The DPP is part of the European Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR) (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781), which entered into force in 2024. The ESPR provides the framework; the specific sustainability requirements are established through product-specific or horizontal legislative acts. The DPP serves as the technical bridge that makes this information digitally accessible—and is also incorporated into other regulatory frameworks, such as the Battery and Toy Regulations.

Starting February 18, 2027, the battery passport will be mandatory in the EU. Textiles are expected to follow in 2027, and steel, aluminum, furniture, tires, and chemicals by 2029.

Depending on the product category, a DPP includes, among other things, information on material composition, reparability, durability, carbon footprint, and origin within the supply chain. The specific scope is defined for each industry through delegated acts.

The DPP is accessed via a data carrier attached to the product (such as a QR code or NFC chip). Consumers, recyclers, market surveillance authorities, and customs officials are granted access to the relevant information, based on their respective authorization levels.