As the European Union accelerates the implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), textile and garment manufacturers are being urged to view compliance not merely as a regulatory obligation but as a strategic business opportunity.
According to industry expert Farhan Majumder, Founder and CEO of TraceLoom, the next 18 to 24 months will be critical for suppliers serving European brands. While the EU’s ban on the destruction of unsold apparel, accessories and footwear by large companies comes into effect on 19 July 2026, the broader DPP framework is expected to reshape sourcing decisions across the global textile and apparel supply chain.
The textile-specific delegated act under the ESPR is anticipated in 2027, with mandatory Digital Product Passport compliance expected approximately 18 months later. As brands prepare for these requirements, manufacturers are increasingly being asked to provide detailed production data, including fiber composition, verified blend percentages, production waste records, and batch-level energy consumption.
Farhan Majumder noted that these requests go beyond routine compliance checks. “Every Digital Product Passport questionnaire is an audition. Brands are evaluating which suppliers can provide reliable, structured, and verifiable production data. Those who demonstrate transparency today are positioning themselves for stronger and longer-term business relationships.”
Industry observers suggest that manufacturers generally fall into three categories when responding to buyer requests. Some struggle because production information remains fragmented across manual records and disconnected systems. Others can provide the requested information through time-consuming manual compilation. A smaller group has implemented integrated digital systems that generate structured compliance data within days, significantly improving responsiveness and buyer confidence.
As global brands seek to reduce regulatory risks, suppliers capable of delivering accurate, verified sustainability data are expected to gain a competitive advantage through preferred-supplier status, larger sourcing allocations, and longer-term commercial partnerships.
Majumder emphasized that Digital Product Passport readiness should be viewed as a value-added capability rather than an administrative burden. “Manufacturers are no longer selling only fabrics or garments. They are increasingly expected to deliver the verified sustainability and traceability data that brands themselves are legally required to maintain.”
However, achieving this level of transparency through manual processes is becoming increasingly impractical. Production information required for DPP reporting already exists across enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, utility meters, production records, logistics documentation, and quality management systems. The challenge lies in consolidating these fragmented datasets into standardized formats that buyers can readily utilize.
To address this challenge, TraceLoom has developed a supply chain data platform designed specifically for textile and garment manufacturers. The platform integrates with existing factory systems to automatically organize production data, including fiber information, blend ratios, waste records, and energy consumption—without requiring additional data entry or changes to factory floor operations. For manufacturing groups operating multiple facilities, the platform also provides a unified data management framework across plants. The company believes that the current period offers manufacturers a unique opportunity to strengthen their market position before Digital Product Passport compliance becomes mandatory across the industry.
TraceLoom is currently partnering with selected textile and garment manufacturers across South Asia to support early implementation and help factories build compliance readiness ahead of regulatory enforcement.
