Made in Italy meets EU DPP — two systems, one strategy
The ESPR Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 has applied directly in Italy since 18 July 2024. In parallel, Italy strengthens origin protection and Made-in-Italy authenticity through Law No. 206 of 27 December 2023 (Made in Italy Act). The official mark is voluntary; the IPZS (State Printing Institute and Mint) provides physical security features and digital product information through a QR code. It does not replace ESPR DPP compliance, but it can supply origin, traceability and supply-chain data for future EU DPP data models.
Key deadlines: From 19 July 2026, large companies may no longer destroy unsold clothing and footwear. From 18 February 2027, the battery DPP is mandatory for LMT batteries, electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh. Textiles, furniture, steel, aluminium and tyres are prioritised in the ESPR 2025-2030 working plan; concrete DPP duties will follow through later product-specific acts.
Competent authorities in Italy
- MASE (Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security) — Lead authority for ESPR; chairs the Tavolo Ecodesign (inter-ministerial working group, established November 2024) with Confindustria, ENEA and ISPRA
- MIMIT (Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy) — Industrial policy, Made-in-Italy marks and traceability infrastructure; manages key investment and digitalisation programmes
- ENEA — Technical and scientific support; in 2025 coordinated guidelines for fashion-sector traceability and sustainability data as preparation for future DPP requirements
- AGCM — Market surveillance and enforcement for unfair commercial practices, misleading environmental claims and greenwashing. ESPR-specific penalties depend on national implementation.
Funding for Italian companies
- Piano Transizione 5.0 — PNRR tax credit for digital and energy transformation; MIMIT lists €6.3 billion for Transizione 5.0. 2026 notices mainly concern technical admissibility, confirmations and use of already reserved credits. DPP-adjacent software eligibility must be assessed project by project.
- Iperammortamento 2026–2028 — Italy's 2026 budget law reintroduced additional tax depreciation for certain 4.0 investments. Whether supply-chain or DPP software qualifies depends on the technical annexes and implementing rules.
- Nuova Sabatini 2026–2027 — SME financing for new machinery, equipment, hardware, software and digital technologies; MIMIT lists financing from €20,000 to €4 million and increased rates for 4.0 and green investments.
- Fondo Transizione Industriale (PNRR, 3rd call) — €134 million in non-repayable grants for energy efficiency, circular resource use and recycled materials; 40% reserved for southern Italy.
- CDP Green Transition Fund — €250 million PNRR fund for start-ups, newcos and venture-capital funds in green transition, circular economy, energy efficiency, waste management and energy storage.
Associations and industry context
Italy is strong in fashion, leather, furniture, machinery and automotive. The DPP therefore affects core Made-in-Italy supply chains:
- Confindustria — ~150,000 member companies; member of the Tavolo Ecodesign; supports the DPP as a competitive tool for Italian excellence, but calls for proportionate requirements for SMEs
- GS1 Italy — Central technical infrastructure: GS1 Digital Link and QR code are an important standard for DPP data carriers; actively engaging with Italian companies
- UNIC (leather industry) — ~1,100 tanneries; has been testing traceability systems (RFID, DNA markers, isotope analysis) for 20+ years; one of the most affected DPP sectors due to complex multi-tier supply chains
Digital product identities are already visible in Italian luxury and premium segments through blockchain and authenticity initiatives. For ESPR DPP readiness, that is not enough: manufacturers need interoperable and auditable origin, material, repair, recycling and sustainability data.
DPP by industry sector
DPP requirements differ significantly by product category. Most relevant for Italian companies — strong in fashion, furniture, machinery and automotive:
- Textiles & Apparel — Destruction ban for large companies from 19 July 2026; ESPR prioritises textiles in the 2025-2030 working plan, with concrete DPP duties to follow by delegated act
- Furniture & Timber Products — EUDR application for large and medium operators from 30 December 2026; furniture is prioritised in the ESPR 2025-2030 working plan
- Steel & Iron — CBAM in the definitive regime from 2026; steel is prioritised in the ESPR working plan, with DPP details to follow later
- Aluminium — Separate ESPR priority and CBAM sector; prepare recycled-content, carbon and production-route data
- Automotive & Mobility — EV battery passport from 2027 and robust supply-chain data — Fiat, Ferrari, Piaggio and suppliers affected
- All ESPR sectors → — Sector-specific deadlines, data requirements and associations at a glance
Frequently asked questions by Italian companies
Must I implement both the EU DPP and the Made-in-Italy pass?
Not automatically. The EU DPP becomes mandatory when a product group receives concrete DPP duties under ESPR or the EU Batteries Regulation. The Made-in-Italy mark is a voluntary origin and anti-counterfeiting instrument for eligible Italian goods. Origin and traceability data can still be combined with EU DPP infrastructure.
What fines apply for non-compliance?
Italy-specific ESPR penalties depend on national implementation. Market surveillance, corrective action, greenwashing risk and sales restrictions are already relevant when product information is missing or misleading.
Which sectors face the most urgent need for action?
Batteries (LMT, EV and industrial batteries above 2 kWh from 2027), textiles and fashion, leather, furniture, and steel and aluminium. These sectors combine high ESPR priority with complex supply chains and large evidence requirements.
