Why Shopify Stores Need Digital Product Passports
If you're a Shopify merchant selling physical products to customers in the European Union, Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are not optional—they're becoming a legal requirement under the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
Key Deadline Alert
2027: First mandatory DPP deadlines for batteries, electronics, and textiles. If you sell any of these product categories to EU customers, compliance preparation should begin now.
The Shopify Advantage
Shopify merchants have a significant advantage when it comes to DPP compliance. Unlike complex ERP systems or custom e-commerce platforms, Shopify's app ecosystem makes it easy to add compliance capabilities without technical development work.
Native App Integration
Apps like Tracehub integrate directly with your product catalog, orders, and customer data—no API development required.
Centralized Product Data
Your Shopify store already contains much of the data needed for DPPs: product descriptions, materials, images, and variants.
Automated Workflows
Shopify Flow and app automations can trigger DPP generation when new products are added or orders are placed.
Cost-Effective Compliance
App-based solutions cost a fraction of custom development, making DPP compliance accessible to small and medium businesses.
DPP Requirements for Shopify Merchants
As a Shopify merchant, your DPP requirements depend on what you sell and where your customers are located. Here's what you need to know:
Who Must Comply?
- •Sellers to EU customers: Any Shopify store that sells and ships products to customers in the European Union
- •Product manufacturers: Brands that manufacture their own products or have products made for them
- •Importers: Businesses that import products from outside the EU for sale within the EU market
- •Dropshippers: Dropshipping stores may need to coordinate with suppliers on DPP compliance
Data Requirements
Each Digital Product Passport must contain specific information about your products. Much of this data may already exist in your Shopify store:
| Data Field | Shopify Source | Additional Data Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Product identifier | SKU, Barcode | Usually complete |
| Product name & description | Product title, description | Usually complete |
| Material composition | Product tags, metafields | May need detailed breakdown |
| Country of origin | Product metafields | Often needs to be added |
| Carbon footprint | Not available | Calculation required |
| Recyclability | Not available | Assessment required |
| Care instructions | Product description | May need formatting |
Tracehub helps fill in the gaps by using AI to estimate sustainability data based on your product information, while allowing you to refine and verify the data.
DPP Implementation Options for Shopify
Shopify merchants have several options for implementing Digital Product Passports. Here's a comparison of the main approaches:
Shopify App (Tracehub)
Pros:
- • Native Shopify integration
- • AI-powered data suggestions
- • No technical expertise needed
- • Automatic product sync
- • Affordable monthly pricing
Best for:
- • Small to enterprise Shopify stores
- • Merchants without technical teams
- • Quick compliance implementation
- • Cost-conscious businesses
Cost: Free to start, from €39/month for full features
Custom Development
Pros:
- • Full customization control
- • Unique branding options
- • Complex workflow integration
Cons:
- • High development costs (€50,000+)
- • Ongoing maintenance required
- • Longer implementation time
Cost: €50,000-200,000+ development, plus ongoing maintenance
Manual Process
Pros:
- • No software costs
- • Direct control over data
Cons:
- • Time-intensive (hours per product)
- • Error-prone
- • Doesn't scale
- • No automation
Cost: Staff time—estimated 2-4 hours per product
Setting Up Tracehub on Shopify
Tracehub is the easiest way to implement Digital Product Passports on Shopify. Here's how to get started:
Before You Start
- • Ensure your Shopify store has products added with basic information
- • Have your product materials and origin information ready (optional but helpful)
- • Allow 30 minutes for initial setup and your first DPP
Installation Steps
- Visit the Shopify App Store: Go to apps.shopify.com/tracehub or search for "Tracehub" in your Shopify admin under Apps.
- Click "Add app": Review the permissions Tracehub needs (product access, order access for compliance tracking) and approve the installation.
- Complete onboarding: Follow the quick onboarding wizard to configure your preferences and connect your store.
- Sync your products: Tracehub automatically imports your product catalog. This typically takes 1-5 minutes depending on catalog size.
Step-by-Step: Creating Your First DPP
Once Tracehub is installed, follow these steps to create your first Digital Product Passport:
Select a Product
In the Tracehub dashboard, navigate to Products and select a product from your catalog. Tracehub shows which products have DPPs and which need them.
Review Auto-Filled Data
Tracehub automatically pulls product information from Shopify and uses AI to suggest sustainability data. Review the auto-filled fields:
- • Product identification (from Shopify SKU/barcode)
- • Basic materials (inferred from product description)
- • Suggested carbon footprint (based on product category)
- • Recyclability assessment (based on materials)
Add or Refine Data
Edit any auto-filled fields and add additional information:
- • Verify material percentages
- • Add country of manufacture
- • Upload certifications (optional)
- • Add care and repair instructions
Generate the DPP
Click "Generate DPP" to create the Digital Product Passport. Tracehub creates:
- • A unique, compliant DPP record
- • A consumer-facing passport page
- • A unique QR code linking to the passport
- • Structured data for regulatory systems
Preview and Publish
Preview how your DPP looks to consumers, then publish it. The passport is now live and accessible via QR code.
Generating and Using QR Codes
Every Digital Product Passport includes a unique QR code that links the physical product to its digital record. Here's how to use them effectively:
Downloading QR Codes
Tracehub automatically generates QR codes for each product. You can download them in multiple formats:
- PNG: Best for digital use and small print applications
- SVG: Vector format for high-quality print at any size
- PDF: Print-ready sheets for label production
- Batch export: Download all QR codes as a zip file for large catalogs
Where to Place QR Codes
Product Packaging
Include QR codes on product boxes, bags, or outer packaging. This is the most common placement and allows pre-purchase scanning.
Product Labels/Tags
Attach QR codes directly to products via hang tags, sewn-in labels (textiles), or adhesive labels. Ensures the DPP stays with the product.
Packing Slips
Print QR codes on packing slips included in shipments. Good for transitioning customers to digital passports.
Product Pages
Display QR codes on your Shopify product pages using Tracehub's embedded widget. Customers can access the DPP before purchasing.
Automating DPP Generation
For stores with large or frequently changing catalogs, automation is essential. Tracehub offers several automation features:
Auto-Sync New Products
When you add new products to Shopify, Tracehub automatically imports them and prepares draft DPPs with AI-suggested data.
Bulk Generation
Generate DPPs for multiple products at once. Select products, review AI suggestions, and generate in batch—saving hours of manual work.
Template-Based Creation
Create templates for product categories (e.g., all cotton t-shirts share similar sustainability data). Apply templates to new products instantly.
Shopify Flow Integration
Use Shopify Flow to trigger DPP actions: auto-generate when products are published, notify when data is incomplete, and more.
Best Practices for Shopify DPP Implementation
Start with Your Best Sellers
Begin DPP implementation with your top-selling products. This gives you the most impact while learning the process.
Prioritize EU-Bound Products
Focus on products that ship to EU customers first. Use Shopify's market segmentation to identify these products.
Verify AI Suggestions
While AI-generated data is a helpful starting point, always verify sustainability claims before publishing. Inaccurate data can lead to compliance issues.
Use Metafields for Data
Store sustainability data in Shopify metafields. This allows Tracehub to pull accurate data automatically and keeps your product information centralized.
Communicate with Customers
Add information about your Digital Product Passports to product pages. Customers appreciate transparency and it can be a competitive advantage.
Keep Data Updated
DPPs should be living documents. Update them when suppliers change, materials are modified, or new certifications are obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Digital Product Passport for every product variant?
It depends on how different the variants are. Color variants of the same product can typically share a DPP. However, variants with different materials (e.g., cotton vs polyester versions) may need separate passports. Tracehub handles variant management automatically.
What if I don't have sustainability data for my products?
Tracehub's AI can estimate sustainability data based on your product information and industry averages. This gives you a starting point while you work with suppliers to collect accurate data. You can progressively improve data quality over time.
Can I use Tracehub if I dropship products?
Yes, but you may need to coordinate with your dropshipping suppliers to get sustainability data. Tracehub can help generate DPPs based on supplier-provided information. For private label dropshipping, you're typically responsible for DPP compliance.
Does Tracehub work with Shopify Markets?
Yes, Tracehub integrates with Shopify Markets. You can configure which markets require DPPs (e.g., EU markets only) and manage compliance per market.
How do I handle products that are already in inventory?
For existing inventory without QR codes, you can add packing slip inserts with DPP QR codes, or include QR code cards in shipments. For future production runs, integrate QR codes into packaging from the start.
Ready to add Digital Product Passports to your Shopify store?
Tracehub makes DPP compliance easy for Shopify merchants. Install the app, sync your products, and generate your first compliant passport in minutes.