Digital Product Passport

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) aims to transform the textile industry by creating a detailed digital profile of a product’s environmental impact and sustainability features. As an integral part of the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the DPP is essential for promoting circularity, minimizing environmental impact, and aiding the rejuvenation of the European textile sector.

The role of the DPP

The DPP acts as a digital fingerprint for textile products, offering comprehensive details about their origin, materials, and environmental impact. This knowledge is crucial for consumers to make informed decisions and for authorities to verify adherence to sustainability regulations. The key features of the DPP are as follows:

• Product information: detailed specifications about the product, including brand, origin, and materials used
• Care and circularity: instructions for care, repair, reuse, and recycling
• Sustainability and longevity: information regarding sustainable production practices, product lifespan, and opportunities for circular value practices
• Environmental data: data about the product’s environmental impact, including chemical compliance
• Consumer and authority support: tools to aid consumers in making sustainable choices and to support authorities in compliance verification

Proposed timeline for the DPP

The implementation of the DPP is closely linked to the rollout of the ESPR for textile products. The timeline for key milestones is as follows:

• 2025: adoption of the Delegated Acts for Textiles, which will specify the data points to be included in the DPP
• 2026: implementation of the ESPR requirements for textile products begins
• 2028: enforcement of ESPR regulations starts. From this point, all applicable textile products on the European market must comply with ESPR and have a DPP available to consumers at the point of purchase

The DPP is, hence, a significant advancement towards a more sustainable and transparent textile industry. By providing consumers with detailed information about the environmental impact of products, the DPP empowers them to make informed choices and drive demand for sustainable options. As the EU continues to prioritize circularity and environmental protection, the DPP will play a vital role in shaping the future of the textile sector.