Digital Product Passports will soon be a requirement. From Scramble Mode to Story Mode: Why Fashion Brands Need to Start Small on DPPs (and Start Now)
“We want to get ahead on compliance… but we’re already drowning.”
I’ve heard that line so many times lately, I could finish it for people. It usually comes after a deep breath, a shake of the head, and some version of, “We want to be proactive, we really do—but we’re buried.”And honestly? I get it.
If you’re running a fashion brand right now, you’re probably juggling production delays, fabric minimums, and a marketing calendar that somehow always needs more content. The idea of “getting ahead” on something like sustainability compliance feels… laughable. But here’s the thing: you’re not failing. You’re just living in reality.
The DPP Clock Is Ticking
Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are coming—fast. The EU is pushing forward with legislation that’s going to impact brands of every size.
And yet, most small and mid-sized brands don’t have:
a fully mapped supply chain
a full-time sustainability lead
the time (or energy) to chase down the exact recycled content percentage in that new fabric.
You Don’t Need a Perfect System to Begin
When we built DigiProPass, we didn’t design it for the brands that already have slick compliance dashboards and ESG teams. We built it for the ones duct-taping together data in Notion, juggling spreadsheets, and hoping that regulators give them “just one more year.”
And here’s what we learned from those early adopters: You can start your first DPP with what you already have. Literally—one product. One story. That’s enough.
The brand that uses deadstock? That counts.
The product that’s made locally? That matters.
The item with certified organic cotton but no clear factory records yet? That’s okay.
Start Small. Start Messy. Just Start.
Perfection is the enemy here. Sustainability isn’t about having a 200-page report. It’s about transparency—and that can begin with a single sentence and a willingness to try.
Here’s what “starting” actually looks like:
Pick one product that has a story you already know
Write down what you do know—materials, where it’s made, anything
Generate your first DPP
Share it. Learn from it. Iterate.
The Cost of Waiting
Let’s not sugarcoat this part: waiting is going to be expensive. The last-minute scramble? It’s brutal. Late nights. Scrambled audits. That feeling of “Why didn’t we deal with this sooner?” The brands who take small steps now are going to save way more later—money, time, stress, and trust.And here’s another piece that’s shifting: your customers are starting to expect this.
QR codes that show your product story.
Proof behind your claims.
Traceability that’s real, not marketing fluff.
If that sounds overwhelming, that’s exactly why we’re giving brands 3 weeks of DigiProPass free. No budget convo. No pitch deck. Just a chance to test it with zero risk.
What you’ll see inside:
A way to pull sustainability data into one place
Reports that make sense (and don’t need a sustainability degree)
A system that works with your existing tools
A price that doesn’t spike your cortisol
This Is Bigger Than a Tool
We’re not just here to tick boxes. We’re here to help you use compliance as a competitive edge. This shift toward transparency? It’s not going anywhere. The brands that tell their stories clearly, creatively, and truthfully—they’re the ones that will build real loyalty. And DPPs? They’re how you prove that your story is real. So if you’re a fashion founder feeling the pressure and unsure where to begin—just start. Start with what you have. Start before you feel ready. We’ll meet you there.
Try DigiProPass free for 21 days. No strings. No stress. Just progress.