation for Your Shop
We analyze your assortment, identify DPP requirements, and develop an implementation plan for your online shop.
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