Portuguese Consumers’ Awareness of the Digital Product Passport (DPP): Implications for Sustainable and Circular Textile Systems

Abstract

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a regulatory tool proposed by the European Union to strengthen traceability, sustainability and transparency in the textile industry. This study analyses the awareness, attitudes and behaviour of Portuguese consumers regarding the adoption of the DPP and sustainable textile consumption, covering the stages of purchasing, use and disposing of clothing. The survey was based on an online questionnaire completed by 500 respondents, and the data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics software. The data reveals that 70.7% of consumers recognise the potential impact of the DPP on their purchasing decisions, but 78.8% were unaware of the concept. In addition, 47.2% do not consider the environmental impact when purchasing clothing, and only 7.2% trust sustainability certifications, evaluating products mainly by their labels and material composition (43.6%). Regarding disposal, 34.8% of participants discard between 2 and 5 items of clothing per year. The results highlight the need for awareness campaigns, greater digital accessibility to the DPP, and standardisation of sustainability labels. The study highlights the role of the DPP as an essential tool for promoting sustainable fashion by increasing transparency and enabling more conscious choices by consumers. However, the success of the DPP depends heavily on consumer education to understand and value this tool, as well as on accessible and simple digital integration that facilitates its use. Without these elements, the impact of the DPP may be limited, compromising sustainability goals in the textile industry.