Fashion is among the first industries the European Union is targeting with the Digital Product Passport (DPP). Unlike the vague “someday in the future” talk, here there are already concrete deadlines and concrete data you need to start collecting. This article is a practical roadmap — no panic, but no delay either.

Why textiles are among the first

Fashion produces enormous volumes and recycles very little. Overproduction, fast fashion, and low recycling rates are squarely in the EU’s sights — which is why textiles (apparel and footwear) are among the priority product groups in the first working plan under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781).

In practice this means the sector won’t be waiting for “some day” — it is among the first for which concrete Digital Product Passport requirements will apply. The earlier you start, the less it hurts.

What is already in force (2026)

The first concrete signal is already here: from 19 July 2026, large companies in the EU may no longer destroy unsold clothing and footwear. Medium-sized enterprises have a longer transition period (until 2030), and small and micro enterprises are exempt.

This ban is not the passport itself, but it is a clear precursor — the regulator already demands transparency about what is produced and what happens to unsold stock. The Digital Product Passport is the next step in the same direction.

What data the textile DPP will require

The exact fields will be set by a delegated act under ESPR, but the direction is already clear. Be ready to document at least the following:

• Fibre composition and materials — for example 80% cotton / 20% polyester.
• Origin and key production stages — where the product was woven, dyed, and sewn.
• Recycled-material content and recyclability.
• Presence of hazardous chemicals and substances of very high concern (SVHC).
• Durability and repairability.
• Care and end-of-life instructions — how to dispose of or recycle the product.
• A unique product identifier and a data carrier (QR code or RFID).

Who is responsible

Responsibility for the passport falls on the economic operator that places the product on the EU market. For domestically made goods that is the manufacturer or brand; for imported goods, the importer. If you buy finished products from a subcontractor abroad, the responsibility stays with you. If you’re not sure whether the requirements apply to your business, check with our short questionnaire.

The roadmap — 6 steps to start now

You don’t need the final text of the regulation to begin. Here’s what delivers the most value today:

1. Map your supply chain — who supplies what and from where. This is the slowest part and starts far upstream, so start today.
2. Digitise your product data (the bill of materials) — composition, origin, and stages, in a structured format, not scattered across emails and PDFs.
3. Introduce unique identifiers — at model, batch, or item level, depending on how you sell.
4. Choose a data carrier — a QR code or an RFID thread woven into the garment.
5. Choose a DPP approach — in-house software, a ready-made SaaS platform, or a provider that handles the technical part.
6. Pilot with a single product — one item, a full passport, before you scale to the whole collection.

For the difference between QR and RFID and why threads make sense for textiles, see our dedicated article on DPP and RFID in textiles.

The timeline in brief

The exact dates for the textile passport will be fixed in a delegated act. Here’s what is clear today:

• Already in force: the ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear (from July 2026 for large companies).
• Coming: a delegated act for the textile DPP that will define the exact data and dates. Textiles are among the priorities in the ESPR working plan, with requirements expected in the 2027–2030 window.
• The practical takeaway: the data you’ll need is collected years back up the supply chain.

In other words, whoever starts now meets the deadline prepared; whoever waits for the act itself is already behind. The gap isn’t the software — that deploys in weeks — it’s the data, which comes slowly from suppliers.

The Digital Product Passport isn’t just a regulatory burden. For fashion it’s also a chance to prove the real origin and sustainability of every item in a world tired of greenwashing. Start small — one collection, one pilot passport. See also our DPP solution for textiles.