EU Launches Digital Product Passport Registry, Toys Named in Scope

On July 20, 2026, the European Commission officially launched the Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry, along with a test environment for companies[cite: 1]. Article 13 of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781) required this central registry to be built by July 19, 2026, and the Commission delivered it one day after that deadline[cite: 2]. The official announcement names toys as one of the product groups the registry will support. For brands and importers selling plush toys into the EU, the compliance clock is now running[cite: 1].

What the DPP Registry Does and Which Products It Covers

Four days before the launch, on July 16, the Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1778. This act sets the rules for access management, user verification, data registration and storage, the technical architecture, and the division of tasks between the Commission and EU member states[cite: 2].

The registry will serve the product groups covered by the ESPR: textiles, steel and aluminium, tyres, furniture, ICT products, and energy-related products. It will also serve groups that need a DPP under other EU laws, including certain large batteries, construction products, toys, and detergents and surfactants[cite: 1].

In practice, companies register product data through a secure user interface or an API. Economic operators can request an electronic registration certificate, which the Commission presents as proof of compliance for B2B transactions. Customs offices can check the DPP of imported goods electronically, and market surveillance authorities can pull the records for enforcement[cite: 1][cite: 2]. On the standards side, six of the eight CEN-CENELEC harmonised DPP standards are already published, covering unique identifiers, interoperability, data carriers, APIs, data exchange protocols, and data storage[cite: 3].

Key Dates for Toy and Plush Exporters

EU importers carry the registration duty, but the underlying data must come from manufacturers and the supply chain. For plush toys this means material composition, supplier traceability, and test reports[cite: 4]. Industry estimates put the time needed to collect and verify supplier and material data at 12 to 18 months, so the real preparation window has already started[cite: 3]. Plush products are textile-based, which ties them to the ESPR textiles timeline as well[cite: 3]. Once the toy rules apply, toys without a registered DPP face blocked access to the EU market[cite: 4].

What Should Plush Toy Exporters Do Now?

What should plush toy exporters do now?
Start by building a data file for each product line. Map the bill of materials, identify every fabric and filling supplier, and gather existing test reports and certificates. Factories that keep clean safety and compliance records will answer importer data requests faster, and that speed will decide who wins orders in 2027 and beyond[cite: 3].

Next, talk to your EU customers. Ask which data fields they expect for registration and in what format. Then digitize your records so information can move through an API instead of email attachments. Review your plush toy materials documentation for gaps, especially recycled or certified content claims. Finally, use the registry test environment to run a trial registration before the first hard deadline arrives. Brands that treat DPP data as a normal part of sampling and production will carry less risk than those that wait for 2030[cite: 3][cite: 4].

Sources

• [1] European Commission, "Digital Product Passport Registry Now Live" (July 20, 2026). https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/news/digital-product-passport-registry-now-live-2026-07-20_en
• [2] ProdLaw, "European Commission Officially Launched Digital Product Passport (DPP) Registry" (July 2026). https://prodlaw.eu/2026/07/european-commission-officially-launched-digital-product-passport-dpp-registry/
• [3] Certivo, "EU Digital Product Passport Registry: July 2026 Readiness Guide". https://www.certivo.com/blog-details/eu-digital-product-passport-registry-july-2026-readiness-guide
• [4] Trade Aiders, "EU Toy Safety Regulation 2026-2030 Transition: Build a DPP-Ready Factory Evidence Pack Before Shipment". https://www.tradeaiders.com/pt/eu-toy-safety-regulation-2026-2030-transition-build-a-dpp-ready-factory-evidence-pack-before-shipment.html