Digital Product Passport Compliance

What is the Digital Product Passport?

The DPP is a digital record attached to products sold in the EU. It contains information about a product's origin, materials, environmental impact, and how to repair or recycle it.

Think of it as an "identity card" for products — accessible by scanning a QR code.

Key Dates

Which Products Need a DPP?

The first wave of products includes:

• Batteries
• Textiles and clothing
• Furniture
• Electronics
• Iron and steel
• Aluminium
• Tyres

More categories will be added over time.

Article 9 — General Rules

What it says: Products need a valid DPP before they can be sold in the EU.

Requirements:

• Data must be accurate and up to date
• DPP must stay accessible throughout the product's life
• A backup copy must be stored with an independent provider

Article 10 — Technical Requirements

What it says: How the DPP system must work technically.

Requirements:

• Each product gets a unique identifier
• Data is accessed via a QR code or barcode on the product
• Must use open standards
• Different users get different access levels (consumers vs authorities)
• Must work with other EU systems

Article 11 — Traceability

What it says: Products must be traceable back to their source.

Requirements:

• Link to the company that made or imported the product
• Link to the manufacturing facility
• Use international standards for identifiers (like GS1)

Article 12 — Central Registry

What it says: The EU Commission will run a central database.

Purpose:

• Stores all product identifiers
• Helps authorities verify products
• Enables enforcement

Article 13 — Customs Checks

What it says: Border authorities can check DPP data.

How it works:

• Customs connects to the central registry
• They verify imported products have valid DPPs
• Integrated with EU Single Window for Customs

Who is Responsible?

What Data Goes in a DPP?

The exact data depends on the product type, but typically includes:

• Product identifier (model, batch, serial number)
• Manufacturer/importer details
• Materials and substances used
• Environmental footprint
• Repair and maintenance information
• Recycling instructions
• Compliance certificates

Technical Basics

How users access the DPP:

1. Scan QR code on the product
2. View information online
3. Different access levels for different users

System architecture:

• Decentralised — companies manage their own data
• Centralised registry — Commission stores identifiers
• Open APIs — systems can communicate

Standards used:

• GS1 for product/company identifiers
• ISO standards for data formats
• EU interoperability frameworks

Useful Links