Any DPP requirements for iron and steel will be defined through the relevant product-specific delegated act.
The DPP will support greater transparency and traceability across the iron and steel value chain by making relevant product information more accessible throughout a product's lifecycle.
Why iron & steel?
Steel is an intermediate product used to produce many other goods, with applications in sectors such as automotive, construction, and industrial equipment.
As part of the EU's transition towards a more circular and sustainable economy, the DPP will help improve access to information on product characteristics, material composition, circularity and sustainability-related attributes, supporting more informed decision-making across the value chain.
Key requirements
Requirements for iron and steel products are expected to be established through a future product-specific delegated act under the ESPR.
The DPP will be linked to products through a data carrier, such as a QR code, providing access to information required under the applicable legislation.
Depending on the final requirements and where required by the delegated act, information may include:
- Product identification and classification;
- Technical and material data;
- Information supporting circularity, such as recycled content;
- Sustainability-related product information;
- Documentation relevant to compliance and traceability.
The exact information requirements will be defined through the relevant delegated acts and supporting technical specifications.
For more information, please consult:
Who is affected?
DPP requirements may apply to manufacturers, producers, importers and other economic operators placing covered iron and steel products on the EU market.
Other actors, including recyclers, downstream operators and public authorities, may have access to relevant product information in line with the access rights defined in the delegated act.
Indicative implementation timeline
- Q4 2026: Indicative timeline for adoption of ESPR delegated act, setting requirements for iron and steel products, according to the ESPR Working Plan.
Implementation timelines may evolve as legislative and technical work progresses.
Resources and further information
The European Commission is working closely with stakeholders to develop the regulatory framework for DPPs in the iron and steel sector.
The development of the impact assessment and delegated act is supported by a technical study, including stakeholder consultation, performed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC).
More information on the JRC recommendations to support DPP requirements in the framework of the ESPR Regulation can be found in here. This proposal is based on the JRC Methodology for defining data requirements for the Digital Product Passport under the ESPR framework.
Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the latest legislative developments, consultation activities and implementation updates through the News & Updates, Upcoming Events and Resources & Documentation sections of this website.