Getting started with digital product passports
by Sustainable Choice Group 08/05/2026
Uncategorized
by Sustainable Choice Group 08/05/2026
Uncategorized
This article was contributed by Sustainable Choice Group.
Digital product passports change how and where product information shows up.
Packaging has always carried the burden of communication. But it has limits. Space is fixed, updates are slow, and it cannot keep pace with rising expectations around transparency.
At the same time, customers are asking more questions. They are scanning, searching and comparing before they buy. If a product does not answer those questions quickly, they move on.
A digital product passport shifts this dynamic.
It acts as a digital extension of the product, delivering detailed, up-to-date information instantly through a scan or click.
This moves product communication from:
Instead of relying on packaging alone, brands can meet customers at the moment decisions are made, with clear, verifiable information.
A digital product passport (DPP) is a digital record linked to a physical product that stores detailed information across its lifecycle.
Think of it as a product’s digital identity.
It brings together information that would otherwise sit across reports, supplier systems and internal documents, and makes it accessible through a QR code, barcode or digital link attached to the product.
This can include:
The purpose is simple. To make product information consistent, verifiable and usable across customers, retailers and regulators.
Digital product passports are being driven by a clear problem.
Product data today is fragmented. It sits across multiple systems and is difficult to access, verify and use in real time.
Regulators are responding by introducing requirements for standardised, product-level data. The European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation is leading this shift, with DPPs set to apply across multiple product categories.
At the same time, scrutiny around sustainability claims is increasing. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found that 57% of businesses reviewed were making potentially misleading environmental claims, highlighting a widespread gap between what is said and what can be proven.
Digital product passports are emerging as the response to both regulatory pressure and rising expectations around transparency.
Most brands are already doing work to make their brands and products more sustainable. The issue right now is how that work shows up.
Sustainability data often lives in reports, spreadsheets or internal systems. It is not designed for customers or decision-making environments.Â
Without accessible evidence, even accurate claims can be questioned. This creates risk and erodes trust.
Most information is shared through marketing channels, not at the point where customers are actively comparing products.
Digital product passports address all three by connecting product-level data directly to the product itself.
While regulation is a key driver, the real opportunity is commercial. When product information becomes accessible and usable, it starts to work harder for the business.Â
Customers can quickly understand what sits behind a product, with claims supported by visible evidence.
Structured product data reduces the risk of misinterpretation across retail, search and AI environments.
Bringing data together often highlights gaps and opportunities across sourcing, production and impact.
This is where DPPs move beyond compliance. They become part of how your product competes.
Digital product passports change how and where product information shows up.
Packaging has always carried the burden of communication. But it has limits. Space is fixed, updates are slow, and it cannot keep pace with rising expectations around transparency.
At the same time, customer behaviour has shifted.
People are scanning products, comparing options and searching for answers before they buy. If a product does not provide that information quickly, they move on.
A digital product passport shifts this dynamic.
It acts as a digital extension of the product, delivering detailed, up-to-date information instantly through a scan or click.
This moves product communication from:
Instead of relying on packaging alone, brands can meet customers at the moment decisions are made, with clear, verifiable information.
Digital product passports are often viewed as a compliance cost, but that is only true if they are treated as a reporting exercise. When treated as structured product data, they create value across the business.
They improve how products are understood, strengthen trust at the point of purchase and increase visibility in search and AI-driven environments.
The shift is simple: Your brand moves from simply documenting your sustainability activities to using it and communicating it to potential consumers.
A useful way to think about DPPs is this:
Packaging is designed to sell.
Digital product passports are designed to explain.
When customers scan a product, they are not looking for marketing. They are looking for reassurance.
They want to validate their decision with real information. And if they cannot get it from you, they will look elsewhere, often on social media or third-party platforms where you have less control over the narrative.
Digital product passports bring that moment back under your control.
They allow you to answer questions clearly, directly and in real time, before the purchase decision is made.
Getting started with digital product passports is less about technology and more about clarity.
Most brands already hold the information they need. It just sits across different teams and formats.
The first step is bringing that information together and making it usable at a product level.
Focus on:
Many brands begin with a small number of products, refine the approach and scale from there.
Sustainability Tracker sits at the point where strategy becomes execution.
The challenge for most brands is not understanding digital product passports. It is turning existing information into something structured, accessible and usable in the real world.
Sustainability Tracker Digital Labels solve this by creating a live, product-level digital record that connects directly to your product.
Through a single QR code or digital link, customers can access detailed information instantly. This includes materials, certifications, sustainability claims and supporting evidence, all in one place.
Behind the scenes, it provides:
It is built to align with global standards such as GS1 Digital Link and evolving digital product passport requirements, without requiring complex builds or new systems.
This allows brands to start with what they have and build toward full DPP readiness over time. You do not need perfect data. You do not need full traceability from day one. You can begin with what you have and build over time, with a structure that evolves as your business does.
Getting started with digital product passports doesn’t require a full system overhaul.
Sustainability Tracker Digital Labels are designed to work with what you already have, so the process is more about organising and activating your data than rebuilding it.
Bring together key inputs such as materials, certifications, supplier details and product claims.
Your Digital Label sits on top of a structured product profile.
Organise your information into a consistent format that works across customers, retailers and search.
Each product is connected to a QR code or barcode that acts as the access point.
Sustainability Tracker supports you by connecting each product to a digital label that provides instant access to detailed information.
Attach certifications and supporting documents to strengthen credibility and reduce risk.
Sustainability Tracker allows you to control what is shared with customers, and what is kept for internal use, suppliers or regulators. This means you can be transparent without exposing sensitive data.
One of the biggest advantages of Digital Labels is flexibility.
As your product evolves, whether that is a new certification, updated material or improved process, you can update your information instantly without reprinting packaging or creating delays.
You do not need to roll this out across every product on day one.
Begin with a key product or range, then expand as your data and processes mature.
Digital Labels are designed to scale with your business, supporting everything from a single product through to large product ranges.
By taking these steps, you move from scattered information to a connected product experience.
Your product data becomes easier to manage, easier to understand and ready for evolving expectations around transparency and compliance.
Most importantly, it ensures your product shows up clearly, with the right information, at the moment someone is deciding what to buy.
Want to find out more about Sustainability Tracker Digital Labels?
A digital product passport is a structured digital record that stores and shares product-level information such as materials, origin, environmental impact and certifications.
They are not yet mandatory, but global regulations, particularly in the EU, are driving adoption that will impact Australian exporters and suppliers.
Typical data includes materials, manufacturing details, certifications, environmental impact and product care, disposal information and more.
They improve transparency, support compliance, increase customer trust and help products perform better in search and comparison environments.