How to Create a Digital Product Passport: Step-by-Step Practical Guide

Step 1: Define your DPP scope

Before creating anything, you need to know exactly what your DPP applies to.

Identify your product category. The ESPR regulation sets different requirements by sector. Batteries come first (2027), followed by textiles, electronics, and furniture. Check the delegated acts published by the European Commission for your category.

Decide on the identification level. A DPP can apply at model level (all units share the same passport) or at individual unit level (each product has its own unique identifier). For batteries and electronics, unit-level identification is often required.

List your priority references. If your catalogue is large, start with products that will be placed on the EU market first, or those with the highest volume.

Step 2: Collect the required data

This is often the longest step. Here are the data categories to assemble:

Identification data

• Product name, brand, model
• GTIN code (EAN-13 or GS1-128 barcode)
• Serial number (if DPP at unit level)
• Country and date of manufacture

Composition data

• List of main materials (with percentages where available)
• Substances of concern under REACH/SCIP
• For batteries: detailed chemical composition, share of recycled materials

Environmental data

• Carbon footprint (scope 1, 2, and ideally 3)
• Repairability index or durability score (depending on sector)
• Disassembly and end-of-life instructions

Certifications and compliance

• CE, RoHS, REACH, obtained environmental labels
• Available compliance documentation

Step 3: Choose a DPP creation platform

You can choose to develop an in-house solution or use a specialist SaaS platform. For the vast majority of SMEs, SaaS is the fastest and lowest-risk path.

A suitable platform must offer:

• A structured data entry form aligned with ESPR categories
• Automatic generation of a GS1 Digital Link-compliant identifier
• Publication of a publicly accessible product page
• Generation of a print-ready QR code for packaging or labels
• Update management when data changes

DPPify meets all these criteria. The no-code platform guides you through every step of creation, from data entry to QR code publication, with no technical skills required.

Step 4: Build your DPP on the platform

Once you have chosen your platform and prepared your data, creating the DPP typically follows this process:

1. Create a new product in your workspace
2. Fill in identification information: name, brand, model, GTIN
3. Complete the thematic sections: composition, environment, certifications, end of life
4. Upload supporting documents: safety data sheets, compliance declarations, LCA reports
5. Check completeness: the platform flags missing fields based on your category requirements
6. Publish the DPP: the passport becomes accessible via its unique URL

On DPPify, this process takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the amount of data available.

Step 5: Generate and deploy the GS1 Digital Link QR code

The GS1 Digital Link QR code is the physical interface between your product and its digital passport. It must:

• Encode a URI in GS1 Digital Link format (e.g. https://id.gs1.org/01/[GTIN]/21/[Serial number])
• Be readable by standard scanners and smartphones
• Point to your DPP with the correct access levels

Your DPP platform generates this QR code automatically. You can then:

• Print it on packaging: vector file (.SVG or .EPS) for your printer
• Print it as a label: to affix directly to the product
• Include it in product documentation: manuals, technical sheets

Always verify that the printed QR code scans correctly before starting production. Test it with multiple smartphones and professional scanners.

Step 6: Keep your DPP up to date

A DPP is not a static document. Several events should trigger an update:

• Composition change: new supplier, material substitution
• New certification obtained or certification expired
• Regulatory update: new delegated act that adds mandatory fields
• Data correction: error identified on an existing record

On DPPify, updates are instant: change the data in the interface, and the QR code already in circulation automatically points to the updated version. No need to reprint codes.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting for final delegated acts: the broad requirements are already known — you can start with available data and complete later.

Creating a static PDF passport: a PDF does not comply with GS1 Digital Link standards and is not considered a valid DPP.

Ignoring access levels: some information (commercially sensitive data) must not be publicly accessible. Your platform must manage these differentiated access rights.

Overlooking the supply chain: several data points (substances, recycled materials, upstream carbon footprint) come from your suppliers. Start engaging them early.

Conclusion

Creating a compliant Digital Product Passport is a project that requires organisation, but it is entirely manageable with the right tools. The key is to start: begin with one or two pilot products to master the process before rolling out to your full catalogue.

DPPify supports you from the first data entry to QR code publication, with an interface built for teams without technical expertise.