When Will the DPP Apply to German Sellers?

There is no single switch-on date for the Digital Product Passport (DPP) in Germany. Because the DPP flows from the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781), which entered into force on 18 July 2024, it applies to German sellers on the same directly applicable basis as everywhere else in the EU. But the actual obligations arrive gradually, product group by product group, through delegated acts.

A phased, indicative timeline

The rollout begins with the earliest-prioritised categories. On current indicative timing, batteries come first, with a battery passport expected from around 18 February 2027. Textiles and iron and steel are among the early-priority groups expected from roughly 2027 onwards. These dates are indicative and depend on the relevant delegated acts being finalised, so treat them as a planning guide rather than a fixed deadline.

The practical consequence for a German seller is that your personal DPP start date is really your product group’s start date. If you sell batteries or battery-containing goods, you are near the front. If your catalogue is in a later group, you have more runway — but the preparation work is the same.

What determines your timing

• Which product groups you sell, and whether they are early-priority.
• When the delegated act for your category is adopted and takes effect.
• Whether you are a manufacturer, importer or reseller in the chain.

What to do while you wait

Do not treat an uncertain date as a reason to delay. The most time-consuming task — gathering structured composition, sustainability and reparability data from your suppliers — can begin today regardless of when your category’s act lands. German-language consumer content and QR-code placement can also be planned in advance. You can map your catalogue against the schedule with our DPP timeline tool, and read the fuller picture in the complete DPP guide.

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