Digital Product Passports for Workwear: Keeping Product Information Available Throughout the Garment’s Service Life

Many workwear garments are designed for repeated use over an extended period. Depending on the product and its intended application, they may undergo regular washing, maintenance or servicing throughout their working life.

For these products, technical information often continues to play an operational role after the garment has been purchased or issued. Care instructions, laundering requirements, technical documentation and certifications may all need to remain accessible while the garment is still in use.

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Is workwear included in the textile & apparel scope for DPP requirements?

Although the future textile delegated act has not yet been adopted, the latest preparatory study published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) includes workwear within the scope of textile apparel products considered for future Digital Product Passport requirements under the ESPR. The study covers textile apparel containing at least 80% textile fibres by weight, including technical apparel such as workwear. 

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How is workwear different than other Apparel & Textile categories?

For many workwear products, maintenance continues throughout the garment’s service life.

Depending on the application, garments may undergo repeated professional laundering, repairs or routine maintenance. As these activities take place, users may continue to rely on care instructions, technical documentation or other product information associated with the garment.

This long-term use is also reflected in existing industry standards. ISO 15797 defines testing methods for workwear intended to withstand professional industrial laundering, while ISO 30023 establishes qualification symbols indicating whether garments are suitable for industrial laundering.

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A Digital Product Passport supports the garment throughout its service life

Maintenance activities often depend on having access to the right product information. Care instructions, technical documentation, repair guidance or certifications may all need to remain available while the garment is still in use.

A Digital Product Passport allows this information to remain connected to the product throughout its service life, making it accessible whenever it is needed rather than only at the point of sale.

Where workwear is managed by employers or textile service providers, the same Digital Product Passport could also support making updated documentation, repair history or servicing information available over time.

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Preparing workwear for future Digital Product Passports

Although the final textile requirements are still under development, companies can already begin reviewing the information that may support future Digital Product Passports.

Understanding where technical documentation is stored, how product information is maintained and how it can remain connected to the garment over time will help organisations prepare for future ESPR requirements.

Interested in understanding how Digital Product Passports could apply to your workwear products? Talk to our team about preparing your product information and implementation roadmap.

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