Digital Product Passport for Textiles: From Preparation in 2026 to Compliance in 2027

If you work in the textile or fashion sector, you’ve probably heard discussions about the Digital Product Passport. Often mentioned alongside sustainability, traceability, and EU regulation, the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is set to become a central requirement for the industry. In 2026, the focus shifts from awareness to active preparation, as groundwork for DPP 2026 textiles must be laid to ensure compliance when it becomes mandatory.

Although most textile products won’t require a DPP until 2027, the systems, processes, and data foundations that support compliance must be established in advance. The choices companies make in 2026 will determine whether they transition smoothly or face costly last-minute challenges. This blog outlines what textile companies need to understand in 2026, from what the Digital Product Passport involves to the EU requirements and the practical steps needed to prepare.

What the Digital Product Passport Means for Textiles

The Digital Product Passport for textiles is a structured digital record accompanying a physical product, typically accessible via a QR code or other scannable identifier throughout the product’s lifecycle.

For textile items, the DPP in fashion is expected to include essential information such as:

Fibers and materials used
Production location
Environmental impact indicators
Instructions supporting repair, reuse, and circular practices

These requirements are part of the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), applicable to all textile products entering the EU market, regardless of origin.

Why 2026 Becomes a Pivotal Year

Even though the EU DPP textiles requirement will only be mandatory for most products in 2027, 2026 marks the release, testing, and finalization of the enabling framework. Missing these milestones can lead to delays, higher costs, and non-compliance once enforcement begins.

Key DPP-Related Milestones for 2026:

1) EU Central DPP Registry Goes Live (July 2026)

Acts as the backbone of the EU Digital Product Passport system
Holds product identifiers
Helps customs and surveillance authorities verify data
Connects product information across the supply chain

2) Delegated Acts for Textiles Expected (Late 2026–Early 2027)

Define data categories required for each product.
Specify technical formats and data models.
Provide guidance on updates during the product lifecycle.

3) Harmonized Technical Standards (Early 2026)

Clarify how DPP information must be structured.
Define interoperability expectations
Ensure systems from different vendors can communicate.

4) Ban on Destroying Unsold Goods (From July 19, 2026)

Large companies: July 2026
Medium-sized companies: 2030
Small/micro enterprises: exemptions apply
Reinforces circular practices, where DPP in fashion can support resale, repair, recycling, and take-back schemes

How Textile Companies Should Prepare for 2026

1)Build a Reliable Data Foundation

Material breakdown, origin, supplier, and production details
Environmental performance indicators
Repair, reuse, and end-of-life guidance

2)Strengthen Supply-Chain Traceability

Visibility from raw materials to finished product
Fiber and yarn production, assembly, logistics, and distribution

3)Align Technical Systems

Conduct Pilot Projects Before Obligations Begin
- Test data completeness, system readiness, and workflow adaptation
- Utilize EU-supported initiatives like CIRPASS-2.

Why Early Action is a Plus Point

Companies that start preparing in 2026 gain:

Stronger control over product and supply-chain data
Measurable sustainability transparency
Alignment with the Green Claims Directive
Faster readiness when DPP 2026 textiles become mandatory

Treating the Digital Product Passport for the textile industry as a strategic transformation allows companies to improve circularity, traceability, and product quality, while staying ahead of EU regulations.

2026: The Year of Preparation

The EU textile DPP timeline 2026 to 2027 signals a transformative shift. Textile companies that establish data systems, test technical solutions, and prepare teams in 2026 will not only meet future obligations but also benefit from enhanced transparency and a more circular industry.