The used goods market in Bulgaria is no longer niche or marginal. From online platforms for clothes and electronics, through physical second-hand stores, to B2B sales of refurbished equipment - re-commerce is gradually becoming a real part of the economy. At the same time, the European Union is introducing the Digital Product Passport as a key tool for sustainability, circular economy and transparency.

At first glanceDPPseems to be mainly aimed at new products. In reality, however, it is the second-hand market that is one of the sectors that will be most transformed. The passport changes not only the way products are sold, but also the way their quality, origin and residual value are proven.

In this article, we look at how the DPP will affect the used goods market in Bulgaria, what opportunities it will open up and what challenges it will pose to traders, platforms and consumers.

What does DPP have to do with the second-hand market?

From "what it looks like" to "what's its story"

Until now, the used goods market in Bulgaria was driven mainly by the visible condition of the product and by the trust between seller and buyer. Buyers often evaluate goods "by eye" and information about the origin, repairs or actual age of the product is incomplete or passed on verbally.

DPP introduces a different logic. A product is no longer just a physical object, but a carrier of data – about materials, use, repairs, service history and reusability. This fundamentally changes the way the value of a used product is assessed.

The passport as a bridge between the first and second life of the product

One of the main objectives of the DPP under the ESPR Regulation is to extend the life cycle of products. This means that the secondary market is no longer a "side effect" but a planned part of the product's life. When product information is available and traceable:

• reselling becomes easier
• repairs are more predictable
• the residual value is clearer

How the DPP will change confidence in the used market

From "trust me" to "check it yourself"

In Bulgaria, the market for used goods often suffers from low confidence, especially for electronics, household appliances and cars. The DPP introduces a new standard of verifiable information instead of promises. When a used product has a digital passport available, the buyer can see:

• when the product was manufactured
• what materials it contains
• whether and how it was repaired
• whether original parts are used
• recommendations for further use

This significantly reduces risk and changes buyer behavior.

Higher willingness to pay a higher price

One of the paradoxes of re-commerce is that better quality products are often harder to sell because quality cannot be proven. DPP solves exactly this problem. Used product with:

• clear story
• documented support
• transparent information

May sell for a higher price than an "anonymous" equivalent. This is a key change for the Bulgarian market.

Impact on the main re-commerce segments in Bulgaria

Used electronics and appliances

This is one of the segments that will most quickly feel the effect of DPP. The passport allows:

• track repairs and component replacements
• energy efficiency information
• battery data and remaining capacity

For Bulgarian sellers of refurbished equipment, this means easier trust building and stronger positioning compared to imported platforms.

Second hand textiles and fashion

The second use of clothes is extremely popular in Bulgaria, but there is often a lack of transparency regarding:

• the material composition
• durability of paints and fabrics
• the possibilities of recycling

DPP allows second-hand fashion platforms to show not just "condition", but the real value of the product.

Cars and spare parts

Although the automotive sector has its own regulations, the logic of the DPP will carry over here as well. The passport supports:

• better traceability of parts
• estimate of remaining life
• a more transparent secondary market

What does DPP mean for Bulgarian dealers of used goods

New requirements, but also new opportunities

For many marketers, DPP will initially seem like an extra effort – a need for data, structure and processes. However, in reality, the passport can become a competitive advantage.

Merchants who are the first to integrate DPP logic, display data instead of generic descriptions, and train their customers on how to "read" the passport will clearly stand out from the rest.

From transaction to service

DPP promotes the transition from one-time sales to services - repair, renovation, resale. This opens up new business models for the Bulgarian market as well.

The role of platforms and marketplaces

DPP as a product listing standard

Online second-hand platforms will be under increasing pressure to:

• integrate structured data
• allow attachment of passport information
• distinguish between products with and without a verifiable history

In the long run, this will lead to a more professionalized market.

Less hassle, more security

When information is clear and traceable, it reduces:

• the returns
• disputes between buyer and seller
• the need for mediation

Challenges facing the Bulgarian re-commerce market

Limited digital maturity

Many small traders in Bulgaria still work without structured data. The DPP will require:

• basic digitization
• minimal training
• a change in thinking

Costs and transition period

In the short term, there will be costs – time, organization, tools. However, they are significantly lower than the risk of being out of the market in the medium term.

How Bulgarian consumers will change with DPP

A more informed choice

Bulgarian consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive to quality and sustainability. DPP accelerates this process by providing real data, not marketing promises.

Change in Attitude to 'Used'

When the product has a passport, "second-hand" no longer means a compromise, but an informed choice.

The long-term effect of Re-commerce as a normal part of the market

The DPP will bring the secondary market out of the gray area and integrate it into the formal economy. For Bulgaria, this means:

• less waste
• longer product life
• a stronger market for services around repair and renovation

Conclusion

The digital product passport will transform the used goods market in Bulgaria not through prohibitions, but through transparency. It will make the product's story visible, its value measurable and trust more easily attainable.

For marketers, this is an opportunity to stand out. It's a chance for platforms to build more sustainable models. It will be a safer and more informed choice for consumers. Re-commerce with DPP is no longer a future concept, it is the next logical step towards a more mature, fairer and more sustainable market.