Digital Product Passport.
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) for Textiles.
Fashion is on the brink of a transformation triggered by environmental, economic, and social issues. With the increasing demand for transparency from consumers and a desire to achieve more traceability, circularity and transparency across the entire lifecycle of a product, the European Union has introduced the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as a driver for change. This innovative concept is part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into force in July 2024.
What is a Digital Product Passport? — A DPP is a comprehensive digital system with the role of providing digital access to detailed information about a product's entire lifecycle. The DPP chapter in the ESPR regulation is based on a decentralized approach for data storage, requiring a unique link to the product. The first textile DPP is expected to cover apparel containing at least 80% textile fibres by weight, including workwear and sportswear. Footwear is out of scope for now — a separate study is due by the end of 2027.
The DPP system standard EN 18220 requires at least one data carrier that is free to use and readable with an ordinary smartphone, in practice, it can easily be a QR code — which is exactly where our labels and trims come in.
Mandatory for all textiles sold in the EU from 2028-2029 — While detailed requirements are expected to be finalized by the end of 2026, beginning of 2027 with enforcement set to begin 18 months afterwards and rolled out across industries until 2030.
In May 2026, the EU's Joint Research Centre (JRC) published its "Study on DPP content for textile apparel products under ESPR" — the first complete content specification, proposing around 49 data points grouped into four categories (product identification, producer identification, plus environmental and traceability data). These are proposals feeding the future delegated act, not yet final law, but they are the clearest indication to date of what a textile DPP will require — and each element is classified as essential, strongly recommended, or voluntary, so brands can prioritise their data collection accordingly. Check out the videos above for an overview of the things that matter for textile brands.
Timeline
- July 2024 — ESPR enters into force; textiles confirmed as a priority product group
- Jan 2026 — JRC presents its 3rd Milestone technical report on textiles; 4th (final) milestone expected late 2026
- May 2026 — JRC publishes the full DPP content study
- May–July 2026 — CEN/CENELEC publishes the core DPP system standards (EN 18216, 18219, 18220, 18221, 18222, 18223); the Commission cites them in the Official Journal on 15 July 2026
- 2027 (indicative) — Textile delegated act expected to be adopted, confirming mandatory content, scope and technical standards
- ~2028–2029 — DPP becomes mandatory for textiles, roughly 18–24 months after adoption (exact date set in the delegated act)
- Implementation Steps for Now
- — While the Delegated Acts are expected to be in place by the end of 2026, beginning of 2027, the upcoming years are crucial. Textile and footwear brands should plan for 2025 and 2026 for:
- Data collection and management — Collecting comprehensive data across the supply chain is vital. Gathering upstream data from suppliers is usually a process that can take up to a year.
- Integrate your DPP systems — Your ERP or PLM systems should be in place and exploring digital solutions for DPP implementation must be considered.
- Infrastructure — A robust IT system is desired for a successful DPP rollout. Use 2025 to prepare the use of data carriers and link the physical product with the digital information.
- Sustainability Strategy and Training — The DPP should be aligned with the overall sustainability goals within the company. Training should be considered for the staff, supply chain, as well as consumers.
- Pilot projects — Learn, participate, or initiate DPP pilot projects as a way to test, learn and be prepared for the mandatory rollout.
Why DPP is important for the fashion industry:
- Regulatory Compliance — As part of the upcoming ESPR, DPPs will soon be mandatory for all garments sold in the EU.
- Alignment with the European Green Deal — Supports Europe’s goal to become climate-neutral by 2050.
- Promotes Circular Fashion — Facilitates recycling, reuse, and repair by ensuring transparency at every stage of a product’s lifecycle.
- Consumer Trust — Empowers customers with reliable, transparent data, encouraging more responsible purchasing decisions.
A DPP-Ready Solution — Since 2021, we’ve led innovations in supply chain transparency with our SaaS solution designed specifically for textile, apparel and footwear brands.
Our flagship platform, ProductDNA®, is a comprehensive solution that equips brands with the tools to monitor, report, assess, and optimize their supply chain - all in one place.
At Trimco Group, we’ve been continuously active in the development of DPP, participating in key projects and, through our partnership with the Oslo-based downstream solution provider, Kezzler, we are following pilot projects like CIRPASS-2.
Why Trimco Group’s ProductDNA® Stands Out as a Solution for DPP implementation — ProductDNA® is specifically designed for the textile and footwear industry, leveraging Trimco Group’s deep-rooted presence in the supply chain. This allows us to efficiently gather the right data, making it a powerful upstream solution.
In partnership with Kezzler, Trimco Group’s ProductDNA® creates a unified flow between upstream data and downstream strategies/solutions. This collaboration ensures data continuity across every stage of your product’s lifecycle. Learn more about our collaboration with Kezzler here.
Recognized as a DPP-prototype, ProductDNA® is designed to meet evolving regulatory requirements, helping brands stay ahead in an ever-changing market.
ProductDNA® has a green claims verification function ensuring transparency and accuracy in your sustainability communication. Check out different case studies and DPP projects here.
Content last updated August 2026
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