EU Digital Product Passport: What Manufacturers Need to Know Now

What Is the EU Digital Product Passport?

The EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a central element of the European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Starting 2027, batteries must carry a DPP — more product categories (textiles, electronics, steel) will follow by 2030.

The DPP is designed to make the following information machine-readable and accessible to all market participants:

• Material composition (raw materials, recycled content)
• Manufacturing process and carbon footprint
• Repairability and spare part availability
• Disposal routes and recycling information
• Compliance certificates and certifications

How Does the DPP Work Technically?

The DPP isn't a new file format — it leverages existing standards:

GS1 Digital Link URI

The QR code on the product encodes a GS1 Digital Link:

https://id.gs1.org/01/09521234543213/21/12345678?linkType=gs1:productDataSheet
       ├── resolver    ├── GTIN (01)     ├── serial (21)        └── link type

When someone scans this QR code, they're redirected to the GS1 resolver, which returns the appropriate landing page or API — depending on linkType and context (consumer vs. authority vs. recycling facility).

Data Structure (Simplified)

{
  "@context": "https://gs1.org/voc/",
  "@type": "Product",
  "gtin": "09521234543213",
  "productName": "Lithium-Ion Battery 5000mAh",
  "brand": "ExampleTech GmbH",
  "manufacturingDate": "2026-01",
  "batteryChemistry": "LFP",
  "carbonFootprint": {
    "value": 12.4,
    "unit": "kg CO2e per kWh"
  },
  "recyclabilityRate": 0.95,
  "documents": [
    {
      "type": "gs1:productDataSheet",
      "url": "https://example.com/datasheet/battery-5000.pdf"
    }
  ]
}

What Do You Need to Do as a Manufacturer?

1. Register a GTIN for Every Product

Each product needs a unique Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). You obtain these through GS1 or your national GS1 organization.

2. Prepare and Host DPP Data

Product data must be accessible via a secured API. You can:

• Host your own DPP endpoint (GET /products/{gtin})
• Use a third-party provider like qr3.app as a resolver
• Register directly with the GS1 resolver

3. Generate and Apply QR Code

The QR code must contain the complete GS1 Digital Link:

import { QR3 } from "@qr3/sdk";

const client = new QR3({ apiKey: process.env.QR3_API_KEY! });

// Create GS1 Digital Link
const gtin = "09521234543213";
const serial = "BATCH2026001";
const gs1Url = `https://id.gs1.org/01/${gtin}/21/${serial}`;

const { data: code } = await client.codes.create({
  type: "url",
  url: gs1Url,
  title: `DPP – Battery ${gtin}`,
  is_dynamic: true, // For product data updates
  tags: ["dpp", "battery", gtin],
});

// Download SVG QR code (for label printing)
const svgUrl = code.image_svg_url + "?size=8";

qr3.app DPP Features

qr3.app includes a built-in GS1 Digital Link Parser:

// Parse GS1 Digital Link
const { data: parsed } = await client.dpp.parseGS1Link(
  "https://id.gs1.org/01/09521234543213/21/12345678"
);

console.log(parsed.gtin);   // "09521234543213"
console.log(parsed.serial); // "12345678"
console.log(parsed.ais);    // { "01": "09521234543213", "21": "12345678" }

Validate DPP Schema

// Validate product data against DPP schema
const { data: validation } = await client.dpp.validate({
  gtin: "09521234543213",
  productData: {
    productName: "Lithium-Ion Battery",
    batteryChemistry: "LFP",
    carbonFootprint: { value: 12.4, unit: "kg CO2e per kWh" },
  },
});

if (!validation.valid) {
  console.error(validation.errors);
  // ["carbonFootprint.value must include manufacturing data"]
}

Timeline and Affected Products

Important: Requirements vary by product category. Always consult the latest ESPR implementing acts.

Conclusion: Prepare Now

The DPP is coming — and the technical implementation is complex. qr3.app takes care of the QR code infrastructure for you: create compliance-ready GS1 Digital Links, keep product data current via the API, and use analytics to see who scans your product QR codes.

Start for free and test the DPP features: app.qr3.app/sign-up