Sustainability and Traceability in the Fashion and Textile Industry: Designing a detailed framework for the Adoption of Digital Product Passports aligned with European standards

As environmental awareness and restriction on pollution grow globally, the traditional linear production model of the Fashion and Textile sector is no longer sustainable. A transition towards a circular economy model is essential and, in line with the European regulations currently under development to promote sustainability and transparency, the Digital Product Passport (DPP) emerges as a key tool to facilitate this shift enhancing traceability along the entire supply chain. The following thesis will explore this new technology, examining the current European context of the Fashion industry and considering the existing or upcoming regulations on the topic. In particular, by leveraging a series of interview conducted with both DPP providers and end-users, the final goal of this thesis will be to design a framework for companies in the sector as a guide to implement a Digital Product Passport. The first chapter of the thesis present the research methods that have been used in the study, including the sample selection with brief introduction on the companies interviewed and the data collection techniques. The second chapter take under examination the current situation of the Fashion industry in Europe, focusing on the importance of a transition to a circular economy model. The Digital Product Passport is introduced as a key tool for traceability, along with its requirements and challenges in the fashion sector. The third chapter addresses the theoretical and technological foundations of the DPP, discussing its benefits, stakeholders, as well as the European regulations surrounding the DPP. The fourth chapter is dedicated to the framework, where steps and best practices for companies to adopt the DPP are outlined. The fifth chapter concludes the thesis with a brief discussion on the main findings, emphasizing the role of the DPP in promoting sustainability and traceability in the Fashion industry.