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Jan van Baarle
Mon Mar 27 2023 ¡ 6 min read

Transparency in Fashion: The Rise of Digital Product Passports

Despite being one of the biggest sectors in the world, garment production has a big effect on the environment. There is an increasing need for supply chain transparency as customers become more conscious of how apparel manufacture affects the environment. Digital product passports are being created to tell consumers on the environmental impact of the clothing they purchase as a solution to this problem. We will discuss digital product passports in this blog article, including what they are, how they operate, and potential effects on the apparel sector.

Digital Product Passports: What Are They?

A digital record that details a product's environmental impact is known as a "digital product passport." A digital product passport for the apparel sector would include details on the components required to create a garment, the energy and water utilized in manufacture, and the carbon emissions produced during transit. Customers will be able to view the passport online or through a smartphone app.

How Do Digital Product Passports Operate?

To function, digital product passports gather information from all points in the supply chain. Data on the materials used, the energy and water utilized, and the carbon emissions produced are gathered at each stage of the production process. After that, this information is kept in a digital file that customers can access via a website or a smartphone app. A distinctive identifier, like a QR code, would also be included in the passport to enable customers to track the origin of the clothing.

QR code tagging

How might digital product passports affect the apparel sector?

By encouraging transparency and accountability, digital product passports could have a significant impact on the clothing industry. Digital product passports may influence consumers to make more environmentally friendly decisions by letting them know how their clothing affects the environment. When consumers grow more conscious of the environmental impact of clothes manufacture, this may also encourage clothing companies to adopt more sustainable techniques. Moreover, digital product passports might contribute to waste reduction because they would enable customers to make more educated purchasing decisions and because businesses might utilise the information to streamline their production methods.

Conclusion

Digital product passports, which inform consumers on the environmental impact of the clothing they purchase, are a promising development in the apparel sector. Digital product passports could enable more environmentally friendly practises in the garment sector and lower waste by fostering openness and responsibility. As digital product passport technology advances, it may eventually prove to be a vital tool for advancing sustainability and accountability in the apparel sector.