“The future of product compliance isn’t about proving what you manufacture—it’s about proving everything behind it.”
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) for tyres marks a fundamental shift in how tyre manufacturers demonstrate compliance, sustainability, and traceability across the product lifecycle.
As the EU rolls out DPP requirements under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), UK tyre manufacturers exporting to the EU must move beyond traditional product labeling and build a connected digital foundation that supports end-to-end product transparency.
A Digital Product Passport is a structured, machine-readable record tied to one specific product, reached via a QR code or other data carrier, that follows a tyre from raw material sourcing through manufacturing, sale, in-use performance, and end-of-life recovery.
For tyres, it isn’t a system built from scratch. It’s an extension of one you already run.
Here’s what today’s label already grades, using the same A–E scale that will likely carry over conceptually into how ESPR frames performance disclosure:
Run our free DPP Assessment Calculator and get a clear, personalised readiness score in under five minutes.
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) applies to products sold in the EU, regardless of where they are manufactured. If a UK company exports tyres to EU countries, it must meet the same Digital Product Passport for tyres requirements as an EU-based manufacturer.
→ The rule applies to the product, not the factory location. UK tyre manufacturers exporting to the EU must comply with ESPR and future DPP requirements.
→ The EU remains a key export market. The UK tyre manufacturing industry is worth £1.5 billion, and Germany is one of its largest export destinations, making EU compliance essential for continued market access.
→ Non-compliance can disrupt business. Tyres that do not meet DPP requirements could face border delays, market restrictions, or rejection, leading to lost revenue and increased compliance costs.
The European Commission has not yet published the tyre-specific delegated act, so the final list of mandatory data fields is still under development. However, the ESPR framework, Annex III, and the existing EU Tyre Labelling Regulation (EU) 2020/740 provide a strong indication of what manufacturers should prepare for.
The Digital Product Passport for tyres is expected to combine today’s performance information with additional sustainability, traceability, and lifecycle data. This will help regulators, customers, recyclers, and supply chain partners access trusted product information through a single digital record.
| Existing EU Tyre Label (2020/740) | Expected Additional DPP Information | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel efficiency class (A–E) | Recycled rubber, recycled carbon black, and recycled steel content | Demonstrates circular economy performance |
| Wet grip class (A–E) | Material composition and substances of concern | Supports product safety and regulatory compliance |
| External rolling noise (dB and class) | Manufacturing location and supplier traceability | Improves supply chain transparency |
| Snow and ice grip markings | Carbon footprint and environmental impact | Helps measure sustainability performance |
| Tyre size, model, and product identifier | Durability, wear performance, and expected service life | Enables better product lifecycle management |
| QR code linked to EPREL | End-of-life guidance, recyclability, retreadability, and recovery information | Supports recycling and responsible disposal |
Think of it as two data layers stacked on the same product:
The key is to build on your existing tyre label data, not create a separate system. By extending your current EPREL, ERP, and PLM data into a Digital Product Passport, you can avoid duplicate data entry, simplify compliance, and reduce implementation costs.
Azilen’s Digital Product Passport services help manufacturers integrate existing systems, automate data collection, and build a scalable Digital Product Passport solution that is ready for evolving ESPR requirements.
Implementing a Digital Product Passport (DPP) for tyres is not just about generating a QR code. It requires bringing together product data, supplier information, and existing business systems into a single, compliant digital framework.
Most manufacturers can complete the implementation in 3–6 months, depending on the quality of their existing data and system readiness.
| Phase | What Happens | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 01. Readiness & Gap Assessment | Review existing product data, tyre labels, and business systems to identify gaps against expected ESPR and DPP requirements. Assess supplier readiness and compliance risks. | 2–3 Weeks |
| 02. Data Foundation & Governance | Organize product information, define data ownership, standardize data formats, and build a reliable foundation for the Digital Product Passport. | 4–8 Weeks |
| 03. Supplier Data Collection | Collect material composition, recycled content, chemical declarations, and traceability data from suppliers. Validate data quality and accuracy. | 6–10 Weeks |
| 04. System Integration | Integrate ERP, PLM, MES, and enterprise systems using APIs. Implement GTINs, Digital Links, and automate data flow into the Digital Product Passport platform. | 8–12 Weeks |
| 05. Digital Passport Deployment | Generate Digital Product Passports, assign secure QR codes, enable controlled access, and establish audit trails with version control for compliance. | 4–6 Weeks |
| 06. Continuous Compliance & Updates | Monitor regulatory updates, maintain product data, onboard new suppliers, and keep Digital Product Passports updated as ESPR requirements evolve. | Ongoing |
A Digital Product Passport (DPP) for tyres is a digital record that stores important product information, including material composition, sustainability data, recycled content, performance, and end-of-life information. It is accessed through a QR code or another digital data carrier and helps improve product traceability, regulatory compliance, and supply chain transparency under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
Yes. Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, UK tyre manufacturers exporting tyres to EU member states must comply with the same Digital Product Passport requirements as EU-based manufacturers. The regulation applies to products placed on the EU market, regardless of where they are manufactured.
The final data requirements will be confirmed in the tyre-specific delegated act. However, manufacturers should expect the Digital Product Passport for tyres to include:
Manufacturers should begin by reviewing their existing product data, supplier information, and enterprise systems. A successful implementation usually includes a DPP readiness assessment, supplier data collection, ERP and PLM integration, product traceability, and centralized data management. Starting early reduces compliance risks and avoids costly last-minute system changes.
Azilen Technologies helps tyre manufacturers prepare for Digital Product Passport (DPP) compliance through readiness assessments, product data management, supplier traceability, ERP and PLM integration, API development, and scalable DPP platforms. By connecting product data across the entire value chain, Azilen enables manufacturers to meet evolving ESPR requirements while improving operational efficiency and digital traceability.
→ Digital Product Passport (DPP): A digital record that stores product, sustainability, and lifecycle information, accessible through a QR code or digital data carrier.
→ ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation): An EU regulation that introduces sustainability and Digital Product Passport requirements for selected product categories, including tyres.
→ EU Tyre Labelling Regulation (EU) 2020/740: An existing EU regulation that requires tyres sold in the EU to display performance information such as fuel efficiency, wet grip, and rolling noise.
→ EPREL: The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling, where tyre performance information is registered and linked through the tyre’s QR code.
→ Product Traceability: The ability to track a tyre’s materials, manufacturing, suppliers, and lifecycle from production to end-of-life.
→ Supplier Traceability: The process of collecting and verifying material, supplier, and sourcing information throughout the supply chain.
→ Recycled Content: The percentage of recycled materials, such as recycled rubber or carbon black, used in manufacturing a tyre.
→ GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): A globally unique product identifier used to identify and manage products across supply chains.
→ Digital Link: A GS1 standard that connects a QR code to digital product information, enabling access to a Digital Product Passport.
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