The EU Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are already in motion. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) entered into force in July 2024. The textile Delegated Act is targeted for 2027. The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has now published its data specification methodology: the most authoritative source yet on exactly what your DPP will need to contain. And now, you can see what a live, consumer-facing DPP looks like in practice.
This article sets out the four steps to DPP readiness, explains what the JRC methodology means for your data strategy, and introduces the latest version of Segura's end-to-end DPP platform - now live!
DPP data specification methodology (JRC145830, March 2026)
Step 1: Map your suppliers and build supply chain transparency
Step 2: Capture essential product and ESG data for the EU DPP
Step 3: Designing consumer-facing Digital Product Passports for websites
Step 4: Plan a durable data carrier (QR codes, NFC) to meet EU labelling requirements
End-to-end DPP Solution for fashion retailers
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Start Your Digital Product Passport Project Now?
In March 2026, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre published Methodology for defining data requirements for the Digital Product Passport under the ESPR framework (JRC145830). This is the authoritative technical framework that ESPR preparatory study teams will use to define exactly which data fashion brands must include in their Digital Product Passports, distinguishing between essential, strongly recommended, and voluntary data elements. And it confirms the four categories of DPP content that may be required through the textile Delegated Act, as set out in ESPR Annex III:
1. Product and producer identification
This is the foundational layer of the DPP. It covers the three unique identifiers required under the ESPR: a Unique Product Identifier (UPI) linking the product to its digital record, a Unique Operator Identifier (UOI) identifying the responsible economic operator, and a Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) identifying the locations involved in production. It also includes descriptive information, including product name, model designation, manufacturer contact details, and facility information, that gives the identifiers human-readable context.
2. Product-specific information parameters
This category covers sustainability and circularity information specific to the product group - for textiles, this is expected to include material composition, recycled content, durability and reparability data, care and maintenance guidance, and end-of-life treatment information for recyclers and treatment facilities.
3. Information on substances of concern
Where relevant for a product group, the DPP may be required to disclose information on substances that adversely affect human health or the environment, or that hinder reuse, refurbishment or high-quality recycling. For fashion and textiles, this is particularly relevant given the chemical use involved in dyeing, finishing and treatment processes.
4. Information required under other Union law
The ESPR allows the DPP to consolidate, where appropriate, information already required under other EU legislation, such as compliance declarations, safety instructions, or labelling requirements. This category does not create new obligations but provides a legal route to make existing disclosures accessible through a single digital record, reducing duplication for brands already reporting under multiple frameworks.
The methodology provides the framework that policymakers will use to assess which data points within each of these categories are feasible and proportionate to require, which distinguishes between essential, strongly recommended and voluntary elements.
What we recommend doing right now: run a gap analysis
The JRC methodology sets out the data your DPP is expected to contain. We would strongly recommend using this as a framework to identify which of these data points you currently collect and which are missing, before the Delegated Act lands and the clock starts.
The gap analysis should cover three questions:
Segura’s supply chain visibility software provides a single source of truth for supplier data, enabling real-time reporting, risk management and ESG analysis, removing the reliance on outdated spreadsheets. Segura's supply chain mapping module captures supplier data at the order level (not just as a static directory, but tracking which supplier did what for each purchase order). This order-based approach is a fundamental differentiator: it means your DPP data reflects actual production, not aspirational supplier lists.
The value of supply chain mapping to support compliance with DPPs is clear.
Discover how to map your supply chain and why it matters.
With supply chain visibility in place, the next step is to collect the product information needed for the Digital Product Passport. Although the final delegated acts are still being drafted, pilot projects indicate that textile DPPs will likely require data on:
Some social or ethical indicators (for example, labour practices) may also be included, though not yet confirmed.
Segura's AI certificate management (now live) automates the collection, extraction, categorisation and validation of supplier certificates. AI-powered document recognition extracts key data points directly from uploaded certificates, cross-references them against approved supplier records and known certification bodies, and generates a confidence score. High-confidence certificates are approved automatically; lower-scoring submissions are flagged for human review.
Find out more about what data you are likely to need to collect: Digital Product Passport data collection details in the fashion and textile sector.
The European Commission plans to operate a central registry that stores all unique DPP identifiers to enable market surveillance and customs checks.
Retailers are likely to be required to upload and maintain their DPP data in this registry, ensuring that product information remains accessible to authorities throughout the product’s lifecycle.
Segura can support retailers by providing functionality to export or upload DPP data directly into the EU registry once technical specifications are finalised. This integration will help ensure ongoing compliance, reduce manual data handling, and give brands confidence that their product data is correctly stored and maintained in line with EU requirements.
Once your product data is collected, decide how to present it to consumers. The EU DPP framework is expected to require long-term accessibility for the expected lifetime of the product, even after it's no longer on sale.
Segura offers two versatile options for making Digital Product Passports (DPPs) accessible.
Many retailers adopt a dual strategy: host DPPs on their own site while the product is for sale, then redirect to a hosted page to preserve long-term access.
Segura has released a significant update to its consumer-facing DPP interface. The new design elevates the presentation of product and supply chain data - moving from a functional data display to a polished, branded consumer experience. You can see it live now: Demo
The updated DPP interface for 'Hosted Solution' now includes:
Segura can manage links between each product and its hosted DPP data. To ensure the best experience, the QR code must be easy to scan. Beyond DPP access, QR codes can offer additional value, connecting consumers to your brand story, special offers, or loyalty programmes.
Segura starts at Step 1, unlike most DPP providers, who start at Step 3: interface solution only. The DPP is only as credible as the data behind it. A well-designed consumer page built on unverified supplier declarations, incomplete material data, and manually managed certificates is not a DPP - it is a marketing claim waiting to be challenged.
Segura's end-to-end approach means:
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation is already in force, but delegated acts defining the exact textile DPP rules are still being finalised. Mid‑2027 remains the working target for the first implementation, with additional phases possible.
Yes, while the Digital Product Passport for textiles is a regulatory requirement, it also brings significant commercial and strategic benefits for retailers and brands. By capturing and sharing transparent product data, brands can:
A Digital Product Passport platform, on its own, is like putting a roof in place before you’ve built the house.
Without the foundations - your supplier data, and the walls - your product data, the roof has nothing to rest on.
First, you need the solid groundwork of supplier visibility, then you need to build the product data structure. When you have both, then you can implement a DPP solution.
Here are some estimated timelines:
| Duration (est.) | Tasks to reach a compliant Digital Product Passport solution |
|---|---|
| 3-6 months | Identify and select a supply chain mapping platform, set out your requirements and create a phased deployment plan aligned to your legislative requirements, targets and commitments. |
| 1-6 months | Discover and map your upstream supply chain; the size of your business can affect your timescales. |
| Ongoing | Collect product data, ESG data and evidence whilst uncovering risks; Gap analysis will be simpler through reporting, however, ongoing management and supplier engagement is key to success. |
| Ongoing | Take action to mitigate risks; through a platform, you will be able to identify risks, but this will require ongoing reviews and focus. |
| 3-9 months | Move forward with a DPP solution, timescales will be dependent on your desired approach, but shouldn't be under-estimated — engage your internal teams now and plan those activities. |
E-Commerce teams are understandably protective of their native website. Product pages are highly optimised for sales conversion, and digital sales teams test and tweak changes regularly to help improve sales conversions.
E-commerce teams will welcome knowing that they can maintain control over brand experience. Segura can provide the necessary data for embedding content on individual product pages, allowing retailers to maintain a consistent, branded customer experience while enriching product listings with verified sustainability and supply chain information.
Alternatively, wholesaler partners that don’t require e-commerce functionality, or SME retailers who don't have the capacity to handle the technical development, can opt for Segura’s hosted DPP solution. This version is white labelled and can be customised with a client’s branding. It features a user-friendly template that includes a supply chain map, supplier tier information, and verified environmental and ethical data points.
A critical consideration when implementing a DPP strategy is its long-term accessibility. The DPP must remain available for the anticipated lifetime of a product, which is likely after a product is no longer on sale.
Therefore, a dual solution could also be employed. Retailers might initially host DPPs on their own site during a product’s retail lifespan, then transition to Segura’s hosted solution to ensure continued access. For example, once the item is removed from sale, the product page is redirected to a Product Sustainability directory with ‘end-of-life’ information.
A Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system is a planning tool for product design and sourcing.
It helps teams make strategic decisions on materials, composition, and environmental impacts, and is invaluable for exploring circular design, recycling, and re-use at the design stage.
A Digital Product Passport (DPP), however, must capture the actual supply chain reality: what was produced, purchased, and by which suppliers for each product line.
For a complete DPP, combine the design insights from your PLM with the verified supplier data from a supply chain traceability platform like Segura. These systems can share data seamlessly through API integration, ensuring real-time updates across all tiers of the supply chain.
On its own, a PLM cannot provide the verified data required for DPP legislative compliance.
For more, read our article: What is the difference between PLM and Supply Chain Visibility (SCV) software?
DPP is not simply a labelling update. It is a data infrastructure requirement. Mid-2027 may sound distant, but mapping suppliers, gathering multi-tier product data and integrating systems can easily take 12–24 months. Especially, the DPP is more than a compliance obligation - it can be a strategic opportunity to future-proof your brand, build consumer trust, and position your business as a sustainability leader.
Immediate considerations for your team:
Starting early provides significant advantages:
Segura helps fashion and textile brands map suppliers, capture ESG data, and present consumer-friendly Digital Product Passports. Read more about Segura’s Digital Product Passport here. Let us take the weight of the EU legislation and compliance, and you can gain the commercial benefits!
Contact us at info@segura.co.uk to discuss your DPP compliance strategy.