What it is
ESPR is Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, in force since 18 July 2024. It is a framework regulation: it sets the general rules for making products more durable, repairable and recyclable, and leaves the detailed requirements to delegated acts adopted for each product group.
This page is an explanation, not legal advice. The regulation text is the authority.
Why it matters for the Digital Product Passport
The Digital Product Passport is created under ESPR. Each passport is tied to its physical product through a data carrier such as a QR code, and different readers get different access levels: the public, business partners, and authorities.
For you, that means product data that used to sit in supplier files and spreadsheets has to become structured, reliable and available for as long as the product is on the market.
Who is responsible
The economic operator: the manufacturer, or the importer for products made outside the EU. If you place products on the EU market, the passport is yours to provide, even when the data comes from your suppliers.
Timeline
Rows marked Law are fixed in EU legislation. Standard rows are published standards. Indicative rows are expected dates that can move. Checked on 31 October 2026.
| Date | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 2024 | Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781) enters into force. | Law |
| 16 Apr 2025 | First ESPR Working Plan 2025 to 2030 adopted: textiles, furniture, tyres, mattresses, iron and steel, aluminium, plus horizontal measures. | Law |
| 27 May 2026 | Six CEN-CENELEC DPP standards published: EN 18216, 18219, 18220, 18221, 18222 and 18223. | Standard |
| Jul 2026 | EU DPP Registry reported as operational. | Indicative |
| 18 Aug 2026 | Date set in the Batteries Regulation for the implementing act on who may access battery passport data (legitimate interest). Not adopted by this date. Commission timetable: Q4 2026. | Law |
| Q4 2026 | Delegated act for iron and steel expected. Implementing act on battery passport access rights expected. | Indicative |
| Q1 2027 | Delegated act on DPP service providers expected. | Indicative |
| 18 Feb 2027 | Battery passport mandatory for electric vehicle, light means of transport and industrial batteries above 2 kWh (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Article 77). QR code on all batteries from the same date (Article 13(6)). | Law |
| Q2 2027 | Implementing act on digital credentials. Delegated act on unique identifiers. Horizontal delegated act on repairability. | Indicative |
| 18 Aug 2027 | Battery supply chain due diligence obligations apply (postponed by Regulation (EU) 2025/1561). | Law |
| Q3 to Q4 2027 | Delegated acts expected for textiles, aluminium and tyres. | Indicative |
| 2028 | DPP expected to become mandatory for packaging, iron and steel, and construction materials. Delegated act for furniture expected. | Indicative |
| 2029 | DPP expected to become mandatory for ICT products, tyres, aluminium, textiles and detergents. Delegated act for mattresses and horizontal delegated act on recycled content expected. | Indicative |
| After 2030 | Second Working Plan: further product groups (for example paints and lubricants). | Indicative |
The first Working Plan names textiles, furniture, tyres, mattresses, iron and steel and aluminium, plus horizontal measures. The six CEN-CENELEC standards (EN 18216, 18219, 18220, 18221, 18222 and 18223) were published on 27 May 2026.
What to do now
- Find your product groupCheck whether your products fall under a group in the 2025 to 2030 Working Plan, and read the matching row in the calendar.
- Map your data sourcesList which data sits with you and which sits with suppliers: materials, components, origin, certificates.
- Name an ownerDecide who in your company is responsible for the passport data and who approves it.
- Start with one product lineA single line shows you where supplier data is missing before the rules reach your whole portfolio.
- Watch the delegated actsThe data requirements for your product group will be fixed there. Plan to adjust when they are published.
What AuditSci DPP helps with
- Collecting data and documents from suppliers through a secure link.
- AI drafts values from supplier documents and watches expiry dates. A person approves every value.
- Publishing the passport behind a QR code, with every approval recorded.
What it does not do
- It does not certify conformity. AuditSci is not a certification body or an authority.
- It does not replace your own legal review. Responsibility stays with the economic operator.
Frequently asked questions
What does ESPR stand for?
ESPR is the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. It entered into force on 18 July 2024.
Does ESPR already require a passport for my product?
Not by itself. ESPR is a framework regulation. The passport and its data requirements are set product group by product group in delegated acts. Check the calendar above for where your product group stands.
Who is responsible for the passport?
The economic operator placing the product on the EU market: the manufacturer, or the importer when the product is made outside the EU. Software can help collect and publish the data, but the responsibility stays with the operator.
Is a QR code enough?
No. The QR code is the access point. The passport also needs structured, reliable data, persistent identification and the right access permissions for each reader.
Does AuditSci DPP certify conformity with ESPR?
No. AuditSci DPP is a software platform, not a certification body or authority. It helps you collect, check and publish the data. Conformity stays with the economic operator.