Exploring the Feasibility and Limitations of Digital Product Passports in the Textile Industry: A Critical Assessment of Current Models

The European Commission defines the Digital Product Passport (DPP) as a structured collection of product-related data with a predetermined scope. It includes agreed-upon data ownership and access rights, facilitated by a unique identifier. This information is electronically accessible through a data carrier (Colledani and Abdalla, 2023). The DPP plays a crucial role in digitizing the industry along the value chain and has a broad impact on all life cycle stages. Its influence extends to shaping new legislative regulations, creating business opportunities, and refining strategies that contribute to a more effective circular economy. This involves determining how products are utilized, recycled, repurposed, and repaired. The data collected serves a dual purpose: aiding customers in making informed decisions and helping companies identify opportunities within their supply chain to align strategies with environmental needs. Currently, the textile sector is actively crafting a proposal for the DPP that aligns with the European Commission's requirements. This initiative aims to identify the most suitable proposal, which will subsequently pave the way for defining the next steps for the broader industry. Notably, the textile sector, recognized as one of the most environmentally impactful industries, is slated to implement DPP regulations by 2027. However, it's noteworthy that France has opted for an accelerated implementation, planning to enforce these regulations by 2024. This decision reflects a commitment to expedite the adoption of DPP regulations across the entire industry. This master thesis contributes to the ongoing discourse supporting the success of the DPP. The reader will gain insights into the DPP as both a system and a product. Additionally, the thesis delves into the definition of current data requirements for textiles, examines undefined elements, provides an overview of existing proposals and their distinctions, and proposes characteristics necessary for cohesive value propositions.