What is a Digital Product Passport (DPP)?

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital document mandated by the EU ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation). It contains environmental, traceability, and compliance information about a product, accessible via a QR code.

When does the DPP become mandatory?

The textile sector is first in line, with a mandate expected for 2027. Batteries, electronics, and other sectors will follow progressively.

Do I need technical skills to create a DPP?

No. DPPify is designed as a no-code tool. The guided form walks you through each step, and the completion score shows you in real time what's left to fill in.

Is data hosted in Europe?

Yes. All data is hosted on European servers, in compliance with GDPR. No data is transferred outside the EU.

Can I import my existing product catalog?

Yes. The smart CSV import automatically recognizes your columns (French or English headers) and maps the data to the appropriate DPP fields.

Product QR Codes and GS1 Digital Link: The Winning Duo for DPP

QR codes for traceability

The QR code is not new, but its role is evolving significantly with the Digital Product Passport. It's no longer simply about redirecting to a website — it serves as a universal access point to a product's structured data.

With the DPP, each QR code printed on a product or its packaging allows anyone to instantly access:

Product composition
Origin and supply chain information
Certifications and labels
Repair and recycling instructions

GS1 Digital Link: the identification standard

GS1 Digital Link is an international standard that transforms traditional barcodes (GTIN, EAN) into web URIs. Instead of a simple number, each product has a unique, standardised URL.

A GS1 Digital Link example:

```
https://id.gs1.org/01/09506000134352
```

This URI encodes the product's GTIN identifier and can resolve to different resources: product page, technical sheet, DPP, recall information, etc.

Why GS1 Digital Link is essential for DPP

Interoperability

All actors in the chain — manufacturers, distributors, recyclers, authorities — use the same standard to identify a product. No proprietary format, no fragmentation.

Multi-context resolution

A single QR code can direct to different information depending on context:

A consumer sees the public product page
A distributor accesses logistics information
A recycler gets composition data for sorting
An authority verifies regulatory compliance

Longevity

Unlike a QR code pointing to a proprietary URL, GS1 Digital Link is an open standard. Even if you change your technical provider, the product identifier remains the same.

How it works in practice

Step 1: Identify your product

Assign a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) to your product via GS1. If you already have barcodes, you probably already have a GTIN.

Step 2: Create your DPP

Use a platform like DPPify to enter your product data: composition, origin, certifications, instructions.

Step 3: Generate the QR code

The platform automatically generates a QR code compliant with the GS1 Digital Link standard, encoding your product's unique identifier.

Step 4: Apply to the product

Print the QR code on the product, its packaging, or its label. A minimum size of 15x15mm is recommended to ensure readability.

QR code vs NFC vs RFID

The ESPR regulation does not mandate a single type of data carrier. Three technologies are considered:

QR code: most accessible, readable by any smartphone, virtually zero cost
NFC: contactless, practical for textiles and luxury goods
RFID: for logistics and high volumes, remote reading

For most SMEs, the QR code remains the most pragmatic solution: no chip to integrate, no additional per-unit cost, and universal compatibility.

Best practices

Minimum size: at least 15x15mm, ideally 20x20mm
Contrast: light background, dark modules (avoid fancy coloured QR codes)
Placement: visible without opening the packaging if possible
Redundancy: use error correction level M or Q
Testing: always scan the printed QR code to verify it works

Conclusion

The QR code + GS1 Digital Link combination forms the technical backbone of the DPP. It's the simplest and most cost-effective way to make your digital passports accessible to all actors in the value chain.