From Transparency to Price Premium: An Exploratory Analysis of Digital Product Passport Disclosure in the Romanian Smartphone Market

This paper explores whether sustainability-related transparency is associated with smartphone price levels in the Romanian market. Using a cross-sectional dataset of 50 smartphone models commercialized between 2022 and 2024, the study constructs a Digital Product Passport-oriented transparency index based on four observable disclosure dimensions: recycled materials, repairability information, ecofriendly packaging, and carbon footprint reporting. A bivariate OLS regression indicates a positive and statistically significant association between the transparency index and smartphone prices. Each additional transparency dimension is associated with an average price increase of approximately 1,028 RON, while the model explains 40,6% of price variation. The findings suggest that DPP-related transparency may act as a market signal, although the estimated premium should be interpreted as an association. The study contributes exploratory empirical evidence on the economic relevance of sustainability disclosure in digital consumer markets.