The Digital Product Passport will reshape global trade and mindsets
When the European Union introduces the Digital Product Passport (DPP) under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), it won’t only change compliance processes. It will redefine how products are made, documented and traded worldwide.
From 2026, every product entering the EU market, starting with batteries and later electronics, textiles and more – must carry a digital identity detailing everything from material composition to carbon footprint.
Even for companies outside Europe, this is a major turning point because if you want to sell into the EU, you’ll need to play by its data rules.
The global ripple effect
The DPP is not confined to Europe.
It will reshape global trade flows, forcing suppliers and manufacturers around the world to trace and disclose information that has never been shared before.
For non-EU companies, this means aligning data and systems with European standards long before local regulations might require it.
The momentum is already clear
The global DPP platforms market is projected to grow from USD 2.4 billion in 2025 to USD 10.8 billion by 2035, an increase of 350 percent over the decade, or a CAGR of 16.3 percent.
In other words, the market is set to grow 4.5 times in ten years, driven by regulatory demand and technological innovation.
While that might sound like a burden, it’s also an opportunity.
Companies that start building transparency now will gain a competitive edge once these standards inevitably go global.
The real challenges are data and mindset
Some companies are already taking the first steps.
The UK-based fashion brand Nobody’s Child has begun implementing Digital Product Passports to prepare for future regulations and meet growing consumer expectations for transparency.
Their early adoption highlights both the scale of the data challenge and the cultural shiftrequired across global supply chains.
As Jody Plows, CEO for Nobody’s Child, puts it:
“DPPs require a huge amount of data – about 110 data points per product. Historically, fashion supply chains have been opaque, and suppliers aren’t used to sharing this level of detail. We’re asking them for everything from fibre origins to energy sources. It’s a massive mindset shift.”
Implementing a DPP is not something you do overnight.
It takes time to build digital infrastructure, educate suppliers and ensure the data is accurate, verified and accessible across the entire value chain.
For industries like fashion, where opacity has long been the norm, this represents a cultural transformation, not just a technical one.
Why it matters
Transparency isn’t just a compliance checkbox; it’s becoming a market expectation..
As Plows adds:
“We’ve found that our customers want this information. We run quarterly surveys, and there’s a clear demand for more transparency around sustainability. Content about how products are made is increasingly popular on social media, so this aligns with broader consumer interest.”
In other words,
the DPP isn’t just for regulators, it’s for consumers too.
That’s why global brands are moving early, even outside the EU.
Key takeaway
Implementing a Digital Product Passport is not an overnight task.
It’s a long-term shift toward data transparency and shared accountability.
While compliance may begin in Europe, its impact will be global and will change how the world trades, collaborates and builds trust.