EU Digital Product Passport for Textiles Introduces New Transparency and Sustainability Requirements
Published: Last verified:
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 entered into force on 18 July 2024, creating the legal basis for the Digital Product Passport. A textile-specific delegated act is anticipated in January 2026, with enforcement of textile DPP requirements beginning July 2027. It affects every manufacturer, importer and authorised representative placing textile products on the EU market, requiring digital disclosure of material composition, production processes, environmental impact and end-of-life information via unique identifiers such as QR codes.
Frameworks:Eu ecodesign for sustainable products regulationDigital Product Passport
Key Dates:
2024-07-18The EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) entered into force.
2026-01Specific requirements for textile products are expected to be published.
2027-07Enforcement of the Digital Product Passport requirements for textiles begins.
14
Issuing authority
European Commission / European Union
Instrument
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) (EU) 2024/1781
Entered into force
18 July 2024
Textile-specific requirements
Expected January 2026; enforcement begins July 2027
Anticipated adoption of delegated act
Facts as stated on 17 April 2026
Executive summary
The EU Digital Product Passport textiles requirements under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) (EU) 2024/1781 mandate comprehensive digital records for textile products. The regulation entered into force on July 18, 2024, with specific textile DPP requirements expected by January 2026 and enforcement beginning July 2027.
Timeline
as of 17 April 2026
today
ESPR (EU) 2024/1781 entered into force
Specific textile DPP requirements expected
Enforcement begins
ESPR (EU) 2024/1781Digital Product Passport
Background & context
The European Union has established the Digital Product Passport framework as part of its broader strategy to promote circular economy principles in the textile sector. According to the European Parliament research, 5 million tonnes of clothing are discarded annually in the EU — approximately 12kg per person. Less than half of used clothes are collected for reuse or recycling, and only 1% of used clothes are recycled into new clothes.
EU textile waste figures cited by European Parliament research
Indicator
Figure
Clothing discarded annually in the EU
5 million tonnes
Clothing discarded per person
Approximately 12kg
Used clothes collected for reuse or recycling
Less than half
Used clothes recycled into new clothes
1%
Key developments
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) (EU) 2024/1781 entered into force on July 18, 2024, establishing the legal framework for Digital Product Passports across multiple product categories including textiles. The regulation requires manufacturers to provide comprehensive digital records accessible through unique product identifiers such as QR codes.
ESPR (EU) 2024/1781Digital Product Passport
Regulatory framework
The ESPR (EU) 2024/1781 serves as the primary legal instrument governing Digital Product Passport requirements for textiles. The regulation establishes a framework for delegated acts that will specify detailed requirements for individual product categories.
Key regulatory provisions
Mandatory digital product identification through unique identifiers
Comprehensive lifecycle data disclosure requirements
Supply chain transparency obligations
Consumer access to product information through digital carriers
The regulation empowers the European Commission to adopt delegated acts specifying detailed requirements for textile products, including data elements, technical specifications, and implementation timelines.
ESPR (EU) 2024/1781Digital Product Passport
Impact assessment
The textile DPP requirements will affect all companies placing textile products on the EU market, regardless of their location or size. This includes manufacturers, importers, and authorised representatives operating within the EU single market.
Specific impacts on affected companies
Impact area
Requirement
Supply Chain Mapping
Companies must trace materials back to raw material sources
Data Collection Systems
Implementation of comprehensive data management infrastructure
Supplier Engagement
Collaboration requirements with upstream supply chain partners
Consumer Interface
Development of accessible digital information systems
Compliance requirements
Textile companies must prepare for comprehensive data disclosure requirements covering:
Data disclosure categories for textile products
Category
Data required
Material Composition
Detailed information on fibers and materials used, including origin and environmental impact data
Production Processes
Manufacturing methods, energy consumption, and water usage metrics
Environmental Impact
Carbon footprint calculations, chemical usage records, and waste generation data
End-of-Life Information
Guidelines for product repair, reuse, and recycling
Companies must establish systems for data collection, validation, and digital presentation through standardised formats compatible with EU requirements.
Timeline & enforcement
The implementation timeline follows a phased approach:
Timeline
Phased rollout across textile product categories
ESPR entered into force
First draft of delegated act for textiles expected
Adoption of textile-specific delegated act anticipated
Enforcement of textile DPP requirements begins
The 18-month implementation period between delegated act adoption and enforcement provides companies with transition time to establish compliant systems.
ESPR (EU) 2024/1781Digital Product Passport
Regional variations
The Digital Product Passport requirements apply uniformly across all EU member states under the ESPR framework. No regional variations in core requirements are anticipated, as the regulation establishes harmonised standards for the EU single market.
Companies operating in multiple jurisdictions should note that the EU DPP requirements may differ from sustainability disclosure requirements in other markets such as the United States or Asia-Pacific regions.
Practical guidance
Textile companies should initiate preparation activities immediately:
Preparation activities
1
Data Infrastructure Assessment
Evaluate current Product Information Management (PIM) systems and identify gaps in data collection capabilities. Companies lacking comprehensive PIM systems should prioritise investment in robust data management platforms.
2
Supply Chain Engagement
Begin mapping supply chains to raw material level and establish data sharing agreements with suppliers. Focus on critical suppliers representing the highest volume or risk exposure.
3
Technology Integration
Investigate blockchain and other technologies for ensuring data integrity and traceability. The APPEND project in Sweden demonstrates successful integration of DPP systems with existing ERP platforms through QR codes and blockchain verification.
4
Team Training
Develop internal capabilities across design, sourcing, production, and marketing teams to understand DPP requirements and data management processes.
Companies should monitor European Commission publications for the textile-specific delegated act, expected in 2025, which will provide detailed technical requirements and data specifications.
What to do next
Actions and dates
1
Assess data infrastructure
Evaluate current Product Information Management (PIM) systems and identify gaps in data collection capabilities; prioritise investment in robust data management platforms where comprehensive PIM systems are lacking.
2
Map supply chains and agree data sharing
Begin mapping supply chains to raw material level and establish data sharing agreements with suppliers, focusing on critical suppliers representing the highest volume or risk exposure.
3
Investigate traceability technology
Investigate blockchain and other technologies for ensuring data integrity and traceability, and integration of DPP systems with existing ERP platforms through QR codes and blockchain verification.
4
Train internal teams
Develop internal capabilities across design, sourcing, production, and marketing teams to understand DPP requirements and data management processes.
When do the EU Digital Product Passport requirements for textiles become enforceable?
Enforcement of Digital Product Passport requirements for textiles begins in July 2027 under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. The textile-specific delegated act is anticipated for adoption in January 2026, giving an 18-month implementation period before enforcement. A phased rollout across textile product categories is expected between 2027 and 2030. The ESPR itself entered into force on 18 July 2024.
Which companies are covered by the ESPR textile Digital Product Passport obligations?
The textile DPP requirements under ESPR (EU) 2024/1781 apply to all companies placing textile products on the EU market, regardless of location or size. This includes manufacturers, importers and authorised representatives operating in the EU single market. Requirements apply uniformly across all member states; no regional variations in core requirements are anticipated, as the regulation establishes harmonised requirements for the single market.
What data must a textile Digital Product Passport contain under ESPR?
Under ESPR (EU) 2024/1781, textile companies must disclose material composition including fibre origin and environmental impact data; production processes covering manufacturing methods, energy consumption and water usage; environmental impact including carbon footprint, chemical usage and waste generation; and end-of-life information on repair, reuse and recycling. Data must be accessible to consumers through unique product identifiers such as QR codes in standardised formats.
Has the delegated act on textile Digital Product Passports been published yet?
No. ESPR (EU) 2024/1781 empowers the European Commission to adopt delegated acts specifying data elements, technical specifications and implementation timelines per product category. A first draft of the textile delegated act is expected in 2025, with adoption anticipated in January 2026. Until publication, the detailed technical data requirements for textiles are not fixed. Monitor European Commission publications for the draft text.
Why is the EU introducing a Digital Product Passport for textiles?
The Digital Product Passport under ESPR (EU) 2024/1781 supports circular economy objectives in the textile sector. European Parliament research records 5 million tonnes of clothing discarded annually in the EU, approximately 12kg per person. Less than half of used clothes are collected for reuse or recycling, and only 1% are recycled into new clothes. Source: European Parliament Research Service Study, Document EPRS_STU(2024)757808_EN.
Consider implementing DPP systems for select product lines to test processes and identify operational challenges before full-scale deployment.
5
Run pilot programmes
Implement DPP systems for select product lines to test processes and identify operational challenges before full-scale deployment.
6
Monitor the delegated act
Monitor European Commission publications for the textile-specific delegated act, which will provide detailed technical requirements and data specifications.
7
Prepare for enforcement
Use the 18-month implementation period between delegated act adoption and enforcement to establish compliant systems.
