Exporters and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) supplying batteries, textiles, and small electronics to Europe are being urged to prepare early for stricter sustainability and traceability requirements that will determine continued market access.
Francis Norman Lopez, president and chief executive officer of InterCommerce Network Services, Inc., said the European Union’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) will now begin its mandatory rollout for these product categories in 2027, instead of the earlier 2026 schedule.
“For 2028, there will be expansion to construction, furniture products and packaging materials. And then by 2030, we will see deep integration across all industries including automotive, machinery, medical devices, and others,” Lopez said during the 2nd Quarter General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.
Lopez described the DPP as a standardized digital identity for products that enables sustainability tracking, traceability, and transparency across the entire product lifecycle.
He said the system will include product-group specific data defined through delegated acts, covering materials and composition, carbon footprint and environmental impact, recyclability and end-of-life options, repairability, and product longevity. It will also require data retention and backup for up to 10 years.
The requirement will apply to nearly all physical goods sold in the EU, except food, pet food, and medical products, which fall under separate but similar regulations.
“Data must be accurate, up-to-date, and accessible to authorities, businesses, and consumers. Each product must carry a unique identifier such as a QR code or NFC tag,” Lopez said.
He explained that the DPP framework is built on two core components—the registry and the web portal—which together ensure standardized, trusted, and widely accessible product data that supports regulatory enforcement and market adoption.
Under the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and related delegated acts, manufacturers and exporters will be required to create and maintain DPPs, ensure data accuracy and completeness, and update information throughout the product lifecycle.
Importers and distributors, meanwhile, must verify the existence of a DPP before placing products on the EU market. Regulatory authorities will have the power to inspect and audit data and may deny market access for non-compliance.
“EU authorities will only accept DPPs accessible via officially recognized registry systems,” he added.
Lopez said early compliance offers significant advantages for exporters, including lower costs through shared infrastructure, improved regulatory readiness, and better alignment with evolving sustainability rules.
“This provides a future-ready platform that adapts to EU requirements and gives exporters greater regulatory confidence that their DPPs will be accepted,” he said.
However, he warned that non-compliance could result in market exclusion, reputational damage, and lost trade revenues for exporters and manufacturers.
Lopez said InterCommerce Network Services, Tradelink, and the Pan Asian E-Commerce Alliance (PAA) will serve as key support partners, acting as a bridge for exporters transitioning toward EU Digital Product Passport compliance.