As the fashion industry navigates shifting sustainability regulations, the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is emerging as one of the sector’s most defining tools. Yet despite the buzz, concrete, real-world examples remain scarce. That is exactly why last week’s IMPACT TALKS | DPP Fashion Meetup resonated so strongly: it finally made the DPP feel tangible.
Representing Xandres, Sustainability Manager Clio Gydé joined a panel hosted by Jasmien Wynants (Masjien) alongside GS1 The Netherlands and Labels & Things to explore how DPPs can accelerate meaningful progress. Drawing from Xandres’ experience with setting up a DPP linked to resale within JUST Fashion, Clio highlighted how digital product identities can do far more than support compliance – they can help unlock customer trust, product longevity, and new circular business models.
One of the core insights she shared: resale and DPPs have the potential to reinforce each other. A transparent digital identity helps verify authenticity, store product history, and streamline intake processes – pain points that many resale programmes face today. When customers understand a garment’s story, they are far more willing to keep it in circulation.
These reflections connected directly to findings from the Fashion DNA project, supported by Circular Flanders and tested by brands including e5, SCAPA, and Claes Retail Group. While the project explored multiple models -from resale to a rental pilot for maternity we – the shared conclusion was clear: linking DPPs to circularity unlocks both operational and emotional value. As Clio put it, “sharing clothes works best when we can also share their stories.” For Xandres, this discussion reaffirmed a central belief: the DPP is not just a compliance tool – it’s a catalyst for building a more transparent and circular fashion ecosystem.
