The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation entered into force on July 18, 2024. It applies directly across all 27 EU member states and covers any company that manufactures, imports, or places physical products on the EU market, regardless of where those products are produced. 

A Digital Product Passport is a machine-readable, uniquely identified digital record linked to each physical product through a data carrier, most commonly a QR code. It provides structured access to lifecycle-level product data: material composition, recycled content, carbon footprint, substances of concern, disassembly and repair instructions, and end-of-life handling. The DPP must remain accessible for the product's typical lifetime plus an additional ten years, including in the event of manufacturer insolvency or market exit. 

ESPR does not define DPP requirements product by product. The European Commission publishes delegated acts that specify mandatory data fields, access rights, and interoperability standards for each product category. The first ESPR Working Plan, adopted on April 16, 2025, identifies iron and steel as the first priority product group, with a delegated act expected in 2026. Textiles and apparel, tires, and aluminum follow with delegated acts expected in 2027, and furniture in 2028. 

From February 18, 2027, electric vehicle batteries, light means of transport batteries, and industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh placed on the EU market must carry a battery passport accessible via QR code and unique product identifier. DPP requirements for additional product categories take effect as each product-specific delegated act is published and its compliance window closes.