Digital product passports are set to boost the lifespan and value of garments, according to a report on new EU requirements coming next year.
Research by consultancy Bain & Company and ecommerce platform eBay predicts that the new digital product passports (DPPs) could double the lifetime value of garments by up to 65% and enhance their reuse.
DPPs will become mandatory for garments and textiles sold within all 27 EU countries, with roll-out beginning in 2026 and running through to 2030. It is part of the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) which began implementation in 2024.
DPPs are standardised digital records, accessible via QR codes, near-field communication (NFC), blockchain or similar technologies. They contain detailed information about a product’s materials, components, origin, environmental footprint and lifecycle.
Designed to support sustainability, circular economy initiatives and greater transparency, DPPs enable consumers, businesses and regulators to trace and assess products throughout their lifecycle.
Nearly every physical product sold in the EU will require a DPP by 2030 yet Bain and eBay’s report notes that 90% of brands “still see this as a compliance burden rather than a growth lever”.
The report argues that DPPs should not be viewed as more “red tape” but as an opportunity for clothing suppliers and retailers to build a “more direct, data-rich relationship” with end users.
Opportunities could include trade-in and buyback schemes and tailored warranties, repairs and aftercare. DPPs can also allow suppliers to track usage and report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals with greater transparency.
It added: “As second-hand markets expand, DPPs can act as a flywheel for growth – deepening trust, expanding participation and making circular shopping second nature.”
UK businesses can tap into information on implementing DPPs via the government’s UK Export Academy.
In May this year, Make UK, the manufacturers’ association, called on the UK Government to introduce DPPs in the UK.
Garment technology specialist Avery Dennison has already launched a DPP solution for garments, offering consultancy, hardware, software, digital ID technology, physical labels and support services.
