When we travel abroad, our passport doesn’t just identify us—it proves where we’ve been and where we’re allowed to go. Products are now beginning to carry that same kind of identity.
As part of the European Union’s Green Deal, certain products now require a Digital Product Passport (DPP). A DPP verifies authenticity and records details such as origin, ownership, safety instructions, repair options, and even end-of-life disposal guidance.
The EU is rolling out DPPs to strengthen supply chains, fight counterfeit goods, reduce waste through recycling and re-use, and promote sustainability. By sharing trusted product data across borders, the DPP makes global trade more transparent and efficient, knitting international partners closer together.
DPPs can be embedded in NFC chips, RFID tags, or QR Codes—with QR Codes printed on labels or even directly on textiles. At any point in the supply chain, a quick scan links users to the product’s DPP via a web interface. They can confirm authenticity, check the product’s lifecycle, access instructions, find repair resources, and even see recycling or resale options.
In the U.S., there is currently no regulation requiring DPPs, but momentum is building. The Federation of American Scientists recently released a nine-step plan outlining how federal agencies could establish a framework to curb counterfeit goods, cut waste, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
For American manufacturers selling into the EU, DPPs are already mandatory for industries including:
- Aluminum
- Batteries
- Chemicals
- Detergents
- Electronics
- Furniture (including mattresses)
- Iron and steel
- Lubricants
- Paints
- Textiles (garments and footwear)
- Tires
At T.L. Ashford & Associates, we make compliance seamless. Our Barcode400 software enables you to design and print QR Code labels directly from IBM i and integrate RFID-enabled tags into your products and shipments. When you’re ready to give your products an international passport, we can help you take the first step.
