EU ESPR compliance platform · Guide for SMEs · Updated October 2026
Digital Product Passport Software for SMEs
Battery passports become mandatory on 18 February 2027, the EU DPP Registry has been operational since 20 July 2026, and textiles follow from 2029 at the earliest (ESPR delegated act planned for Q4 2027, then a transition of at least 18 months). This guide compares the main types of DPP software for SMEs, with an honest look at where each type fits.
Quick summary
SME with a small team (batteries, fashion, electronics, automotive parts, food and beverage): start with the Hoken Pass free plan, upgrade to Base at 10 EUR per month when your catalogue grows.
Enterprise with complex multi-tier supply chains: evaluate enterprise platforms on a pilot, and budget for data collection separately.
Always verify two things before signing: eIDAS timestamp included, and a concrete path to EU DPP Registry registration.
Battery passports become mandatory on 18 February 2027
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Source: EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Article 77. EU DPP Registry operational since 20 July 2026.
DPP software compared: prices and trust layers
| Type | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | eIDAS timestamp | EU Registry path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoken Pass | SMEs, five guided templates | Free, Base 10 EUR/month | Yes | Included on every passport | EU JSON/XML batch files, ready to upload |
| Other self-service SME tools | Pilots and small catalogues | Low monthly plans | Often | Often not disclosed: ask | Varies: check the export format |
| Enterprise platforms | Large manufacturers, multi-tier supply chains | Quote based | Rarely | Varies by vendor | Usually part of an integration project |
| Consultancy-led tools | Brands that want data collection done for them | Pilot or project fee | No | Varies by vendor | Handled by the consultant |
Categories describe typical offers on the market in October 2026. Prices and features change: always confirm the current terms with each vendor before deciding.
How to choose DPP software: 5 checks that matter
- Start from your deadline, not from features. Batteries: 18 February 2027. Textiles: 2029 at the earliest (delegated act planned for Q4 2027, then at least 18 months of transition). If a vendor cannot name your date, move on.
- Separate the legal layer from the evidence layer. An eIDAS timestamp gives legal evidence in the EU, blockchain gives immutability for audits. You need the first, the second is a plus. Ask which one is included in the price.
- Demand a concrete EU Registry path. The Registry has been operational since 20 July 2026. Ask how identifiers get registered and who does the work: you, or the platform.
- Do the catalogue maths. Per-passport pricing gets expensive fast with large catalogues, flat monthly plans win for stable assortments. Include data collection: supplier evidence and life cycle analysis usually cost more than the software.
- Time to first passport beats slide decks. A free plan or pilot that produces a real QR-linked passport this week tells you more than any demo. Prefer tools that let you start without a sales call.
Which type of DPP software fits you
Hoken Pass: the SME fast lane
Five guided templates (fashion, automotive, battery, food and beverage, electronics), a public passport page with a QR code, a qualified eIDAS timestamp on every published version, EU JSON/XML batch files ready to upload to the EU DPP Registry, a free plan to start and Base at 10 EUR per month. Built for teams that need a first passport this week, not an integration project.
Watch out: if you run multi-tier supplier networks across continents with custom ERP flows, an enterprise platform with a dedicated team fits better.
Enterprise platforms: for complex supply chains
Built for large manufacturers and brands: supplier evidence collection across many tiers, ERP and PLM integrations, identity and data-exchange standards, dedicated onboarding. Pricing is usually quote based.
Watch out: sales-led onboarding and no public pricing slow down small teams that want to start today.
Consultancy-led tools: data collection as a service
A consultant gathers supplier data, life cycle analysis and documents, then publishes the passport on a platform. Useful when you have no internal capacity, priced per project or pilot.
Watch out: check who owns and hosts the data after the project ends, and whether the passport can be updated without a new contract.
Other self-service SME tools
Low-cost plans with a free tier and quick setup, a good way to run a first pilot on a few products.
Watch out: check whether the eIDAS timestamp and Registry export files are included or handled separately before comparing headline prices.
The cost of waiting for 2027
What waiting costs: estimate your EU revenue at risk
From 18 February 2027, batteries in scope cannot be placed on the EU market without a passport. This estimator multiplies your exposed units by their value. Planning estimate, not legal advice.
Annual EU revenue that needs a passport from 18 February 2027
€150,000
- National penalties apply on top: ESPR Article 74 and the Battery Regulation leave penalties to Member States (effective, proportionate and dissuasive), including fines, withdrawal and recall.
- Rushed compliance costs more: published 2026 market data puts SME year-one DPP cost at 348 to 50,000 EUR, with data collection at 10,000 to 80,000 EUR per product category.
- Hoken Pass Base at 10 EUR per month covers the software side from today, so the gap is data collection, not tooling.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Digital Product Passport software cost for an SME?
Self-service DPP software for SMEs usually starts with a free plan and low monthly entry plans. Hoken Pass starts free and the Base plan costs 10 EUR per month. Enterprise platforms work on quote or pilot pricing. Data collection (supplier evidence, life cycle analysis) usually costs more than the software itself.
What is the difference between an eIDAS timestamp and blockchain in a DPP?
The qualified eIDAS timestamp is the legally relevant trust layer in the EU: it proves that a passport existed in a given state at a given time. Blockchain adds immutability and auditability as an evidence layer. Hoken Pass includes the eIDAS timestamp on every published passport. Ask every vendor which of the two they provide.
When is the Digital Product Passport mandatory?
Battery passports become mandatory on 18 February 2027 for EV, LMT and industrial batteries under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. The EU DPP Registry has been operational since 20 July 2026. Textiles follow from 2029 at the earliest (ESPR delegated act planned for Q4 2027, then a transition of at least 18 months); other groups such as steel, tyres and furniture follow their own delegated acts.
Which DPP software should a small fashion brand choose?
A small fashion brand needs guided templates, QR-linked passport pages, supplier data collection and transparent monthly pricing, not an enterprise integration project. Hoken Pass covers the SME end with a guided fashion template, a free plan and the eIDAS timestamp included.
Which DPP software should a battery SME choose?
A battery SME needs supplier evidence, carbon footprint and recycled content fields, and a passport that follows Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 before 18 February 2027. Hoken Pass covers the SME end with a guided battery template, a free plan and EU JSON/XML export files ready to upload to the EU DPP Registry.
What happens if we miss the DPP deadline?
Products in scope cannot be placed on the EU market without a passport, so that EU revenue is at risk. On top, ESPR Article 74 and the Battery Regulation require Member States to set effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, including fines, withdrawal and recall. Amounts differ per country.
Start with your first passport today
Create a free DPP with an eIDAS timestamp, or run the free ESPR checklist to see which data your products need before the 2027 deadlines.
See also: Battery passport · DPP for fashion · ESPR compliance · Pricing