Updated April 2026 · 8 min read

What Is the EU Digital Product Passport? Complete Guide for 2027

The European Union is introducing mandatory Digital Product Passports (DPP) for products sold in the EU. Here's everything you need to know: what it is, who needs it, when, and how to get compliant.

What is a Digital Product Passport?

A Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital record that contains information about a product's origin, composition, repair, and recycling options. It's accessed via a QR code or DataMatrix code on the product, which links to a standardized data set.

The DPP is part of the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), adopted as Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. Its goal is to make products more sustainable, repairable, and recyclable by providing transparent data throughout the product lifecycle.

Who needs a Digital Product Passport?

If you place products on the EU market, you need a DPP. This includes:

• EU manufacturers producing goods sold within the EU
• EU importers bringing products from non-EU countries (China, India, Turkey, Vietnam, etc.)
• Brand owners selling under their own brand via Amazon, Alibaba, Temu, or other marketplaces
• Authorized representatives acting on behalf of non-EU manufacturers

Important: Under ESPR, the importer is legally responsible for the DPP — not the manufacturer. If your supplier is in China and you import into the EU, the obligation is yours.

Mandatory deadlines

What data does a DPP contain?

The exact requirements vary by product category, but generally include:

How is the DPP accessed?

The DPP must be accessible via a GS1 Digital Link encoded in a QR code or DataMatrix code on the product or its packaging. When scanned, it opens a webpage showing the product data in the user's language.

The GS1 Digital Link URI follows this format:

https://resolver.example/01/{GTIN}/10/{batch}/21/{serial}

Where 01 is the GTIN Application Identifier, 10 is batch/lot, and 21 is serial number.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Products without a valid DPP will be:

• Blocked at EU customs — they cannot enter the market
• Removed from online marketplaces — Amazon, eBay, and others must verify compliance
• Subject to fines — determined by each EU member state, potentially significant
• Subject to product recalls — if already on the market without DPP

How to create a Digital Product Passport

There are three approaches:

1. Build your own system — requires GS1 Digital Link resolver, database, multilingual viewer (months of development)
2. Hire a consultant — expensive, slow, ongoing dependency
3. Use a self-service platform like dpp.gs — live in 5 minutes, free to start

Key regulations

• ESPR 2024/1781 — Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (main DPP framework)
• EU 2023/1542 — Battery Regulation (Battery Passport requirements)
• REACH (EC) 1907/2006 — Chemical substances registration
• RoHS 2011/65/EU — Restriction of hazardous substances
• GS1 Digital Link Standard — QR code and resolver standard for DPP

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a DPP if I only sell on Amazon?

Yes. Online marketplaces operating in the EU must ensure products have valid DPPs. Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Temu, and Shein will all need to verify DPP compliance.

I'm a Chinese manufacturer exporting to the EU. Is this my responsibility?

Legally, the EU importer is responsible. However, if you want to remain competitive, providing DPP-ready data to your EU customers gives you an advantage. Many importers will choose suppliers who already have DPPs.

How much does it cost?

With dpp.gs, you can start free (2 GTINs). Paid plans start at €29/month for 100 GTINs. Enterprise pricing is available for large volumes.

What is GS1 Digital Link?

GS1 Digital Link is an international standard that encodes product identifiers (like GTINs) into QR codes. When scanned, the QR code resolves to product information. It's the required format for EU Digital Product Passports and is also used in the US (GS1 Sunrise 2027).