Introduction to Targeted Industries

The Digital Product Passport (DPP), a cornerstone of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), is set to revolutionize how products are managed, traced, and recycled across the European Union.

Initially targeting industries with high environmental impacts and significant potential for circular economy integration, the DPP requires businesses to document and share detailed product lifecycle data.

For a broader understanding of the DPP’s goals and implementation, visit our comprehensive guide on the Digital Product Passport.

Here are the industries most impacted by the DPP and how they are adapting to meet the EU’s sustainability goals.

1. Electronics and Electrical Equipment

The electronics sector is one of the primary industries impacted by the Digital Product Passport due to its significant environmental footprint and complex supply chains.

• Products Affected:
  • Smartphones, tablets, and computers
  • Batteries and electronic components
  • Household appliances (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines)
• Why It’s Impacted:
  • Electronic products contain valuable and hazardous materials (e.g., lithium, rare earth metals) that require careful management for recycling and recovery.
  • The DPP improves traceability of components, ensuring responsible sourcing, repairability, and recycling.
• Example: A smartphone’s DPP would include information about the battery’s composition, repair guides for broken screens, and recycling options for obsolete devices.

The Digital Product Passport electronics implementation will drive better resource recovery, reduce electronic waste, and encourage consumers to repair and reuse devices.

2. Textiles and Fashion

The textile industry is another sector significantly affected by the DPP due to its massive environmental impact, including pollution, water consumption, and waste generation.

• Products Affected:
  • Clothing, footwear, and accessories
  • Fabrics and home textiles (e.g., bedding, curtains)
• Why It’s Impacted:
  • Fast fashion has led to unsustainable production and disposal practices.
  • The DPP ensures traceability of materials (e.g., cotton, polyester), ethical sourcing, and recyclability to promote a circular economy.
• Example: A jacket with a DPP might display fiber content, manufacturing details, care instructions, and recycling facilities where it can be responsibly disposed of.

The Digital Product Passport textiles ensures greater transparency for consumers while enabling businesses to meet EU sustainability regulations.

3. Construction and Building Materials

The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental pollution and resource consumption, making it a key focus for the DPP.

• Products Affected:
  • Steel, cement, and glass
  • Insulation materials, flooring, and other building components
• Why It’s Impacted:
  • Building materials have long lifecycles and significant carbon footprints.
  • The DPP enables businesses to track material origins, environmental performance, and recycling potential.
• Example: A steel beam’s DPP would detail its source, carbon emissions during production, and potential for reuse or recycling in future construction projects.

The Digital Product Passport construction simplifies compliance with sustainability standards while promoting efficient resource management in the sector.

4. Batteries and Automotive Components

The automotive sector, particularly in the production of electric vehicles (EVs), is directly impacted due to the need for battery lifecycle management and recycling.

• Products Affected:
  • EV batteries and rechargeable batteries
  • Automotive components made from critical raw materials
• Why It’s Impacted:
  • Batteries require traceability of rare metals like lithium and cobalt to ensure ethical sourcing and end-of-life recycling.
  • The DPP tracks battery performance, lifespan, and recycling pathways, aligning with EU regulations like the Battery Regulation.
• Example: An EV battery DPP would provide data on its chemical composition, origin, usage history, and recycling instructions to enable resource recovery.

5. Furniture and Home Goods

The furniture industry faces increasing regulatory pressure to adopt sustainable practices due to its reliance on materials like wood, plastics, and metals.

• Products Affected:
  • Wooden, plastic, and metal furniture
  • Upholstery and home accessories
• Why It’s Impacted:
  • The DPP helps monitor supply chain sustainability, including responsible sourcing of wood and the recyclability of materials.
  • Furniture manufacturers must provide details about repairability and disassembly instructions to support circular use.
• Example: A table’s DPP might include information on the wood’s certification (e.g., FSC), disassembly guides, and recycling options for its components.

6. Packaging and Plastics

The packaging industry is increasingly scrutinized for its environmental impact, particularly the use of single-use plastics and non-recyclable materials.

• Products Affected:
  • Plastic, paper, and glass packaging materials
  • Reusable and biodegradable packaging solutions
• Why It’s Impacted:
  • The DPP tracks material composition, recyclability, and carbon footprint, encouraging the use of sustainable packaging alternatives.
• Example: Packaging with a DPP could display information about the material’s origin, its biodegradability, and instructions for responsible disposal.

Conclusion

The Digital Product Passport will have a transformative impact on industries with high environmental footprints, particularly electronics, textiles, construction, and automotive components.

By providing detailed product lifecycle data, the DPP helps businesses align with EU sustainability regulations, reduce waste, and embrace circular economy practices.

While compliance with the DPP is mandatory, it also presents opportunities for businesses to gain a competitive edge by improving transparency, reducing environmental impact, and meeting the growing demand for sustainable products.

As the 2026 implementation date approaches, industries that prepare early—by adopting DPP technologies like QR codes, RFID tags, and blockchain—will be better positioned to lead in the transition toward a more sustainable future.

‍