The Digital Product Passport (DPP) will keep and publish records of nearly all the products sold in the EU. The DPP will hold a comprehensive record of information about a product's lifecycle, made accessible through a unique identifier like a QR code. This makes it easier for consumers to make sustainable choices and for authorities to verify compliance with regulations. It aims to enhance transparency and close the gap between the growing demand for transparency and more reliable data to meet that demand.
With a DPP, the health and beauty industry, which already includes some labeling, will now require more extensive labeling with two components: a data carrier that gives access to a digital record.
Data Carrier: A physical element like a QR code that links to the product’s digital record.
Digital Record: Comprehensive data sourced across the value chain, accessible to consumers and stakeholders.
The DPP will be a crucial indicator of cosmetics brands' environmental performance in the EU market and is a significant development in sustainable product management. It is part of the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which became a mandate in July 2024. The introduction of the DPP represents a significant shift in business practices, affecting everything from labeling to technology implementation. While specific guidelines are still being developed, the DPP will likely revolutionize how product information is shared and accessed, and for some product categories, this could start as early as mid-2027.
As a digital record of a product’s key characteristics throughout its life, a DPP could include:
| Ingredient List | Source of raw materials |
|---|---|
| Product Origin | List of suppliers and manufacturers origins |
| Environmental Impact | • Carbon footprint |
| • Water, Energy, Resource and Land Use | |
| • Packaging materials | |
| Usage Instructions | Instructions on proper use of product |
| Certifications and Compliance | Cruelty-free status, fait trade, organic, regulation compliance |
| End-of-Life Cycle Guidelines | Proper disposal methods, Recycling instructions for packaging, take-back or refill program |
The DPP will demand significant data collection and analysis. By embracing DPPs, cosmetics brands can lead the way in transparency and sustainability, meeting the growing demands of not just regulation (like ESPR) but increasingly conscious consumers. Here are key steps cosmetics brands can take to prepare:
The industry-specific rollout of DPP will occur between 2026 and 2030, making it essential for cosmetics brands to start preparing now. Fairglow is here to help you stay ahead of regulatory changes, enhance your sustainability credentials, optimize your supply chain, gain transparency, and appeal to conscious consumers through detailed, customisable environmental footprinting. Complying with a shifting regulatory environment and meeting your sustainable goals has only gotten more accessible thanks to our AI software based on the most cutting-edge developments in environmental impact reporting. Connect with our team today to learn how Fairglow can support your DPP needs and help you achieve your sustainability goals.