What is the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry?
The European Commission has launched the EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry, marking an important milestone in implementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). While the Registry is now operational, this does not mean every product must immediately have a Digital Product Passport. Instead, it provides the infrastructure for registering Digital Product Passports as product-specific regulations come into force.
This article explains what the DPP Registry is, who it applies to, what information it stores, and the practical steps manufacturers should take to prepare.
The DPP Registry is now live. What does that mean?
The European Commission has officially made the Digital Product Passport Registry available to economic operators, together with a testing environment and supporting guidance.
The Registry acts as a central service that allows Digital Product Passports to be registered and located by authorised users. It supports the EU’s broader goal of improving product transparency, traceability, and sustainability across supply chains.
Importantly, the Registry does not replace the Digital Product Passport itself. It simply provides a way to register and identify passports in a consistent manner across the European Union.
What exactly is the DPP Registry?
Think of the Registry as a directory rather than a database.
A Digital Product Passport contains detailed information about a product, such as its materials, origin, sustainability data, repair information, or recycling guidance.
The Registry stores the information needed to identify and locate that passport—it is not intended to hold all of the product’s detailed data.
This approach allows manufacturers to maintain their passport data while enabling regulators to find and verify passport records through a common EU service.
Does the Registry mean Digital Product Passports are now mandatory?
No.
The launch of the Registry does not automatically introduce new compliance obligations.
Whether a product requires a Digital Product Passport depends on the legislation that applies to that product category.
For example, batteries are among the first product groups covered under EU legislation. Other sectors, such as textiles, construction products, electronics, and additional ESPR product categories, will follow as new delegated acts are introduced.
Which products are expected to use the Registry?
The Registry has been designed to support products that require Digital Product Passports under EU legislation.
Current and upcoming categories include:
- Batteries
- Construction products
- Toys
- Detergents
- Future product groups covered by ESPR delegated acts
As more regulations are introduced, additional industries will gradually become part of the Digital Product Passport framework.
What information does the Registry store?
The Registry stores information required to register and identify a Digital Product Passport.
Depending on the applicable legislation, this may include:
- Passport identifier
- Product identifier
- Information about the responsible economic operator
- Registration metadata
The detailed Digital Product Passport remains with the manufacturer or their Digital Product Passport service provider.
What the Registry does not do
A common misconception is that the Registry stores every Digital Product Passport.
It does not.
The Registry is not:
- A product information database
- A compliance certification system
- A repository for all technical documentation
Instead, it provides a standard way to register and locate Digital Product Passports.
What should manufacturers do now?
Although many Digital Product Passport requirements will become mandatory over the coming years, businesses should start preparing early.
Key preparation steps include:
- Understanding which regulations apply to your products.
- Identifying the product information that will be required.
- Improving supply chain traceability.
- Working with suppliers to collect reliable product data.
- Preparing systems capable of managing Digital Product Passports.
Starting early reduces the effort required when product-specific regulations become mandatory.
How Evidnt can help
Managing Digital Product Passports requires accurate product information, supply chain visibility, and reliable traceability.
Evidnt helps organisations prepare for these requirements by providing:
- End-to-end product traceability
- Digital Product Passport management
- Supply chain visibility
- Material and component genealogy
- QR code integration
- API-first connectivity
- Support for multiple industry-specific Digital Product Passport use cases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DPP Registry the same as a Digital Product Passport?
No. A Digital Product Passport contains product information, while the Registry helps register and locate those passports.
Does the Registry store all product information?
No. It stores registration-related information rather than the complete passport.
Is every manufacturer required to use the Registry today?
No. Requirements depend on the legislation that applies to specific product categories.
Which product group is affected first?
Battery Passports are among the earliest Digital Product Passport implementations under EU legislation.
References
- European Commission – Digital Product Passport
Official overview of the Digital Product Passport framework under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. - European Commission – Digital Product Passport Registry
Official information on the EU DPP Registry, testing environment, and guidance for economic operators. - Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 – Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
The legal basis establishing the Digital Product Passport framework and requiring the European Commission to create the DPP Registry. - Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 – Batteries Regulation
Introduces Battery Passport requirements and registration obligations for batteries placed on the EU market. - Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 – eIDAS Regulation
Establishes the framework for electronic identification and trust services, including qualified electronic seals.