Mapping 3D design system to digital product passport requirements: a case study of CLO3D and Style3D

Purpose This study aims to examine how contemporary 3D design systems support the implementation of the European Union’s (EU) digital product passport (DPP). Building on literature and case evidence, it maps system capabilities to DPP requirements, identifies technical gaps and proposes a practical evaluation framework. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a structured review of DPP policy documents, academic literature, and 3D design systems, followed by a comparative case study of two leading platforms, CLO3D and Style3D. A qualitative content analysis of official sources and user experiences revealed key functional strengths, which were then used to validate the proposed evaluation framework. Findings Both systems validate the proposed framework and provide the necessary information for DPP. CLO3D excels in high-fidelity modeling, virtual fitting and presentation, strengthening product identity and the visual twin. Style3D demonstrates superior digital asset management, supply-side integration, remote collaboration and structured data outputs. However, neither platform delivers the cross-organizational data space and governance capabilities required for the DPP system support layer. There are also gaps in interoperability and the availability of standardized sustainability datasets. Originality/value While research on DPP has focused on policy, data management and technical architectures, few studies systematically examine how 3D design systems enable digital twins and support DPP implementation. This study addresses that gap by evaluating 3D design systems via the EU’s DPP core functions. The authors propose a three-layer, six-module DPP structure and trace the evolution of 3D system capabilities. Based on Zachman’s enterprise architecture, they develop a simple two-layer framework that links the production and core functions to DPP’s identification and information layers.