This year’s playbook Unlocking DPP from TrusTrace delves into the bubbling realm of Digital Product Passports with the lens of Fashion and Textiles. What we learned while writing this playbook was that there are a lot of misconceptions around what the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is or is not. One thing is for sure, it will not be solved with simply putting a QR Code on the label that leads to a list of supplier names. Let’s get into the myth and see which ones are in fact, myths.
MYTH #1: DPP is simply a QR code
False. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is not a QR code on a label, nor is it just another app. The DPP is the framework suggested by the European Commission for managing Ecodesign of consumer goods, including fashion and footwear. Having this in place means providing a consumer or user with easy access to information about the environmental impact of the products throughout their lifecycle as per the Ecodesign of Sustainability Products Regulation (ESPR). DPP is the designated tool to structure this type of information and the delivery of this information to the steward of the garment or good can take many forms: QR code, RFID, etc.
Reference in the Playbook: Dive into the details starting on page 25 in the Unlocking DPP playbook
MYTH #2: The DPP hosts repair, recycling and resale data
True. The DPP is a key facet of the entire EU bloc’s environmental and economic plan for achieving economic growth with reduced environmental impacts. The textile sector in Europe has been in decline for some time, and the EU Textile Strategy aims to revive it. The vision is a circular economy for consumer goods, and to analyze the potential and progress, the industry needs to collect the data. By collecting granular data on how garments can be repaired, recycled or resold post-consumer sale, the industry can unlock greater economic value and higher employment for
the sector.
Reference in the Playbook: See details on page 24 in the Unlocking DPP playbook
MYTH #3: ‘fast fashion’ is the target
False. The DPP framework is applicable for a broad spectrum of consumer goods including fashion. It does not discriminate between the type of fashion or garment. Textile products are one of 12 end-use products in scope of the EU’s DPP. All clothing, homeware and footwear products containing textile materials as the majority fall under this. The European Commission places textile products as having the highest circularity value potential of those in scope for DPP, demonstrating the economic potential hoped to be unlocked.
Reference in the Playbook: See more on page 12 in the Unlocking DPP playbook
MYTH #4: DPP DATA IS completely new for brands to collect
False. Not all DPP data requirements are new. Some existing EU regulations such as REACH chemical compliance and EU Ecolabel already partially fulfil the DPP data requirements. They simply need to be integrated into the DPP data and system framework. Brands have already got some of the data they need to get going with DPP.
Reference in the Playbook: See more on page 36 in the Unlocking DPP playbook
MYTH #5: DPP is optional
False. Even though the DPP standards and requirements (via the Delegated Acts) are yet to be finalized, brands and retailers should act now to prepare for DPP. As explored in the playbook, the implementation of the DPP is relevant for all brands. Learn more starting from page 32 and you’ll see the findings of the most recent and comprehensive textile DPP pilot study, outlined in the ‘How’ section of this book.
Reference in the Playbook: Check page 32 in the Unlocking DPP playbook
How can TrusTrace help?
Traceability can be a pivotal part of gathering the granular data required for Ecodesign of Sustainable Products which could then be plugged into the framework of the Digital Product Passport. The same digital traceability data is useful for for due diligence analysis and screening for forced labor risks in your products.
Schedule a call with a TrusTrace digital traceability expert to learn how we are helping some of the largest brands meet their targets with traceability, and make progress on your journey today. Schedule a demo.
