Context <p>The Digital Product Passport (DPP), proposed by the European Commission, is a unique identifier containing detailed information about a product’s life cycle to improve traceability, transparency and sustainability, which promotes the circular economy (CE).</p> Objective <p>This study examines the data governance required for DPP implementation in Europe, identifying regulatory requirements and assessing governance approaches capable of supporting DPP ecosystems.</p> Method <p>A systematic literature review, following the PRISMA methodology, included an analysis of EU legal and technical requirements together with governance proposals identified in academic and gray literature.</p> Results <p>Based on the governance approaches identified in the literature, three models were selected for analysis: data trusts, data cooperatives and blockchain-based governance. These approaches were specifically evaluated according to their ability to address four key DPP requirements: interoperability, security, data owner control and competitiveness.</p> Implications <p>As DPP implementation remains at an early stage and has not yet been fully deployed in any product category, this study adopts a cross-sectoral perspective focused on generic DPP requirements applicable across product types. The findings provide a conceptual basis and strategic guidelines for future DPP deployment, highlighting the importance of appropriate governance mechanisms to strengthen the DPP’s role as a catalyst for the circular economy.</p>