Before you can publish a compliant Digital Product Passport, you need the underlying data. Here are the fields the regulation requires — and where that data typically lives.
Material composition
- Fibre content by percentage (e.g.,
82% cotton, 15% polyester, 3% elastane) - Country of origin for the fabric
- Whether any materials are recycled, organic, or certified (GOTS, Oeko-Tex, etc.)
Where it lives: Usually in your PLM system, or in supplier datasheets. Brands with complex supply chains often find discrepancies between what their PLM says and what their supplier actually shipped.
Manufacturing traceability
- Tier 1 supplier name and facility ID
- Tier 2 supplier (fabric mill) name and location
- Country of manufacture for each production stage
- Any subcontracted processes (dyeing, finishing, embroidery)
Where it lives: Supplier onboarding forms, purchase orders, compliance databases. Tier 2 data is the most commonly missing field.
Care and maintenance
- Full care instructions (wash, dry, iron, bleach, dry-clean)
- Repair guidance or link to repair services
- Estimated product lifespan
Where it lives: Product development files. Care symbols need to be translated into structured text for machine-readability.
End-of-life and circularity
- Disassembly instructions
- Recyclability rating or guidance
- Take-back or repair programme details (if applicable)
- Presence of hazardous substances or restricted materials
Where it lives: This data is often not captured yet. It's the most common gap brands discover.
Digital carrier
- Unique product identifier (per SKU, not per garment — unless serialised)
- QR code or RFID tag specification
- URL to the live DPP record
Where it lives: Needs to be generated by your DPP platform and printed into your product labels.
The gap analysis
Run through each category above. Mark each field as: Have it, Partial, or Missing.
Most brands find their Tier 2 traceability and end-of-life fields are the largest gaps. Plan for 4–8 weeks of supplier outreach to close those.