The European Union is introducing Digital Product Passports (DPPs) through its European Union's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and separate legislation for specific sectors, including batteries. 

The ESPR entered into force on 18 July 2024. It establishes a framework for setting sustainability and product-information requirements across a broad range of physical products placed on the EU market, including imported products. Certain categories, such as food, feed and medicines, are excluded. 

Product-specific rules will be introduced progressively through delegated acts - legal measures that set out the detailed requirements for particular product groups. Alongside the ESPR’s common DPP requirements, these measures will specify: 

• which products are covered and when requirements apply; 

• what information must be included; 

• whether the DPP applies at model, batch or individual-item level; 

• who must create, maintain or update the information; 

• which information is public and which is restricted to authorised users; 

• what supporting documentation is required to demonstrate compliance; and 

• how long the DPP must remain available. 

The European Commission’s 2025–2030 Working Plan prioritises textile apparel, iron and steel, aluminium, tyres, furniture and mattresses, alongside work on energy-related products and requirements that apply across product groups. Preparatory studies, impact assessments and stakeholder consultations inform the development of these rules. 

There is no single ESPR DPP compliance deadline for all products. Dates in the working plan indicate when the Commission plans to adopt rules. Businesses will generally have at least 18 months after a delegated act enters into force before its requirements apply, although exceptions are possible. 

For current information, visit the European Commission’s Digital Product Passport website and ESPR implementation page here.   

Batteries 

Battery passports are required under the EU Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, rather than an ESPR product-specific delegated act. 

The EU Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 introduces different requirements by battery category: 

• Portable batteries: Labels and markings are required, alongside a QR code from 18 February 2027 linking to applicable battery, compliance and recycling information. An individual battery passport and dynamic lifecycle data are not required. 

• Electric vehicle batteries, light means of transport batteries (such as e-bike batteries), and industrial batteries over 2 kWh: An individual battery passport is required from 18 February 2027 for batteries placed on the EU market or put into service. Accessible through a QR code, it includes model and individual-battery information, with relevant lifecycle data updated over time. Continuous or real-time monitoring is not necessarily required. 

Visit the Commission’s battery passport page for guidance and updates. 

Textiles and apparel 

Textile apparel is a priority product group under the ESPR. The Commission currently indicates Q4 2027 for adoption of the textile delegated act. This is a planned rule-adoption date; the act will establish when businesses must comply. 

A study on DPP content for textile apparel, published through the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in May 2026, explores potential data requirements, levels of identification, access rights and verification approaches. It provides evidence to inform future rules; its recommendations are not final legal requirements. 

Depending on the final rules, textile DPP information may cover product identification, fibre composition, environmental performance, care and maintenance, and information supporting reuse, repair and recycling. 

Follow the Commission’s textile apparel DPP page and JRC preparatory study for updates. 

Iron and Steel 

Iron and steel are among the first product groups prioritised under the ESPR. The Commission currently indicates Q4 2026 for adoption of the relevant delegated act. The final act will confirm the products covered, detailed requirements and compliance dates. 

Information being considered includes product identification and classification, technical and material characteristics, recycled content, sustainability information and supporting compliance documentation. These requirements remain subject to the final rules. 

Visit the Commission’s iron and steel DPP page for regulatory developments and supporting studies. 

In July 2026, the European Commission published references to the first six harmonised European DPP standards through Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1736. These address common technical requirements, including unique identifiers, data exchange and interoperability between DPP systems. Following them provides a presumption of conformity with the ESPR requirements they cover.

For businesses, this reinforces the value of building on open, globally recognised standards. GS1 identifiers, including GTINs and GLNs, and GS1 Digital Link comply with relevant ISO/IEC standards underpinning product identification and digital access. These provide foundations businesses can extend to support DPPs, while maintaining connections with existing supply-chain systems.

GS1 in Europe has contributed through its liaison with CEN-CENELEC’s DPP standards committee. International work is also progressing through ISO/IEC JTC 5, which focuses on interoperability across sectors and systems. GS1 Australia contributes through Standards Australia, helping bring Australian industry perspectives into this work.

Using GS1 standards supports DPP implementation; compliance also depends on the complete system and the requirements applying to each product category.

Digital Product Passport frameworks and related initiatives are emerging across Asia-Pacific. China is developing a voluntary national DPP standard, while South Korea is preparing an eco-design framework that includes DPPs. Japan’s Ouranos Ecosystem supports interoperable data sharing across businesses and borders, and Vietnam has introduced provisions for electronic labelling and DPPs within its product-quality framework. These initiatives differ in scope, legal status and timing. For Australian businesses trading across the region, they reinforce the value of globally recognised identifiers and interoperable product data that can support different market requirements.

With the growing references to DPP across jurisdictions, there is a need for international standardisation. ISO and IEC have established ISO/IEC JTC 5 — Digital Product Passport to develop standards supporting DPP deployment across sectors and systems. GS1 Australia is actively contributing to this work.

European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

The EUDR is separate from the EU’s Digital Product Passport requirements and does not require a DPP. However, it creates related needs for reliable information about product origins and supply-chain traceability.

It covers cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood, and specified products derived from them. Relevant products must be deforestation-free, meet applicable forest-degradation requirements for wood, and comply with relevant laws in the country of production. The deforestation cut-off date is 31 December 2020.

The main obligations generally apply from 30 December 2026, with a later date of 30 June 2027 for eligible micro and small operators. Exceptions apply, including for certain timber products.

Australian producers and exporters of affected products will need to provide information to support their EU customers’ compliance, including production locations and evidence of legal, deforestation-free production. Building capabilities to identify products and locations, connect supporting evidence and share traceability data can help businesses prepare for both EUDR and DPP-related information needs.

Read DAFF’s guidance on affected products and requirements for Australian exporters.