The European Union (EU) is creating a legislative framework to facilitate the green transition across the EU, encouraging the potential of digital tools to enhance sustainability. A cornerstone of the EU’s sustainable tools is the Digital Product Passport (DPP), an electronic information system for specific consumer product groups. It was established by the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force on the 18th of July 2024.
The European Commission (EC) has commissioned a standardised DPP framework to CIRPASS, a 31-partner consortium including European Research and Technology organisations, sustainability consultancies, and industry associations. Between October 2022 and March 2024, CIRPASS prepared this framework, focusing on those considered as priority products, with textiles (textile, clothing, leather goods and footwear), electronics and batteries among them. While footwear is addressed under the textiles category, the work is currently concentrated in textiles and clothing, and footwear works will follow as from March 2025. It is important that the EC considers the specific characteristics and needs of this product, much more complex than clothing.
Footwear industries have welcomed the DPP as a tool for enhancing transparency and traceability within the sector. Via a QR code on the product, the DPP will provide information on the environmental footprint, composition, origin and labels of products and components. It will empower consumers to make more informed and sustainable choices. By authenticating and tracing products, the DPP could play a more ambitious role in the fight against greenwashing and counterfeiting?
It is expected that DPP system standards will be ready by the end of 2025. Currently, the Commission together with industry and experts are also developing a Delegated Act for textiles which should be ready around January 2026, while the DPP for textile should enter into force around July 2027. The EC should take into consideration the capacity of SMEs by granting them an appropriate adaptation period and support both at EU and local level. Only this approach will provide for an inclusive and effective green transition of the sector.
The introduction of the DPP will change how businesses think about sustainability and make them more aware of the relevance of true and measurable information. In addition, with the upcoming EC platform that will compile the information about all products, consumers will be able to compare data on the DPPs and will see more clearly who is doing best in terms of sustainability and who is using greenwashing techniques, which should also encourage companies and professionals to apply real sustainability practices in their business strategies.