DPP-READY
BY 2027
Digital Product Passports are now EU law. Starting in 2024, with mandatory compliance by mid-2027, all brands selling in the EU must provide a DPP for every product. The Chain generates them automatically from your existing data — no manual work.
EU Mandatory Deadline
Most brands need 12–24 months to be fully ready.
If you haven't started — start now.
A Digital Record
That Travels With
Every Product
At its core, a Digital Product Passport is a dynamic digital record linked to each individual garment. It holds the product's full story — where and how it was made, what it's made from, its environmental footprint, and what happens to it at end of life.
It's accessed through a QR code on the care label. Scan the tag on a jacket and you see exactly what it's made of, who made it, how much CO₂ it generated, and what to do with it when you're done wearing it.
The goal is transparency — not just for regulators, but for consumers and recyclers. This isn't optional. The DPP is a cornerstone of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and is embedded in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which became EU law in July 2024.
Source: Frankie Hewitson, FrankCo & The Chain Director
- Materials: 92% Organic Cotton, 8% Recycled Lycra
- Origin: Tier 1 — Istanbul, Turkey
- CO₂: 11kg per product
- End of life: Recyclable — fibre compatible
THE REGULATION
IT'S ALREADY LAW●
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) became EU law in July 2024. This applies to every brand selling apparel in the EU — SMEs included.
2024–2026
EARLY READINESS
- Early DPP readiness and live pilots
- Structured core datasets begin
- Proxy and modelled data allowed under ESPR
- EU publishes Delegated Act for textiles: January 2026
By 2027
MANDATORY ENFORCEMENT
- ~70+ structured datapoints per product required
- Mandatory textile DPP alignment
- EU-standard data structures enforced
- Non-compliance: fines + loss of EU market access
Mid-2027 enforcement start. Most brands need 12–24 months to prepare.
By 2033
FULL IMPLEMENTATION
- On track for ~180 datapoints per product
- Deeper lifecycle and circularity data required
- Expanded traceability and verification
- Full circular product record standard
What happens if you're not ready?
Non-compliance with ESPR and DPP requirements may result in financial penalties, restrictions on selling into EU markets, reputational damage during enforcement audits, and competitive disadvantage as compliant brands take market share. This applies to all brands — regardless of size. SME exemptions do not exist.
DPP DATA COVERAGE
70+ DATAPOINTS. AUTOMATICALLY STRUCTURED.
Today, The Chain meets a significant share of early EU textile DPP requirements. By 2027, we deliver 70+ structured datapoints per product — scaling to ~180 by 2033.
01
PRODUCT IDENTITY & STRUCTURE
- Unique product identifier (SKU or style code)
- Product name, category, season
- Brand or economic operator
- Linkable digital record (QR or URL-based DPP)
- Product imagery
02
MATERIAL COMPOSITION
- Fibre composition by material percentage
- Recycled content where applicable
- Material standards and certifications
- Indicative material origin (country or region)
03
MANUFACTURING & SUPPLY CHAIN
- Tier 1 factory name and location
- Tier 2 processing where known
- Tier 3 raw material origin where available
- Supplier country risk context
- Linked supplier and material certifications
04
ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINES
- Product-level CO₂ footprint
- Energy, water, and chemical intensity (modelled or proxy)
- Transport assumptions by mode and distance
05
SOCIAL & HUMAN RIGHTS
- Living wage benchmarks
- Adequate wage proxies
- Wage gap indicators and ladder logic
- Factory-level wage disclosures where available
- Policy and code of conduct alignment
06
CARE, USE & END-OF-LIFE
- Care instructions
- Basic repair guidance
- Recyclability narrative
- Fibre compatibility for recycling
07
GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE
- Regulatory mapping across EU frameworks
- Version-controlled data updates
- Data access logic (public and restricted)
HOW IT WORKS
FROM YOUR DATA TO A LIVE DPP —
AUTOMATICALLY●
Each DPP is generated at product level and linked to a live digital record within The Chain. Bring together product, material, supply chain, and impact data in one structured view — accessible by regulators, brands, and consumers.
DPP STRATEGY & READINESS
We assess where your data stands today and map a clear path to ESPR-aligned DPP compliance — without rebuilding your existing systems.
DATA COLLECTION & STRUCTURING
We gather product, material, supplier, and impact data and structure it according to EU requirements using standardised datasets. We start with what you already have.
DPP DEPLOYMENT
We generate Digital Product Passports for individual garments and link them through QR codes that live on care labels and connect to your ecommerce product pages.
ONGOING COMPLIANCE & UPDATES
We maintain your DPPs over time with version control, data governance, and evolving regulatory alignment — so you're always compliant, not just at launch.
THE CHAIN PLATFORM
DPPS BUILT INSIDE THE CHAIN PLATFORM.
From data input to live QR code — all in one dashboard. Here's what it looks like in practice.
PLATFORM DASHBOARD — DPP OVERVIEW
CONSUMER-FACING DPP PAGE
BLACK PEARL
No. 17 Wrap Dress
- Material: 92% Organic Cotton
- Origin: Istanbul, Turkey
- CO₂: 11kg per product
- Living wage: Verified ✓
- End of life: Recyclable
Scan for full passport
OUR DPP SERVICES
WE DO THE HEAVY LIFTING.
Four service tiers — from a one-off readiness assessment to full ongoing DPP management. The full package includes DPPs free.
DPP STRATEGY & READINESS
We assess where your data stands today and map a clear path to ESPR-aligned DPP compliance — without rebuilding your systems. Ideal starting point.
ASSESSMENTDATA COLLECTION & STRUCTURING
We gather product, material, supplier, and impact data and structure it according to EU requirements using standardised datasets. We start with what you already have.
DATA WORKDPP DEPLOYMENT
We generate Digital Product Passports for individual garments and link them through QR codes or URLs — on care labels and your ecommerce product pages.
LAUNCHONGOING COMPLIANCE & UPDATES
We maintain your DPPs over time — version control, data governance, and evolving regulatory alignment. Always compliant, not just at launch.
ONGOINGFREQUENTLY ASKED
YOUR DPP QUESTIONS, ANSWERED.
The passport is accessed through a QR code placed on the garment's care label. This ensures the DPP remains with the product throughout its lifecycle — not locked to a website or app.
Early textile DPPs typically involve around 70 structured datapoints per product by 2027, expanding toward 180 datapoints as EU standards mature through 2033. The Chain structures all of this for you.
No. The Chain uses automation and AI-supported data extraction to reduce manual input and streamline DPP management at scale. Most of the data you already have — we structure and connect it.
Yes. If you sell apparel or footwear in the EU, you must comply — regardless of size. SMEs are not exempt. The EU has signalled some guidance support, but the obligation is universal.
We prioritise practical compliance at a controlled cost. We help you use existing data, reduce manual input through automation, and avoid costly rebuilds by structuring DPPs to evolve with EU requirements over time. DPPs are free for full package clients.
Flexible pricing based on project scope. After an initial conversation we provide a transparent quote — no hidden costs. DPPs are included free in The Chain's Full Package. See full pricing →
frankie@thefrankco.com or book a call directly using the button below.
FROM THE INSIGHTS
SHOULD WE BE TAKING DPPS SERIOUSLY?
The DPP is not another passing regulatory trend. It's a cornerstone of the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan — legally binding and already reshaping how fashion products are made, marketed, and sold in the EU. For brands that embrace it, there are real strategic benefits. For those that ignore it, the cost of catching up later may be far higher than the cost of preparing now.
Read the full article → ↗The DPP is here to stay. For brands that embrace it, there are real strategic benefits. For those that ignore it, the cost of catching up may be far higher than the cost of preparing now.
Frankie Hewitson · Director, The Frank Co.
GET DPP-
READY●
The regulation is here. The deadline is set. We help you get ahead of it — without the panic.
- DPPs free with The Chain Full Package
- AI extraction — no manual data entry
- Compliant from day one, scaling to 2033
- Expert team — strategy + platform in one place
Or email frankie@thefrankco.com