On 19 July 2026, the European Union switches on the Central Registry for the Digital Product Passport (DPP). Many brands are waiting for their sector-specific obligations — due from 2027 — before paying attention. That is a timing mistake. The infrastructure that makes those obligations enforceable is arriving now. Here is what this registry is, why it concerns you sooner than you think, and how to prepare your product QR codes without waiting for the final delegated act.

What the Central DPP Registry actually is

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) stems from the European ESPR regulation (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation). Sector by sector, it will require making a product’s compliance, composition and durability data accessible online through a physical data carrier — most often a QR code.

The Central Registry, set out in Article 13 of the ESPR, comes into effect alongside the full application of the regulation on 19 July 2026. It is not a database that will store your product passports. It is an index: a centralised directory of unique product identifiers. When a control authority, a customs officer or an authorised third party scans an item’s data carrier, the registry resolves that identifier and points to the manufacturer’s approved data host, where the passport is actually stored.

In other words, the registry is the routing layer for the whole system. No registry, no enforceable DPP. Its go-live on 19 July 2026 is therefore the date that unlocks everything else.

Why it concerns you before your sector obligations

The objection you hear most often: “the DPP isn’t mandatory for my sector before 2027 or 2028, I have time.” The dates seem to back this up. Electric-vehicle batteries are the first product group subject to a mandatory DPP, from February 2027. For textiles, the delegated act is expected between late 2026 and the second quarter of 2027, with a compliance window of roughly 18 months — meaning an effective obligation around mid-2028.

But reasoning solely in terms of the obligation date confuses two different things: the date the law compels you, and the date your packaging chain must be technically ready. Between the two sit the redesign of printed carriers, the assignment of identifiers, the structuring of product data and its hosting. These projects are measured in quarters, not weeks.

Three concrete reasons to act as soon as the registry opens:

• The product identifier becomes a structural asset. The registry runs on unique identifiers. Rolling them out properly now avoids reprinting and re-encoding an entire product range in a rush.
• The GS1 Sunrise 2027 transition converges with the DPP. By 2027, the QR code carrying a GS1 Digital Link becomes the primary product identifier, both at checkout and online. The same symbol can serve checkout scanning and the digital passport: one QR to deploy, not two.
• Getting ahead is a commercial argument. A brand that is ready before the obligation reassures its retailers and buyers, whereas last-minute compliance is something you endure.

The recommended approach: a single QR code, registry-ready

The good news is that you don’t have to choose between logistics compliance and the digital passport. The GS1 Digital Link Augmented QR code unifies the logistics barcode and the marketing QR in a single symbol — and that is exactly the type of data carrier the DPP system expects.

In practical terms, getting your products ready for the Central DPP Registry means: assigning identifiers compliant with the GS1 Digital Link standard, structuring compliance data in a controlled hosting environment, and printing a single QR code that will resolve correctly when the registry queries it. The content behind that QR can evolve over time without reprinting, and adapt to the regulation of the country where it is scanned.

This is the approach we deploy at Qezako: a dynamic, GS1-compliant QR code, with no single-vendor lock-in and under your own domain name. You build once and stay ready for every milestone that gets added to the ESPR timeline.

In short

The Central DPP Registry imposes no product obligation on 19 July 2026, but it installs the infrastructure that will make every future obligation enforceable. Waiting for your sector’s delegated act means condemning yourself to a rushed packaging project. Aligning your QR codes with the GS1 Digital Link standard now turns a regulatory constraint into a single, durable rollout.

The question is no longer whether the DPP is coming, but whether your product chain will be ready when your sector is called.

Download our white paper “Succeeding in the move to GS1 Digital Link” — the practical guide to getting your QR codes ready for the DPP and Sunrise 2027.

Official source: European Commission — Implementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation

For your company, this is not just a technical change of symbols. it is the opening of a powerful communication channel and an unprecedented logistical optimization.

1. What is a GS1 Augmented QR Code?

Unlike a standard "marketing" QR code that only contains a simple web link, the GS1 Augmented QR Code is a universal tool based on the GS1 Digital Link standard. It merges two worlds that were previously separate:

• The World of the Checkout (Logistics): It contains the product's GTIN, allowing for seamless scanning at every supermarket checkout in the world.

• The World of Digital (Marketing & Regulatory): It redirects the consumer to a rich interface (Qezako Story, Origin'Info sheet, or Digital Product Passport) without changing apps.

Since January 2025, the adoption of this new standard has accelerated. It is no longer a niche technology; it is a competitive requirement used by industry leaders:

1. Major Brands: Players like Yoplait and Carrefour (for its 8,000 Private Label references) have already begun their transition to prepare for tomorrow's commerce.
2. Visionary SMEs: Companies like Mulot & Petitjean (historic gingerbread makers) have proven that the Augmented QR code is a powerful modernization tool even for traditional heritage brands.
3. Key Stat: 85% of consumers report that accessing transparent info via a scan positively influences their purchase.

3. The Qezako Approach: Sovereignty at the Heart of the Standard

To meet this acceleration, Qezako Solutions developed a GS1 Augmented QR Code generator built for industrial performance. Our solution doesn't just create a code; it becomes the "brain" of your packaging.

1. Centralized Data Flows: Our platform consolidates all product information (marketing, traceability, compliance) in one place.
2. Native Interoperability: The Qezako generator connects directly to your existing tools (PIM, DAM, ERP). Your data flows in real-time from your database to your customer's smartphone.
3. Digital Sovereignty (Zero Vendor Lock-in): This is our core promise. You use your own domain name (e.g., https://www.google.com/search?q=scan.yourbrand.com). You remain the master of your links and your brand image for the next 10 years, independent of any tech provider.

4. Expertise: Steps to Succeed with Sunrise 2027

For decision-makers looking to launch a pilot project in 2026.

Should I keep the old barcode? During this transition phase, we often recommend "dual marking" to ensure 100% reliability at all points of sale until all global scanners are fully updated.

How to handle variable data (Batch, Expiry)? This is our core expertise. Our modules interface with industrial marking solutions to dynamically inject batch numbers or expiry dates into the GS1 code directly on the production line.

What are the inventory benefits? By integrating the expiry date into the checkout scan, you allow retailers to automate discounts on products near their end-of-life, reducing food waste by nearly 20%.

Three key points to consider for the success of your pilot project in 2026.

Can current checkout scanners read them? The transition is global. Most modern scanners are already compatible. During the migration phase, Qezako often recommends temporary double marking to guarantee 100% reliable reading at the point of sale.

Can the QR code be customized? Yes. The GS1 standard doesn't compromise aesthetics. We'll help you integrate the code seamlessly into your brand guidelines without affecting scanning speed.

How to manage variable data on the production line? This is the challenge of 2026. Our modules interface with your industrial marking solutions to print unique QR codes (batch, series) in real time, guaranteeing traceability to the unit level.

Conclusion: Lead the Transition

The GS1 Augmented QR Code is the new language of global commerce. By adopting it by March 2026, you give your customers the transparency they demand while radically simplifying your data management.

Ready to turn your packaging into a digital asset? Qezako Solutions is a GS1 partner and expert in deploying these new standards.

For SMEs, this is a golden opportunity to highlight authenticity against Private Labels (Store Brands). But how can you stay transparent when your supply sources change with the seasons?

1. Transparency: The New Competitive Moat

Today, 7 out of 10 consumers prioritize brands that can prove the origin of their ingredients.

• Winning the Price War: While Private Labels dominate on cost, SMEs win on proof. Origin’Info allows you to show that your wheat, meat, or vegetables come from a specific, high-quality supply chain.
• Meeting AI Expectations: Generative search engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity) now cite brands that provide structured, verifiable origin data. Being transparent is now a requirement for digital visibility.

2. The Agility Challenge: Digital Labels vs. Fixed Packaging

This is the major hurdle for manufacturers: How do you display “France” in the summer and “EU” in the winter without throwing away thousands of packages?

Digital labels via QR codes are the only viable answer.

• Instant Updates: With Qezako Solutions, you update an ingredient’s origin in your back-office with one click. The QR code on the box stays the same, but the information delivered to the customer is always 100% accurate.
• Zero Waste: No more managing obsolete label stocks or applying “corrective stickers” in an emergency.

3. Why Choose Qezako for Your Origin’Info Strategy?

Our dedicated module simplifies compliance for quality and marketing teams.

• Auto-Generated Logos: The Origin’Info logo (Level 1, 2, or 3) generates automatically based on your data.
• Batch History: Provide clear proof of traceability during audits or quality controls.
• Integrated Storytelling: Don’t just list a country—show your farmers and producers through immersive videos.
• Link Sovereignty: Your QR codes point to your own domain. You remain the master of your brand image and your data.

4. Expertise: Succeeding with Dynamic Display

Key points for a smooth transition in 2026.

Is Origin’Info mandatory? The initiative remains voluntary, but it has become a market standard. Retailers increasingly demand this level of transparency to maintain a product’s shelf space.
The initiative remains voluntary, but it has become a market standard. Retailers increasingly demand this level of transparency to maintain a product’s shelf space.

Can the QR code be used for other things?
Yes. With Qezako, the same scan can offer recipes, anti-waste tips, or recall alerts, turning a transparency requirement into a powerful loyalty channel.

Conclusion: Transparency Cannot Wait

In March 2026, waiting to show your origins means leaving the door open for competitors. Transform your packaging into a living, reactive media asset.

Launch your first Origin’Info label: Qezako Solutions supports food brands in their digital transition.

Anticipating the DPP now means choosing to tell your products' story with the precision your customers have come to expect.

1. The DPP in 2026: What are we really talking about?

The DPP is a digital "identity card" for every product. Accessible via a simple scan (QR code or chip), it gathers verifiable information about the object's entire journey, from creation to end-of-life.

Immediate customer benefit :
Proof of Origin : Guaranteed authenticity and local craftsmanship
Environmental Transparency : Strengthened trust through real impact data
Product Life Guide : Access to maintenance and repair advice

2. Why start your reflection as early as March 2026?

The European calendar sets the first obligations for 2027, particularly in the textile, electronics, and constructionsectors. But beyond the law, it is the market that is setting the pace.

• The time for data: Structuring reliable information with your partners and suppliers requires 12 to 24 months of preparation. By starting today, you avoid the rush and ensure the quality of your data.

• Distributor demand: Major retailers are already prioritizing suppliers who can prove their traceability. Being ready in 2026 means securing your listings for 2027.

3. Transforming traceability into captivating media

At Qezako Solutions, we believe regulatory data should not be a cold, lifeless table. The DPP is an invitation to engage your consumer.

1. Value your craftsmanship: Use the digital space to show the behind-the-scenes of your manufacturing, your workshops, and your ESG commitments. 85% of consumers say that accessing this information via a scan positively influences their purchase.
2. Updates without reprinting: A change in supplier or a new label? With our dynamic solution, you modify the passport content instantly, without ever touching your physical packaging.
3. Stay in control of your image: This is the key point of digital sovereignty. Qezako allows you to use your own domain name. You are not captive to a provider: your links belong to you forever.

4. Expertise: Your questions on implementation

To enlighten SME leaders on the crucial points of the project.

Is it technically complex? Not for your team. Modern SaaS solutions integrate with your existing tools to centralize data without requiring a heavy IT infrastructure.
What are the priority sectors? Textiles, electronics, batteries, and construction products are the first concerned by the 2027 obligations.
How to guarantee that information lasts for 10 years? Regulations require long-term accessibility. By choosing a platform that respects the sovereignty of your links, you ensure that the passport remains active even if you change technology partners.

Conclusion: Stay one step ahead

In March 2026, the question is no longer "should we do it?" but "how can we do it to gain an advantage?". The DPP is your future loyalty lever.

Contact us for a personalized study and transform your compliance into pride.s your future loyalty lever.Prêt à lancer votre premier projet pilote ?