Digital Product Passports structure

At the heart of every DPP lies a unique product identity, which allows stakeholders to reference, trace, and validate a specific item across its entire lifecycle. This typically includes:

• Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) or serial number
• Product type/category (e.g., sneaker, battery, textile)
• Manufacturer name and address
• Brand owner information
• Date of manufacture
• Version or model number

This section ensures that the product can be distinctly identified in digital systems, supporting traceability and regulatory compliance.

For products in industries like electronics, textiles, and construction, transparency about material composition is essential. A DPP often includes:

• List of materials and substances
• Percentage breakdown of components
• Origin of materials (country or region)
• Potentially hazardous substances
• Compliance with REACH, RoHS, or similar regulations

This section helps consumers, recyclers, and regulatory bodies evaluate the product’s environmental impact and recyclability.

One of the EU’s primary goals with DPPs is to enable sustainable production and consumption. Therefore, a DPP typically includes:

• Carbon footprint or lifecycle assessment results
• Energy and water usage in production
• Repairability score (if applicable)
• Recyclability or disassembly instructions
• End-of-life disposal guidance
• Certifications or eco-labels (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, EU Ecolabel)

These data points make it possible to compare products beyond price or features, and support the secondary market and repair ecosystems.

To build trust and verify ethical practices, DPPs often store supply chain details, such as:

• Origin and journey of key components
• Supplier and subcontractor information
• Shipping, packaging, and warehousing data
• Blockchain or timestamped entries for traceability
• Country of final assembly

These details increase transparency and allow for real-time visibility into complex global supply chains.

Some DPPs—especially for durable goods and electronics—include product usage and care information, such as:

• User manuals or care instructions
• Maintenance schedules or service records
• Firmware or software version updates
• Warranty and support information
• Usage logs (optional, for IoT-enabled products)

This helps extend the product's lifespan and informs users, service providers, and repair professionals.

DPPs are expected to play a major role in proving compliance with legal, environmental, and industry standards. This includes:

• Conformity declarations (e.g., CE marking)
• Test results and certifications
• Product recalls or safety notices
• Auditing or inspection history
• Legal ownership or chain of custody (if required)

Such data makes the DPP a powerful tool for regulators and customs authorities, as well as businesses involved in resale or reuse.

From a technical perspective, DPPs must be designed for interoperability, access control, and scalability. Key structural elements include:

• Data standard or format (e.g., EPCIS, JSON-LD, GS1 Digital Link)
• QR code, RFID, or digital link for public access
• Access levels (e.g., consumer view vs. regulatory access)
• APIs for system-to-system communication
• Encryption and digital signatures (for data integrity)

This section ensures that DPPs can be securely read by various systems, devices, and organizations throughout a product’s journey.

The DPP is not a static document—it should evolve as the product moves through its lifecycle. A dynamic DPP can include:

• Ownership transfers
• Service history and modifications
• Recycling or disposal confirmation
• Upgrades or part replacements
• Resale or refurbishment events

Capturing these events gives products a complete digital biography, opening new doors for transparency and innovation in the circular economy.

The anatomy of a digital product passport is a strategic framework, not just a collection of fields. A well-structured DPP empowers businesses to comply with upcoming EU regulations, build consumer trust, and create value through transparency, traceability, and sustainability.

As industries prepare for full DPP adoption by 2026, now is the time to understand the structure—and start building your passport strategy.

Looking to implement DPPs for your products?

At DPPBuilder, we help manufacturers and innovators prepare for the future of product transparency. Whether you're exploring data models or building passport-ready infrastructure, we're here to support your journey.