The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a central element of the EU Green Deal and is becoming mandatory in phases: for batteries from February 18, 2027, for other product groups each through a separate delegated act. For the products covered, 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. For importers, the EU customs reform 2026 adds a second set of obligations.
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?
The obligation does not arrive all at once: which product group needs a DPP is set by a separate delegated act, which as a rule applies no earlier than 18 months after its entry into force. Under Art. 13 ESPR, the Commission was obliged to set up a digital registry for unique product identifiers; the deadline for this ended on July 19, 2026. Apart from the battery passport, the years in the table are indicative adoption dates from the Commission's 2025–2030 working plan, not compliance deadlines.
| Date | Product group | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2027 | Batteries: LMT batteries (e.g. e-bike batteries), industrial batteries over 2 kWh, electric vehicle batteries | Battery passport mandatory (Art. 77 Battery Regulation) |
| 2027 | Textiles and apparel | Indicative adoption date of the act per working plan |
| 2027 | Tyres | Indicative adoption date of the act per working plan |
| 2028 | Furniture | Indicative adoption date of the act per working plan |
| 2029 | Mattresses | Indicative adoption date of the act per working plan |
From February 18, 2027, every LMT battery placed on the market – for example for e-bikes and e-scooters –, every industrial battery with a capacity above 2 kWh and every electric vehicle battery needs a battery passport (Art. 77 Regulation (EU) 2023/1542).
Which Industries Are Affected?
The ESPR applies in principle to all physical goods placed on the EU market. Exempt are, among others, food, feed, medicinal products, veterinary medicinal products and living plants and animals. Which product groups need a DPP is set by the individual delegated acts. Particularly relevant categories for online retailers:
- Textiles & Fashion – Clothing, footwear, home textiles, accessories
- Electronics – Smartphones, tablets, laptops, household appliances
- Batteries – E-bike and e-scooter batteries, industrial batteries over 2 kWh, electric vehicle 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: printing costs only, no component per product. Print on packaging or label. For textiles, packaging, small devices.
NFC Tag
Contactless reading, but a component per product. 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. Under Art. 14 ESPR, the Commission sets up a publicly accessible web portal where stakeholders can search and compare data from digital product passports – within their respective access rights.
{
"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 though most product groups do not yet require a DPP: 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 – printing costs on label or packaging only, no component per product
- NFC Tags – per-unit costs per product, clearly above plain printing
- PIM System – ongoing license or operating costs; open source systems reduce the license share
- DPP Platform – usually billed per product, hosting included
- 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. For LMT batteries such as e-bike batteries, industrial batteries over 2 kWh and electric vehicle batteries, the battery passport applies from February 18, 2027. For other product groups, the obligation only arises with a separate delegated act, which as a rule applies no earlier than 18 months after its entry into force. The Commission's working plan lists indicative adoption dates, such as 2027 for textiles and tyres, 2028 for furniture and 2029 for mattresses. Check which of your products fall under ESPR.
Yes, the regulation applies to products placed on the EU market – 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.
Penalties are set by the member states; under Art. 74 ESPR, they must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. In addition, under Art. 9 ESPR, products that require a DPP may only be placed on the market if a product passport is available.
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.