Digital Product Passport Readiness Assessment Study for the Textile Industry in the Global South

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the readiness of the textile industry in the Global South to implement Digital Product Passports (DPPs), a key tool supporting the transition towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP). As global regulatory frameworks—particularly in the European Union—advance requirements for product transparency, traceability, and environmental performance, DPPs are emerging as a critical mechanism to enable circular economy practices across value chains.

The study contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 12 by exploring how digital solutions can enhance resource efficiency, improve lifecycle data availability, and strengthen accountability in the textile sector. It examines the current state of digital infrastructure, data management practices, and stakeholder capacity in developing and emerging economies, identifying both gaps and enabling conditions for DPP implementation.

By focusing on the textile industry—one of the most resource-intensive and globally interconnected sectors—the report highlights the importance of inclusive digital transformation. It emphasizes that without targeted support, actors in the Global South risk being excluded from evolving sustainable trade systems due to limited technical capacity, fragmented data systems, and lack of harmonized standards.

The study outlines practical recommendations to bridge these gaps, including capacity-building, standardization efforts, and the development of interoperable digital systems aligned with international frameworks. It also stresses the need for collaboration among governments, industry stakeholders, and international organizations to ensure that DPP systems are equitable, scalable, and supportive of sustainable industrial development.

Ultimately, this resource supports policymakers, industry actors, and development organizations in understanding how DPPs can drive more transparent, circular, and sustainable textile value chains, while ensuring that the transition to digital sustainability frameworks is inclusive and globally coordinated.