Brussels – The digital identity card for European products is taking shape: the European Commission has launched the Digital Product Passport Registry. This tool will enable the registration and verification of digital passports for goods marketed within the EU. The EU executive announced this in a press release.
The register is one of the cornerstones of the Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR) and will serve as a single European index for digital passports. It will not contain all the information on individual products—which will remain with businesses or service providers—but will store their unique identifiers and the metadata necessary to ensure their authenticity and traceability. Via a QR code or another digital medium, the Digital Passport will enable consumers, businesses and authorities to access information such as the product’s origin, the materials used, instructions for repair and reuse, and compliance with European legislation, to promote more transparent supply chains and more informed purchasing decisions.
The register will also serve as a tool for checks: customs authorities will be able to verify that imported products have a valid passport before entering the European market, while supervisory authorities will have quicker access to the information required for their inspection activities. The infrastructure will gradually cover several sectors, including textiles, steel, aluminium, tyres, furniture, ICT, and energy products, as well as categories subject to specific regulations, such as toys, detergents, and construction materials.
The first mandatory application of the Digital Passport will come into force on 18 February 2027 for certain categories of batteries. Ahead of the deadline, Brussels has also set up a dedicated helpdesk, a test environment, and a portal containing technical documentation to support businesses and operators in the transition to the new system.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
