Over the past year, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) have moved from policy discussion to regulatory reality. With the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) establishing the legal framework, 2026 marks the beginning of practical implementation.
While detailed obligations will be introduced product group by product group, the direction of travel is clear: structured, interoperable product data will become a condition of market access.
This article is written by Lisa Stafford, CEO & Co-Founder, TAZAAR, who explores what these developments mean in practice and why businesses should begin preparing now.
What Leading AV Manufacturers Are Doing Now
Across the professional AV sector, manufacturers taking DPP seriously are focusing on five areas.
1. Mapping Product Data Gaps
A Digital Product Passport is a structured dataset linked to a physical product via a data carrier such as a QR code. It is designed to provide reliable lifecycle, sustainability and compliance information across the value chain.
Forward-looking AV brands are:
- Auditing bill of materials (BOM) structures
- Identifying substances of concern
- Reviewing repairability and disassembly documentation
- Assessing carbon footprint methodologies
In most cases, the challenge is not lack of data, it is fragmentation. Product information exists across ERP systems, compliance files, supplier spreadsheets and service records, but not in a harmonised, machine-readable format.
DPP readiness is therefore less about generating new data and more about structuring and standardising what already exists.
- Piloting Digital Product “Twins”
A DPP effectively creates a digital twin of a physical product. Several AV manufacturers are piloting:
- QR codes linked to globally recognised identifiers
- Secure cloud-based product logbooks
- Lifecycle tracking from manufacture through service, resale and end-of-life
For high-value amplifiers, processors, lighting systems and loudspeakers, this offers more than compliance. Transparent service histories can enhance resale value, support preventative maintenance, and enable circular business models.
The most advanced players are treating DPP infrastructure as long-term product intelligence, not a regulatory box to tick.
- Engaging with Emerging Standards
The European Commission has mandated standardisation bodies to deliver harmonised DPP standards by the end of 2025. These standards will define how identifiers, data carriers, access rights and interoperability function in practice.
Key areas under development include:
- Data carriers (QR codes, RFID)
- Unique product identifiers
- Access rights management
- Interoperable data exchange protocols
- Long-term data storage and persistence
- Security and authentication requirements
Manufacturers that delay engagement may find themselves retrofitting systems once standards are finalised. Early movers are better positioned to shape implementation and avoid costly redesign.
4. Reviewing Supply Chain Transparency
DPPs are designed to increase traceability across entire value chains.
For AV manufacturers with global component sourcing, preparation now includes:
- Updating supplier contracts to include structured sustainability data sharing
- Introducing environmental disclosure requirements during onboarding
- Testing digital portals for component-level data capture
This is often the most complex part of DPP readiness. Increased transparency can expose documentation gaps that were previously manageable but will not withstand regulatory scrutiny.
5. Treating DPP as Commercial Infrastructure
The ESPR embeds DPP directly into product compliance architecture. It is not simply a sustainability label.
Some AV manufacturers are reframing DPP as:
- A digital service history record
- A warranty and repair facilitation tool
- A resale value enhancer
- A foundation for circular revenue models
This shift in mindset separates reactive compliance from strategic advantage.
What to Expect in 2026
A Phased Rollout
The EU is implementing DPP through a phased approach under its 2025–2030 Work Plan. Requirements will be introduced sector by sector through delegated acts.
Key milestones include:
End of 2025 / Early 2026 – Harmonised Standards
European standardisation bodies are expected to finalise technical specifications for identifiers, data carriers and interoperability.
July 2026 – Central Registry Infrastructure
The European Commission is expected to launch the core digital registry framework, providing secure access for regulators and customs authorities.
2026–2027 – Priority Product Groups
Initial product groups expected to move first include industrial batteries, iron and steel, and textiles. Each sector will receive a delegated act specifying detailed DPP requirements and transition periods.
For AV manufacturers, this means electronics and professional equipment are likely to follow in subsequent waves. The exact timeline will depend on product classification and Commission prioritisation.
Waiting until your sector is formally listed may leave insufficient time to adapt systems.
The Strategic Choice
Two approaches are emerging.
Minimum Compliance Mindset
Wait for delegated acts. Implement narrowly. Treat DPP as overhead.
Infrastructure Mindset
Build structured product data systems now. Use DPP as a foundation for lifecycle transparency and circular value creation.
The first approach defers cost but increases regulatory risk.
The second requires investment but builds resilience.
For AV manufacturers supplying Europe, the real question is no longer whether Digital Product Passports are coming, but whether your product data systems will be ready when they do.
