Digital product passport for toys: Finally digitally feasible
- Inga Ellen Dr. Kastens
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
Digital product passport for toys: rethinking safety.
In March 2025, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) discussed the recast of EU toy law. What was discussed there was more than an update of existing directives – it was a clear political will to rethink product safety and implement it digitally.
For the first time, the Digital Product Passport for toys was not just mentioned – but discussed as a central instrument: a tool that brings together transparency, traceability, and safety information. And not as a technical appendix, but as an accessible component of the product.
Safety in the toy sector requires digital systems
The debate makes it clear: Toys are a sensitive product area – regulatory, emotional, and social. Safety requirements are high, as are the expectations of producers. However, the risk assessment system as it functions today is not fully digitalized.
A Digital Product Passport can change that:
Prepare material information in a machine-readable format
Document certificates and test marks in a traceable manner
Make safety data and instructions for use available directly on the product
Ensure traceability of raw materials and manufacturing processes
Establish connections to PIM and quality databases
In short: The Digital Product Passport can be a tool to make product safety visible in real time – for market surveillance, retailers, end consumers and manufacturers.
Digital product passport for toys: increasing political relevance
What used to be called the "Product Safety Directive" is now a top priority at the European level. MEP Brando Benifei described the reform of toy law as a "Product Safety Revolution for Children." This is not just about stricter regulations – it's about digital availability of information.
➡️ The full session can be followed here at the European Parliament ➡️ Further insights can be found in my LinkedIn commentary on the session
What this means for manufacturers
For manufacturers, the Digital Product Passport is not an end in itself – nor an isolated compliance requirement. It will become an integral component of product-related systems – analogous to product data management, CE certification, and internal testing mechanisms. What is required now:
Systems that combine data in a structured manner
Interfaces that meet market requirements (e.g. EU-DPP, IMCO, CE+)
Platforms that integrate the passport seamlessly – from the factory to the children’s room
The Digital Product Passport is coming – also for toys. But it won't come as an Excel sheet, but as a system solution. And: It won't come someday – it will come now.
The sooner manufacturers take action, the greater the advantage – not only technically, but also regulatory.
