Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are a way to give consumers clearer, more detailed information about the products they buy. This guide has been created specifically for Australia’s clothing textiles sector by GS1 Australia and Seamless to explain DPPs and their potential benefits and impacts.
Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are a concept that first emerged in Europe as a way of giving consumers clearer, more detailed information about the products they buy. For the clothing sector, this often includes details about materials, where products are made, and how they can be reused or recycled.
While much of the early discussion has focused on the role of clothing brands and retailers in sharing information with consumers, the idea of DPPs is broader. In practice, they can apply across the entire supply chain – from raw material providers and manufacturers, through to retailers and regulators.
This resource, developed by GS1 Australia and Seamless, provides useful information on DPPs generally, as well as European Union (EU) DPPs for the Australian clothing textiles sector. DPPs present an opportunity for producers and consumers to track a product’s resource use and impact across the entire supply chain, providing increased transparency and accountability, and the opportunity for circular innovations.
What is a Digital Product Passport?
While it sounds like a physical booklet or certificate, a Digital Product Passport (DPP) is actually a metaphor for a product’s digital ID.
In practice, the passport is created, or provided, by linking to information about a product via the product’s digital label – most commonly a QR code containing the product identifier. Scanning that code gives businesses and consumers quick access to trusted information, such as what the product is made from, where it was produced, and how it can be reused, repaired, or recycled. This serves as a digital identity for the product throughout its value chain.
Just as many products today direct customers to online washing or usage instructions, a DPP connects garments to a broader set of information. This makes data that was once hidden deep in supply chains readily available, helping people make better choices and keeping products in use for longer.
Information contained in a DPP may also be printed on care labels or packaging. DPPs don’t replace this information - they extend it, often making information more accessible, for example, in different languages or font sizes that people can easily find and read.
Are DPPs mandatory in Australia?
DPPs are not currently mandatory for products placed on the Australian market. However, the clothing and textiles sector operates in a global economy, and DPPs are becoming mandatory in other markets, which will have impacts on Australian businesses.
Much of the current discussion on DPPs is being driven by the European Union’s mandatory framework. Under the EU Green Deal, the European Commission has introduced the 'Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)', which makes DPPs a legal requirement for certain in-scope products.
For Australian brands exporting these products to the EU, compliance with the EU DPP requirements stemming from the ESPR, will be necessary.
As the ESPR is a framework legislation, most of the detail will be provided in the implementing and delegated Acts. However, many organisations are already testing and learning. Companies are seeing DPPs as a way to respond to stakeholder and regulatory needs and are starting now, to set themselves up for the future.
When are we likely to implement DPPs, and for which products?
DPPs can be developed and used for any product – with or without regulations.
For the EU DPP requirements, the EU has drawn up a list of products that have the greatest impact on the environment and therefore should be addressed as a priority.
Specific delegated acts are expected for release between 2026 and 2027 which will outline the product-specific details, starting with textiles (final product) and iron and steel (intermediate products).
Below is a list of the final products in the ESPR First Working Plan 2025-2030 released in April 2025, as well as examples of vertical legislation where a DPP chapter has been incorporated. Please note this information is subject to change, and the latest information can be found on the European Commission website.
- Batteries – 2027 (EU Battery Regulation)
- Cosmetics – second quarter of2026 (Cosmetics Products regulation)
- Detergents – end of 2025 (Detergents and Surfactants regulation)
- Textiles and apparel – early 2027
- Furniture – 2028
- Tyres and energy-related products – 2027
- Mattresses and ICT products - 2029
What do I need to do now?
As noted above, while DPPs are not yet mandatory for products placed on the Australian market, Australian businesses operating in the global market can expect to be impacted by the EU regulation.
Global headwinds and the benefits that DPP offers to achieving a circular clothing economy means that voluntary adoption of DPP can also be expected. This presents an opportunity to position businesses to meet compliance requirements while driving innovation.
Even if you don’t export to the EU, global retailers and brands are likely to expect DPP-ready data from their suppliers in the future. Early preparation reduces compliance costs and builds competitive advantage.
Looking to get started? Consider the following steps:
1. Map your data. Pick a product category or item and identify what product information you already hold and where it’s stored.
2. Pilot a QR code or digital label. Use what you have to start trialling how product data could be linked and displayed. Think about placement of the QR code and how you want to engage with your stakeholders. Use information you already have and start small. Use standards such as GS1 identifiers and GS1 Digital Link standards to ensure your DPP architecture and QR code is interoperable and globally recognised. Contact GS1 Australia for further guidance.
3. Align your supply chain. Work collaboratively with suppliers, partners and customers to ensure data consistency and shared standards across the chain.
4. Close the gaps. Plan how to capture missing information, especially material composition and certifications. To understand what your gaps are, review draft data models and pilots or contact Seamless to discuss which Seamless supporters may be able to assist.
