Do Dutch Sellers Need a QR Code for the DPP?

In short: yes, the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is reached through a data carrier, and a QR code is the most common form that carrier takes. The DPP comes from the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781), which is directly applicable in the Netherlands. A central feature of the DPP is that shoppers and authorities can access the passport by scanning a marking on the product, its packaging or a label.

What the data carrier does

The QR code — or comparable data carrier — is simply the doorway to the passport. Scanning it opens the machine-readable record holding composition, sustainability, reparability and recycling information. For a Dutch seller, the QR code itself is the straightforward part; the substance is the quality of the data behind it.

What Dutch sellers should plan for

• Where the data carrier will physically appear on products or packaging.
• How the QR code and passport link will show in your online listings.
• Whether your supplier provides the carrier or you generate it yourself.
• That human-readable content behind it is available in Dutch.

Do not let the QR distract you

It is tempting to focus on the visible QR code, but the demanding work is upstream: gathering reliable data from your suppliers and, given the Netherlands’ role in distribution, clarifying who along the chain is responsible for producing the passport. Settle those questions and the QR code follows naturally. For broader Dutch obligations, see our Netherlands country hub, and check your timing with the DPP timeline tool.

This article is educational and does not constitute legal advice; consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.