Questions & Answers about digital product passports

What is a Digital Product Passport?
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a form of digital identity linked to each individual product. A DPP is intended to include information about the product’s sustainability, recyclability, origin, chemical composition, and more.

What’s the purpose of a DPP?
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a tool for sustainability data. It provides structured, traceable, and reliable information about products throughout their life cycle. The DPP is a key enabler of a circular economy.

What Kind of Data Is Included in a DPP?
A DPP provides information on a product’s origin, manufacturing process, carbon footprint, and content. It may also include user-related data, such as details on repair options, spare parts, recycling, and resale.

What’s all this data good for?
Access to reliable data can drive new business models. As EU legislation tightens, DPPs are becoming not only a necessity but also an opportunity. Companies can leverage DPPs to create business value through increased transparency, new revenue streams, and more efficient circular flows based on digital solutions.

What Legislation Governs DPPs?
The law is not yet fully implemented (as of 2025), but it is currently under development within the framework of the EU’s sustainable product policy legislation. The main legal act that will regulate DPPs is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

Why Does This Legislation Exist?
The goal is to introduce sustainability design requirements for nearly all products placed on the EU market.

Which Products Will Have DPPs?
DPPs will be required for a wide range of products, including textiles, electronics, and construction materials. The exact requirements for each product group will be defined in so-called delegated acts and implementing acts adopted by the European Commission once the regulation comes into force.

Textile products are expected to be among the first categories to face DPP requirements. Electronics and batteries already have similar requirements under other regulations, such as the Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.

How Is the Data in a DPP Made Accessible?
The data is created, updated, and made available digitally through technologies such as QR codes, RFID, or other technical solutions.

Do the Unique Identifiers Apply to Product Categories or Individual Items?
It depends on the product category. Products that require handling throughout their life cycle will, in many cases, need to be identified at the individual item level. For consumable goods, identification at the product or batch level will usually be sufficient.

Are There Any Projects in Sweden Developing DPPs for the Textile Industry?
Yes, several projects are currently underway:

• The Fiber Traceability Initiative is developing an initial solution for a digital, traceable wool value chain based on neutral, global standards.
• Trace4Value is a larger Swedish initiative led by RISE in collaboration with businesses and the public sector. It aims to develop digital identities for products in textiles, electronics, and construction.
• The TrusTrace project (a subproject within Trace4Value) includes textile products.
• CIRPASS, an EU-funded project, is developing DPP prototypes in three categories, including textiles.
• Swedish Textiles Initiative for Climate Action (STICA) is working to reduce the climate impact of the textile sector, including traceability solutions and data-sharing frameworks relevant to DPPs. STICA collaborates with both Swedish and Nordic stakeholders.
• ReValue is a current example of how DPPs can be used to develop new circular business models in practice. The goal is to test how DPP data can improve and streamline resale in fashion—producing measurable effects on product lifespan, climate impact, and profitability for both brands and marketplaces.

Is There a Central Platform for DPPs in Sweden?
Yes, SwePass is a national platform designed to strengthen traceability in value chains and help Swedish industry meet growing sustainability requirements. SwePass brings together partners from multiple industries to support the transition to sustainable systems and achieve climate-neutral, circular production through resource-efficient and resilient value chains.

Are There DPP-Related Projects in Different Industries?
Yes, several initiatives are underway across various sectors:

• Some Swedish cities have participated in EU-funded smart city projects where digital traceability in building materials and energy systems is being tested — laying the foundation for future DPPs.
• Swedish battery manufacturers are working on implementing the Battery Passport, a type of DPP. This work is linked to the EU’s Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542).
• Pilot projects are being carried out in collaboration with RISE and EU-funded initiatives, where Swedish companies have tested linking chemical information to DPPs.

Which Products Are Not Covered by DPP Requirements?
As of 2025, there is no complete or definitive list of products excluded from DPP requirements, since the rules are still being developed under the proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) by the EU.

However, some product groups are currently not subject to DPP mandates, including:

• Food products
• Pharmaceuticals and medical devices
• Animal feed and by-products
• Military equipment

These categories are excluded either because they already have comprehensive traceability and labeling requirements or are regulated under separate EU legislation.