How Do I Prepare for the Digital Product Passport (DPP)?

The European Union is implementing comprehensive regulations that mandate sustainability in the textile sector. At the heart of these regulations is the Digital Product Passport (DPP). By 2027, every brand wishing to sell products in the EU market will need to digitally document their products' entire lifecycle from raw material to shelf.

The implications of DPP for brands go far beyond a simple labeling requirement. Data such as what raw materials each product is made from, where and how it was produced, chemicals and dyes used, energy and water consumption, carbon footprint, and social compliance audit results must be recorded digitally and made available to consumers.

The biggest challenge for brands is that this data needs to be collected from every link in the supply chain. Fabric manufacturer, dyehouse, garment workshop, accessory supplier, and freight provider — each partner must provide data about their own processes, and these must be combined in a consistent format. For most brands, this means an entirely new operational process.

Brands that don't start DPP preparation today are likely to face serious problems after 2027. Beyond EU market entry barriers, DPP compliance is increasingly becoming a key criterion in major retailers' supplier selection processes. H&M, Zara, and other major players have already begun requiring digital traceability from their suppliers.

As a first step, you need to map your existing supply chain. Identify your Tier 1, Tier 2, and where possible Tier 3 suppliers, and clarify what data you need to start collecting from each. This mapping reveals gaps and data voids.

Certificate and sustainability management is one of DPP's critical components. You need to track the validity of certifications like OEKO-TEX, GOTS, and GRS, regularly collect sustainability metrics, and store them in a comparable format. Managing this manually becomes impossible as the number of suppliers grows.

Digital platforms significantly simplify this complex data collection and management process. Through a single platform, you can track all your suppliers' certificates, collect product-level sustainability data, and automatically generate DPP reports. This both reduces operational burden and provides reliable evidence during audit processes.

Starting DPP preparation today is the most effective way to maintain your competitive advantage. Leave your email to connect with our team and let's build your brand's DPP compliance roadmap together.