DigiProd Pass Partners With BGMEA to Equip Bangladesh’s RMG Industry for EU Compliance

DigiProd Pass Ltd. and Digital Architect Ltd. recently launched a 24-month-long pilot program with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) to implement blockchain-based Digital Product Passports in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry.

In a major step toward aligning Bangladesh’s apparel exports with upcoming European sustainability standards, DigiProd Pass Ltd. and Digital Architect Ltd. have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The partnership will launch a 24-month pilot program to implement blockchain-based Digital Product Passports (DPPs) across Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry.

The partnership presents an unprecedented opportunity for BGMEA and its member organisations to secure continued access to the European market by proactively preparing for the EU’s upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

The pilot, which will span 24 months, was formalised during a signing ceremony at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka. Representing the partners were Anwar Hossain, Administrator of BGMEA, Salauddin Sohag, Managing Director of DigiProd Pass Ltd., and Dr. Fahim Chowdhury, CEO of Digital Architect Ltd.

Why This Matters

The European Union’s upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), set to take effect in 2026, will require exporters to the EU to disclose verified environmental and social data on every product via a secure digital passport. Without such compliance, manufacturers and exporters, such as Bangladesh’s RMG industry, risk losing access to the world’s most valuable apparel market.

With nearly 60% of Bangladesh’s garment exports bound for Europe, the stakes are high. The implementation of DPPs offers a proactive path to traceability, transparency, and continued access to international buyers who are increasingly demanding evidence of ethical sourcing and sustainability, and increasing trust while reinforcing Bangladesh’s global reputation as a responsible sourcing destination.

“This is not a choice or an option,” said BGMEA Administrator Anwar Hossain during the signing ceremony held at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka. “Whether you choose to do it now or later, you’ll eventually have to do it”.

About the Pilot Program

This pilot marks the first large-scale Digital Product Passport initiative in a major non-EU manufacturing country, a significant departure from most DPP pilots that remain confined within the European Union.

Over the next two years, the program will:

• Digitally track each product’s lifecycle from raw material to end-of-life
• Provide tamper-proof, real-time data using blockchain technology
• Automate compliance documentation and sustainability reporting
• Train and prepare BGMEA member organisations to meet EU requirements well ahead of 2026

The MoU formalises a transformative collaboration between three key players:

• DigiProd Pass Ltd., a blockchain-based traceability platform provider,
• Digital Architect Ltd., responsible for local deployment and capacity building, and
• BGMEA, acting as the industry convenor for pilot integration.

Strategic Roles in the Partnership

Through this partnership, DigiProd Pass Ltd. will provide its blockchain-based DPP platform, designed to capture and securely store every product’s lifecycle data, from raw materials to finished goods. This ensures tamper-proof, real-time traceability and simplifies audits and sustainability reporting.

Digital Architect Ltd. will lead local deployment, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), data integration with factory systems, and workforce training and digital onboarding.

BGMEA will coordinate with member factories, enabling smooth adoption of the DPP system while strengthening the RMG sector’s position as a globally trusted sourcing destination.

What sets this initiative apart is the unprecedented collaboration between a non-EU digital provider and a national industry body to operationalise an EU-mandated solution ahead of time. While most DPP pilots have so far been confined within European borders, this venture expands the frontiers of digital traceability, bringing cutting-edge solutions directly to where garments are made.

“This is a proud moment not just for DigiProd Pass, but for innovation in the Global South,” said Salauddin Sohag during the MoU signing ceremony, Managing Director of DigiProd Pass Ltd. “We are proving that world-class digital infrastructure for sustainable trade can be developed and deployed from outside the EU, and still fully align with its toughest requirements. It’s a statement of capability, agility, and global ambition.”

BGMEA Administrator Anwar Hossain expressed his thoughts on the significance of the initiative, emphasising that early adoption of the DPP system will allow Bangladeshi manufacturers to stay ahead of tightening global regulations. “This is not just a compliance issue, but also a competitiveness issue. With DigiProd Pass and Digital Architect, we’re building a robust digital foundation that will empower our exporters to operate with transparency, accountability, and confidence in the global market.”

Dr. Fahim Chowdhury, CEO of Digital Architect Ltd., highlighted the project’s transformative potential, noting that data-driven sustainability will become the cornerstone of the next generation of manufacturing. “This is our opportunity to demonstrate that Bangladeshi factories are not just cost-competitive, but also technologically sophisticated and environmentally responsible.”

Expanding the Vision

In addition to traceability and compliance, the partnership is exploring how DPPs can:

• Enable new models in textile recycling and circular economy metrics
• Support scalable digital infrastructure for other sectors, including leather, footwear, electronics, and electric vehicles.
• Strengthen Bangladesh’s global reputation for responsible manufacturing

Looking Ahead

As the pilot progresses, participating factories will gain access to tools that:

• Measure and report on key sustainability indicators
• Automate compliance workflows
• Build digital profiles for every product exported to Europe

Beyond meeting regulatory mandates, these capabilities will allow Bangladeshi exporters to build deeper trust with buyers and appeal to consumers who care about transparency, ethics, and environmental responsibility.

In a world moving toward greener trade and traceable production, Bangladesh has taken a decisive step forward. And with DigiProd Pass’s vision, BGMEA’s leadership, and Digital Architect’s technical capacity, this collaboration may well become a model for other nations navigating the future of responsible global commerce.

About DigiProd Pass Ltd.

DigiProd Pass Ltd. is the specialist division of Technovative Solutions Ltd., a UK-based research-driven organisation dedicated to developing innovative digital technologies for real-world challenges.

As a leader in blockchain-powered traceability and compliance solutions, DigiProd Pass brings extensive expertise in aligning with EU sustainability frameworks such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF).

With a deep understanding of European regulatory landscapes and a strong commitment to ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency, DigiProd Pass is a highly relevant technology partner for Bangladesh’s apparel sector. Its Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are set to offer end-to-end traceability from raw material sourcing and production to sale and end-of-life, providing verifiable evidence of compliance, environmental responsibility, and social standards.

About Digital Architect Ltd.

Based in Bangladesh, Digital Architect Ltd. is the local implementation partner of DigiProd Pass Ltd. and a division of Technovative Solutions Ltd. As a key technology enabler for the DPP pilot with BGMEA, Digital Architect is leading on-the-ground deployment, system integration, and stakeholder training.

The company brings domain expertise in Fintech, software solutions, and sustainability data, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental reporting. Positioned at the intersection of local industry needs and international compliance standards, Digital Architect plays a critical role in bridging global innovation with Bangladesh’s garment sector to ensure transparency, traceability, and regulatory readiness.