August 13, 2026 Industry news
The European Commission has launched the Digital Product Passport Registry, marking an important step in the practical rollout of Digital Product Passports across the European market.
For UK businesses selling into the EU, this is a clear signal that DPPs are moving from policy into implementation. While not every product category is affected immediately, businesses should be using this time to get their product data in order.
What has changed?
The new Registry will act as the European indexing service for Digital Product Passports. It will not store every piece of product information centrally. Instead, it will hold unique identifiers, registration data and key metadata, while detailed product data remains with the relevant business or its chosen DPP service provider.
Businesses remain responsible for the accuracy, availability and maintenance of their DPP data. They may host the DPP themselves, but for in scope products they must also make a backup copy available through a DPP service provider, as required under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
The Commission has also launched a testing environment, allowing businesses to familiarise themselves with the registration process and test DPP workflows before going live. The Registry will support organisation enrolment and the registration and management of DPPs, including unique product identifiers and associated metadata.
This means businesses will still be responsible for creating, maintaining and sharing accurate product information. The Registry provides the infrastructure needed to connect that information to products placed on the EU market.
Why it matters
Digital Product Passports are designed to improve transparency, support circular business models and make accurate, verifiable product information available across a product’s lifecycle.
The first mandatory requirements will apply to certain types of batteries from 18 February 2027, with further priority sectors expected to follow, including textiles, construction products, electronics, iron and steel.
For UK exporters, the message is simple. DPPs are coming and preparation cannot wait.
Getting ready starts with data
DPP requirements will be data heavy. Businesses will need to share structured product information, including composition, sustainability credentials and supply chain history, through a digital record linked to each item.
That makes product data readiness essential. Businesses should start by understanding what data they already hold, where it sits, how reliable it is and what gaps need to be addressed.
How GS1 standards can help
GS1 standards provide the common language needed to identify, capture and share product information consistently across supply chains.
Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) can uniquely identify products, while Global Location Numbers (GLNs) can identify organisations, locations and facilities. GS1 Digital Link enables those identifiers to become web enabled, connecting physical products to trusted digital information.
QR codes powered by GS1 can then provide the access point between the product and its Digital Product Passport, while also supporting consumer information, customs checks, repair and recycling data and point of sale scanning through a single symbol.
What businesses should do now
The Registry going live does not mean every business needs to register every product today. It does mean the infrastructure is now taking shape.
A good starting point is to:
- audit existing product data
- identify missing or inconsistent information
- review how products, locations and suppliers are identified
- speak to supply chain partners about the data they will need to provide
- explore how QR codes powered by GS1, NFC, RFID or other data carriers could connect products to digital information
- keep track of sector specific DPP timelines as they develop
From compliance to opportunity
Digital Product Passports may begin as a regulatory requirement, but they also offer a wider opportunity.
Better product data can help build trust, improve supply chain visibility, support repair, resale and recycling and help businesses tell a clearer sustainability story.
The launch of the DPP Registry is another reminder that product transparency is becoming a practical requirement for trade. Businesses that act now will be better placed to comply, compete and create value from the data behind their products.
To learn more about how GS1 standards can support Digital Product Passport readiness, visit our Digital Product Passports hub or get in touch with the GS1 UK team.
For more technical guidance, businesses can also review the GS1 Digital Product Passport Provisional Standard.
