What the EU's Digital Product Passport Means for Small Manufacturers

In 2027, the European Union will begin enforcing a new regulation that could fundamentally change how manufacturers sell products in Europe.
It's called the Digital Product Passport (DPP) — part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

While it may sound like something only large corporations need to worry about, the reality is different: every manufacturer, brand, and importer selling products in the EU will eventually need to comply.

What is the Digital Product Passport?

The Digital Product Passport is a digital record that travels with every product you sell.
It contains information such as:

• •Materials and components used
• •Supplier and manufacturing data
• •Environmental and recyclability information
• •Repair and disposal guidance
• •Certifications or proof of sustainability

Each product will have a unique digital ID, often linked via a QR code, that allows consumers, authorities, and partners to view this information.

Why is the EU introducing this?

The goal is to make products more sustainable, traceable, and transparent across the supply chain.
The EU wants to:

• •Track where materials come from
• •Verify environmental claims
• •Encourage recycling and repair
• •Hold manufacturers accountable for impact

This initiative is central to the EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.

Who needs to comply?

The rules will first apply to textiles, electronics, and batteries.
Over time, they'll expand to furniture, machinery, and construction materials.
If you produce, import, or sell any of these product types within the EU, you'll need a way to store, verify, and share your product data digitally.

Why this matters to small businesses

Many small manufacturers assume the DPP will only affect large brands, but like GDPR, this regulation applies to everyone.
Large buyers will start demanding compliance from their suppliers.
Even a 10-person manufacturer will need to provide structured digital data about their products.

The opportunity behind the challenge

Early adopters will:

• •Win trust from retailers and consumers
• •Avoid last-minute panic before 2027
• •Reduce admin costs by organizing data now
• •Stand out as transparent, sustainable brands

How to start preparing

1. List all products and collect supplier data (materials, origins, certifications).
2. Make sure product information is digital and centralized.
3. Learn about EU frameworks like CIRPASS and GS1 Digital Link.
4. Choose a platform that helps automate the process — like Tracebase.