EU Digital Product Passport for Textiles: What Indian Apparel Exporters Need to Know
Understand the EU Digital Product Passport requirements for textiles. Learn timelines, data requirements, and how Indian exporters can prepare for compliance by 2027.
The European Union is changing how textile products enter its market. If you export apparel to Europe, the EU Digital Product Passport is coming for you.
This is not a distant regulation. The framework is already in force. Specific rules for textiles are being finalized. By 2027, your products may need a QR code that links to detailed information about materials, manufacturing, and environmental impact.
I have been tracking this regulation since the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) was published. Here is what Indian apparel exporters need to understand and how to prepare.
What is the EU Digital Product Passport?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a digital record of a product’s lifecycle. For textiles, it will be accessed through a QR code on the garment that links to an online database.
When a consumer, retailer, or customs officer scans this QR code, they will see:
- What materials the garment is made from
- Where and how it was manufactured
- Its environmental footprint
- Whether it can be recycled and how
- Information about the supply chain
Think of it as a complete biography of your product, accessible to anyone with a smartphone.
Why is the EU Doing This?
The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries globally. The EU has identified it as a priority sector for sustainability improvements.
The goals behind the DPP are:
- Transparency: Consumers can make informed purchasing decisions
- Circularity: Making it easier to repair, reuse, and recycle products
- Accountability: Brands cannot make vague sustainability claims without data to back them up
- Enforcement: Customs and market surveillance can verify compliance
This aligns with the EU’s broader Circular Economy Action Plan. Textiles are one of the first product categories targeted under the ESPR.
The Timeline: What Happens When
The regulatory timeline is already in motion. Here are the key dates:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| July 2024 | ESPR regulation entered into force |
| April 2025 | First ESPR Working Plan published, textiles confirmed as priority |
| Q2 2026 | Ban on destruction of unsold textiles for large enterprises |
| Late 2026/Early 2027 | Delegated act for textiles expected to be adopted |
| July 2027 | Mandatory DPP requirements expected to take effect |
| 2028 | Full enforcement after 18-month transition period |
The delegated act is the key document. It will specify exactly what data fields are mandatory, what formats to use, and how compliance will be verified.
What Data Will the Textile DPP Require?
While the final data requirements will be specified in the delegated act, the framework is clear about the types of information required. Based on the ESPR text and official communications, here is what to expect:
Product Identification
- Unique identifier (linked to GTIN or serial number)
- Batch or lot number
- Manufacturer and importer details
- Brand and model information
Material Composition
- Fiber composition with percentages
- Percentage of recycled content
- Origin of materials (cotton from India, polyester from China, etc.)
- Presence of any plastic microfibers
Environmental Impact
- Carbon footprint of production
- Water consumption during manufacturing
- Chemical substances used in production
- Compliance with REACH regulations (restricted chemicals)
Circularity Information
- Durability rating
- Repair and maintenance instructions
- Recyclability assessment
- End-of-life guidance (how to dispose or recycle)
Supply Chain Traceability
- Production locations (with specific facility details)
- Key processes (spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing)
- Certification information (GOTS, OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade, etc.)
Social Responsibility
- Labor practices information
- Fair wage compliance
- Working conditions documentation
This is extensive. For many Indian manufacturers and exporters, collecting this data across the supply chain will be a significant undertaking.
The Technical Implementation: QR Codes and GS1 Digital Link
The DPP will be accessed through a data carrier physically attached to the product. For textiles, this will typically be a QR code.
The EU has indicated that QR codes using the GS1 Digital Link standard are the expected format. This means:
- Your QR code will embed your product’s GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)
- Scanning the code will direct to a web address containing the passport data
- The data must remain accessible for at least 10 years after the product is placed on the market
If you already use GS1 barcodes, you are familiar with the GTIN system. The DPP extends this by turning the static barcode into a dynamic gateway to live product information. Not sure about barcode compliance basics? Read our guide on barcode compliance for Indian apparel exporters.
The QR code can be placed on:
- The garment’s care label
- Hangtags
- Product packaging
- Accompanying documentation
The requirement is that it must be durable enough to survive the product’s typical use lifecycle.
What This Means for Indian Apparel Exporters
The EU is one of the largest markets for Indian textile exports. This regulation applies to all textile products sold in the EU, regardless of where they are manufactured.
If you manufacture in Tirupur, Surat, Delhi, or anywhere in India and sell to European buyers, you will need to comply.
The Challenges
Supply chain complexity: Indian textile supply chains often involve multiple tiers of suppliers for fiber, yarn, fabric, dyeing, and finished goods. Collecting data from each stage is difficult.
Digital infrastructure gaps: Many smaller suppliers do not have digital systems to capture and share data. Manual records will not scale.
Data standardization: Different buyers may have different data requirements. Without standardized formats, you may end up maintaining multiple parallel systems.
Cost implications: Implementing traceability systems, QR code printing, and data management will require investment.
The Opportunities
Competitive advantage: Exporters who are DPP-ready will be preferred by EU buyers. Early movers can capture market share from competitors who are slow to adapt.
Improved operations: The data you collect for DPP compliance will also improve your own inventory management, quality control, and supplier oversight.
Premium positioning: Products with verified sustainability credentials can command higher prices. European consumers are willing to pay more for transparency.
Reduced risk: Compliance means you avoid shipment rejections, chargebacks, and being locked out of the EU market entirely.
How to Prepare: A Practical Roadmap
You have roughly 18 months before mandatory enforcement begins. Here is how to use that time:
Phase 1: Immediate Assessment (Q1 - Q2 2026)
Map your supply chain
Document every supplier and production stage from raw material to finished garment. For each stage, identify:
- What data is currently captured
- What systems are used (digital or manual)
- What gaps exist
Audit existing data
Evaluate the quality and completeness of your current product data. How much of the required DPP information do you already have? Where are the gaps?
Identify technology needs
Assess what systems you will need:
- Product Information Management (PIM) software
- Traceability and supply chain management tools
- QR code generation and management
- Data integration with supplier systems
Phase 2: Infrastructure Building (Q2 - Q4 2026)
Upgrade data management
Implement systems to collect, store, and manage product data. This includes:
- Master data management for products
- Supplier portals for data collection
- Integration with existing ERP/billing systems
Engage suppliers
Work with your supply chain partners to establish data sharing protocols. This may require:
- Training suppliers on data requirements
- Providing digital tools to smaller suppliers
- Establishing quality controls for data accuracy
Pilot implementation
Select a subset of products and suppliers. Run a pilot to:
- Test data collection workflows
- Generate sample QR codes
- Validate data accuracy and completeness
- Identify bottlenecks
Phase 3: Full Implementation (Q1 2027)
Scale to full product range
Roll out DPP compliance across all products destined for the EU market.
Integrate with production
QR code generation should become part of your standard production process, linked to batch information.
Establish monitoring
Create processes to ensure data quality remains high over time. The passport is only as good as the data behind it.
What Certifications Help with DPP Compliance?
Existing sustainability certifications can provide verified data for your DPP. Consider:
| Certification | Data It Provides |
|---|---|
| GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) | Organic fiber content, processing standards |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | Absence of harmful substances |
| GRS (Global Recycled Standard) | Recycled content verification |
| Fair Trade | Social responsibility, fair wages |
| Bluesign | Chemical management, environmental performance |
These certifications provide third-party verification for claims you make in your Digital Product Passport. Without certification, you will need other ways to substantiate your data.
The Ban on Destroying Unsold Products
One related ESPR requirement deserves mention. From April 2026 (just months away), large enterprises will be banned from destroying unsold consumer products, including textiles and apparel.
For medium-sized enterprises, this kicks in by 2030.
This means your EU buyers will face pressure to:
- Order more accurately (less overstock)
- Find alternative channels for unsold inventory (donations, recycling)
- Work with suppliers who support demand forecasting
If you can help your buyers predict demand better through data sharing, you become a more valuable partner.
How Zubizi Can Help
At Zubizi, we have been building software for Indian garment manufacturers for years. We understand the complexity of managing product information across styles, sizes, colors, and variants.
Our apparel manufacturing software already helps you manage:
- Product master data across your entire catalog
- Barcode and QR code generation for every variant
- Inventory tracking from raw materials to finished goods
- Integration across production and billing
As DPP requirements become clearer, we are building capabilities to help you:
- Collect and organize DPP-required data fields
- Generate compliant QR codes linked to product passports
- Manage supply chain data from multiple sources
Need help preparing for new regulations? Talk to our team about your specific requirements.
Key Takeaways
The EU Digital Product Passport for textiles is not a maybe. It is coming. Here is what you need to remember:
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The timeline is fixed: ESPR is already in force. Textile-specific rules expected 2027, enforcement from 2028.
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Data requirements are extensive: Material composition, environmental impact, supply chain traceability, circularity, and social responsibility data will all be required.
-
QR codes are the delivery mechanism: Products will need scannable codes linking to online passports using GS1 Digital Link standards.
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Supply chain transparency is non-negotiable: You need data from every tier of your supply chain, not just your direct suppliers.
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Early movers win: Exporters who prepare now will be preferred partners for EU buyers. Those who wait will scramble.
The investment you make in DPP readiness is not just about compliance. It is about building the infrastructure for a more transparent, traceable, and competitive business.
Start now. Your European market access depends on it.
