The Digital Product Passport (DPP) has emerged as an innovative tool that promises to transform the way products are designed, tracked, used and recycled. Regulated by the European Union and with mandatory implementation from 2026, the DPP is a key element in guaranteeing transparency in supply chains and promoting more sustainable practices in the European market.
This initiative is part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into force on July 18, 2024, with the aim of minimizing the environmental and climate impacts of products. It defines eco-design standards, prohibits the destruction of certain categories of unsold products and guarantees transparency through clear information for consumers and public bodies.
The Digital Product Passport is a digital record that accompanies each product throughout its life cycle. This record contains detailed information on the origin of materials, the manufacturing process, use, maintenance and possibilities for recycling or disposal. This concept applies to various sectors, including electronics, textiles, furniture and packaging. Food, feed, medicines, veterinary medicines, live plants, animals and micro-organisms are excluded.
Thanks to the use of technologies such as blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) and QR codes, the PDP offers a secure and accessible platform for consumers, companies and regulators to access relevant information quickly and efficiently. It promotes traceability and transparency, combating misinformation and encouraging more conscious consumer choices.
The PDP is a strategic pillar in the European Union's circular economy action plan. This economic model aims to eliminate waste and promote the reuse of resources. We are consuming resources as if we had three planets. Material use is expected to double in 40 years, and waste production to increase by 70% by 2050.
The PDP provides detailed information about products, from raw material origin to end-of-life. This helps companies improve efficiency, reduce waste and recycle materials. It also enables eco-design and sustainable supplier choices.
It reduces carbon footprint by identifying high-impact components and enabling optimizations. For consumers, it supports informed purchasing and promotes trust through transparency, fighting greenwashing with verifiable data.
It also supports reuse and repair strategies, especially in electronics, increasing product lifespan and minimizing resource extraction.
In short, the PDP is a catalyst for structural change in production and consumption, aligning business with sustainability and creating long-term value.
The textile and fashion sector is highly impactful due to complex and opaque supply chains. The PDP helps trace raw materials, verify responsible production, and inform consumers about lifecycle and sustainability. It builds brand trust and enhances competitiveness in a market moving toward environmental responsibility.
The PDP uses digital tech to create a unique and accessible product record, linked via QR code. Scanning gives access to:
This data is updated throughout the product's lifecycle, ensuring ongoing accuracy.
Challenges include standardization and interoperability across sectors, and ensuring data security and privacy.
Still, the PDP has massive potential. As adoption grows, transparency will improve, driving innovation and accountability. With the 2026 deadline approaching, companies must act now to prepare and integrate PDPs into operations.
Nextbitt offers advanced digital tools and expertise for implementing the PDP, including sustainable asset management. Its platform supports blockchain and IoT, centralizing lifecycle data.
It ensures compliance with EU rules through audits and continuous updates, improves efficiency, and connects PDPs to Environmental Management Systems (EMS) for carbon tracking.
Nextbitt also provides consultancy and training to prepare teams, plus reporting and monitoring tools to build stakeholder trust. PDP compliance becomes a lever for innovation and market leadership.
The Digital Product Passport is a milestone in the transition to a circular and sustainable economy, promoting transparency, traceability and trust. It's a chance to lead in sustainability and adapt before 2026. Those who do will gain compliance, efficiency and market recognition.
Integrate the Digital Product Passport into your strategy and position your company as a benchmark for innovation and transparency. Talk to us and find out how Nextbitt can help!