The EU’s digital product passport for electronics will transform how products are designed, tracked, and sold across the market. Find out what’s changing, when new regulations take effect, and how your business can stay ahead.

A New Era for Transparency and Sustainability

The European Union is bringing sweeping change to the electronics industry through the introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPPs). Mandated by the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), these digital records aim to create full transparency and accountability throughout the lifecycle of electronic products from raw materials to recycling.

Accordingly, the digital product passport for electronics will fundamentally reshape how manufacturers design, produce, and market their products in the European market.

What the Digital Product Passport Changes

To begin with, a Digital Product Passport acts as a digital identity card for a product. It contains detailed information about the materials used, how and where the product was made, its environmental footprint, and how it can be repaired, reused, or recycled. Accessible via a QR code or similar data carrier, the passport is meant to travel with the product and be available to all stakeholders. This includes manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and consumers.

Not only does this create a new level of transparency, but it also provides critical lifecycle data. Specifically, companies will need to disclose information on component sourcing, production methods, chemical use, and emissions. In addition, they must include data on energy consumption, carbon footprint, and disassembly processes. As a result, brands must rethink how product data is gathered, verified, and communicated.

What You Need to Know About the Timeline

The ESPR entered into force in July 2024. Electronics are among the first product groups being prioritized. Detailed requirements for electronic devices will likely be finalized in late 2025. Enforcement is expected to begin from 2026.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is working with stakeholders to define technical standards, data models, and platform interoperability. In the meantime, businesses should not wait. Rather, they should begin preparing systems and teams for compliance. After all, those who move first will be best positioned when the requirements take effect.