Latest news with #Ecodesign
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's the Status on Digital Product Passport Implementation?
The European Union's approach toward Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) may be helping to keep the adoption of digital product passports (DPPs), once a widely hyped technology for supply chain transparency, afloat. Several years ago, DPPs—which help brands share information about a product's material makeup, origin, carbon footprint and instructions for end of life—consistently surfaced as a point of discussion. Companies considered their value, conducted pilots and began consolidating data to be used for the consumer-facing portion of the technology. As cost pressures amassed and priorities shifted, some companies halted their adoption or exploration of DPPs—but new movement on the ESPR could be ushering in a resurgence for the traceability tech. More from Sourcing Journal Trump Touts Trade Truce With Indonesia, Indicates India Might Not Be Far Behind Chain Reaction: Asendia's Hendrick Kummeling on Why Strategic Flexibility is the Best Defense Against the Uncontrollable Acne Studios Teams With Temera On Traceability Solution Despite the bloc's watering down of other sustainability-related regulations—take the reduced scope of the EU's Omnibus package designed for streamlining corporate due diligence, as an example—ESPR has already been adopted. Regulators have commenced a process that will soon set forth sector-specific expectations they will enforce under the law. In April, EU regulators approved the Ecodesign and Energy Labeling Working Plan 2025-2030, which indicated how they view industry prioritization and laid the groundwork for future expectations under the ESPR, including those for textiles and apparel. According to the plan, EU regulators believe implementing DPPs into the textiles and apparel sectors has 'high potential to improve product lifetime extension, material efficiency and to reduce impacts on water, waste generation, climate change and energy consumption.' Moving forward, EU regulators will propose a delegated act—which helps those impacted by the incoming regulations to better understand the exact requirements they must meet—to be adopted by 2027. The idea, then, is that companies will be in compliance with the requirements in 2027, and the mandates will be enforced in 2028. The act that will clarify the industry's requirements is likely to be proposed by the end of the year or early 2026. Megan Brewster, vice president of advanced technology at Impinj, said those acts will dictate the continued movement of DPP integration inside companies—both technology providers and those required to adopt the systems they build. 'DPP is still definitely moving forward. There's a lot of work going on in the standardization of, 'What are these digital product passports, and how are they implemented?'' Brewster said. 'We are still looking forward to those delegated acts, where we'll get a better understanding of what the implementation will really look like for these different product categories.' For all the bureaucracy that remains to be worked out, that the ESPR pervades at all is a win for transparency technology providers. The EU's legislation looms large and in charge over the heads of some fashion and apparel brands. Interview-based data from consulting firm Bain & Company and secondhand marketplace eBay research shows that roughly nine in 10 companies deem DPP integration a 'regulatory burden;' in other words, a checkbox they must tick off to keep their business compliant in a key market. Patrick Willemsen, director technical community EMEA at product lifecycle management (PLM) company Aras, said regulation and material provenance are the key reasons companies have started investing resources into DPP integration—but not all companies have started the journey of working toward DPPs. 'We do see some reluctance [toward] spending money on the DPP, especially because the collection of that data takes a lot of time and a lot of effort,' he said. 'I think the bigger [companies], they see that they have to be proactive. The smaller ones are reluctant, because it's not clear to them what is actually needed for the DPP, so they are more in the waiting position.' Data continues to be a problem for many brands working to integrate technology—mandatory or voluntary—particularly in the fashion industry. That's because fashion and apparel brands often have siloed data spread across their organizations, which can make consolidating even simple factors for a DPP on a clothing tag a daunting task without the right governance systems and supplier relationships in place. That's especially true as companies seem to face stronger-than-ever mandates from the C-suite related to creating value and churning profits. Matteo Capellini, partner at Bain & Company, said that though both EU and the U.S. regulators have backed down from respective legislation in their nations related to sustainability, companies continue to quietly advance their efforts, even if the goalposts have shifted. 'What we're seeing with this watering down of regulation in Europe is actually a change of paradigm. We summarize this change…with the expression, 'from morality to materiality.' Basically, companies are focusing much more on value creation in sustainability, but they're not slowing the effort,' he said. 'Companies, [because of] the politicization of certain issues are speaking less, but they're not slowing the efforts. This is what we're seeing with our clients on a daily basis now, and it's across geographies.' Each of the three experts noted that, while regulation might be a primary driver for implementing DPPs, brands and retailers are likely to find other value in the technology along the way. Authentication to reduce the spread of counterfeit items is but one benefit experts said DPPs could have; they could also help companies model the environmental impact their products could have before production ever begins. Part of the allure for companies could be delighting and connecting with the consumer. Bain and eBay's data shows that, at present, consumers actually reap about two-thirds of the value DPPs offer today. That's, in large part, because it helps them resell the product with greater ease—and to prove it's authentic during the process of selling the item. Capellini said brands and retailers have the opportunity to grab a greater share of that profit back if they enable branded resale programs at scale, rather than forcing consumers to rely primarily on peer-to-peer resale players like eBay, Poshmark, Depop and others. 'Today, secondhand is not a top priority for brands, although everyone, in one way or another, is looking into it or working on it,' he said. 'In the next three to five years, we [expect] to start seeing brands seeing the potential increasing year after year of secondhand, coming from this enabler of DPP, and investing in owning the [resale] channel, rather than relying on peer-to-peer platforms like it's happening today.' Brewster said sustainability, despite today's regulatory environment, remains top of mind for consumers and brands alike. She expects to see the secondhand market and other consumer-led sustainability plays continue to expand the market for DPPs. She further noted that other priorities, like traceability and product fidelity, will influence companies' prioritization of DPPs and other digital identifier technologies, like RFID. 'What we're seeing from companies is that sustainability remains a priority. It may be in a different place on that list of priorities, but it remains a priority. Other priorities that may be coming further up the list still point them toward the use of digital identifiers,' Brewster said. ''Sustainability' may not be the word for today, this year, next year, but it's for sure coming back.' Experts said they believe consumers' interest in sustainability remains. But despite that, consumers' interest in the digital fingerprints on the day to day is a little more difficult to quantify. Whether or not EU consumers are on board, DPPs on fashion and apparel items are headed their way within a few short years. But Willemsen said U.S. consumers may not see such stronghanded adoption from their favorite fashion brands—mostly because it's not fully required. Instead, he posited, companies will likely begin by implementing DPPs on their EU-based products, both to save money and to make the processes behind integration more streamlined before scaling DPPs into all their markets simultaneously. 'I have the impression that the American companies are waiting a little bit [to see] what the European companies are doing. That makes sense—the Europeans are closer to the fire,' he said. 'Global companies will have an advantage of being able to trial and error in Europe and see if [their approach] works.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU Digital Product Passports unlock textile commercial opportunity by 2026
The report emphasises that DPPs, mandated under the EU's Ecodesign Regulation, present a significant commercial opportunity beyond mere compliance that can foster ongoing revenue streams, promote sustainability, and fortify consumer relationships. The impending EU regulation is poised to alter the economic landscape of fashion resale, potentially doubling the lifetime value of products. The research indicates that up to 65% of these benefits could accrue to consumers. It claims that the new regulation could yield an additional £500 on an item priced at £500 currently, through resale and related services once enhanced by a DPP. This is due to increased trust, traceability, and ease of resale. Despite the potential advantages, approximately 90% of brands surveyed by Bain perceive DPPs mainly as a regulatory imposition. Bain & Company retail and customer strategy & marketing practices Aaron Cheris said: 'DPPs are more than just checking a compliance box. They are a foundational shift in how value is created, captured, and sustained over a product's lifetime. Brands that act early can build a more direct, data-rich relationship with consumers, tapping into resale trends and personalising services in powerful new ways.' Understanding DPPs DPPs, which is part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), serve as standardised digital records that may include QR codes, NFC tags, blockchain technology or similar methods. They hold comprehensive data on a product's materials, origins, environmental impact, and lifecycle. These records empower brands to initiate confident resale programmes and offer customised warranties and aftercare services while monitoring usage to prolong product lifespans and reporting on ESG goals with improved transparency. The ESPR stipulates that by 2030 almost every physical product sold within the EU must have a DPP. According to the Bain/eBay study, consumers will be the primary beneficiaries of the value unlocked by DPPs. By simplifying processes – eliminating lost receipts or cumbersome listings – DPPs facilitate effortless resale transactions and enhance buyer confidence. As second-hand markets grow, DPPs could catalyse further growth by reinforcing trust and normalising circular shopping habits. eBay global fashion VP Alexis Hoopes said: 'Digital Product Passports are critical to powering the future of circularity in fashion. As a global marketplace at the forefront of resale, we're exploring how better product data can enable smarter buying, responsible selling, and a more trusted platform. Unlocking value for consumers is a critical part of the connected product evolution.' "EU Digital Product Passports unlock textile commercial opportunity by 2026" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Productsup and Protokol partner to streamline creation of Digital Product Passports to prepare for EU compliance
The new integration empowers companies to prepare for upcoming European Union regulations faster and more cost-effectively BERLIN, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Productsup, a leading enterprise feed management and syndication platform, together with Protokol, a leading Digital Product Passport (DPP) solutions provider, today announced a new partnership enabling companies to create DPPs from existing product data to prepare for the EU's upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The collaboration offers a direct integration between the two platforms, enabling businesses to leverage their optimized product data to create Digital Product Passports effortlessly. As the ESPR will mandate the implementation of DPPs across several industries and product groups — for businesses placing products in the EU market, regardless of where they're manufactured — the partnership supports all businesses now navigating these new requirements. "Gathering product data to create DPPs is often a significant undertaking for companies, requiring teams to source information from disparate sources and systems, organize and standardize the data in various formats, and make it readily available to the right stakeholders," said Lars Rensing, CEO at Protokol. "The beauty of our partnership with Productsup is that companies seeking to create DPPs can simply utilize their existing product data, both from the Productsup platform and imported from external sources. It reduces the burden of gathering and organizing that data in line with EU DPP requirements, so you achieve compliance faster without rework or disruption, saving time and minimizing errors." The EU's DPP mandate, part of the broader Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), aims to boost product traceability, sustainability, and circularity across industries. Starting in 2027 with sectors like textiles, and industries such as steel and electronics to follow shortly after, the DPP will make key product information — from materials and repairability to recyclability and environmental impact — accessible throughout a product's lifecycle. This will help businesses meet sustainability goals, enhance supply chain transparency, and empower consumers to make more informed choices. Complementing this, the Omnibus Regulation is designed to harmonize sustainability data sharing across policies like ESPR and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Even as CSRD implementation faces delays into late 2025, companies are using this window to prepare for long-term compliance. To be DPP-ready, businesses must collect and standardize detailed product data, such as material composition, repair guidelines, and certifications, in secure, machine-readable formats accessible to stakeholders across the supply chain, in line with ESPR and Omnibus standards. "Our integration with Protokol doesn't just help businesses prepare for compliance — it automates complex data processes to deliver a smarter, more scalable solution," said Johannis Hatt, CEO at Productsup. "Companies can automatically transform their enriched product data into detailed digital product passports — without manual reformatting or redundant data entry. This direct integration streamlines the entire DPP creation process, reducing the time and resources required to prepare for EU mandates. By combining our strengths, we're bringing an end-to-end offering to the market, helping companies work toward compliance while safeguarding data integrity and setting them up for long-term success across multiple regulatory landscapes, from DPP to CSRD and beyond." To learn more about the partnership and upcoming DPP regulation, join Productsup and Protokol's webinar, Leveraging existing product lifecycle data to align with EU sustainability regulations, on 17 June, 2025 at 2 p.m. CET. Register here. For more information about how Productsup can help you prepare your product feeds for global sustainability regulations, visit Explore the value and how to get started with Protokol's Digital Product Passport at About Protokol Protokol is a technology provider that builds Digital Product Passport solutions for companies of all sizes and stages. Our purpose-built DPP platform enables early adopters to both launch pilot projects across their product portfolio to work towards regulatory compliance, and to implement future-proof solutions that deliver on sustainability and circularity objectives now. Alongside our diverse ecosystem of trusted partners who specialise in everything from regulatory compliance, to product standardisation, sustainability, LCAs and more; we deliver a holistic DPP solution that ensures compliance, facilitates circularity, enhances the customer experience and unlocks new opportunities for growth. To learn more about Protokol's Digital Product Passport consulting and development services, and to find out how we can support your next project from concept to launch and beyond, visit About Productsup Productsup enables global companies to create perfect product content journeys for every channel and target consumer worldwide. Processing over two trillion products a month, the highly scalable feed management and syndication platform is equipped for the most sophisticated enterprise customers, helping them overcome commerce complexity to create consistent product, brand, and service experiences. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Berlin, Productsup works with over 1,000 brands, including Sephora, Beiersdorf, and ALDI. Media contact:Anabel Lalagunaprotokol@ 198698 Logo - - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Protokol; Productsup Sign in to access your portfolio
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Wood-burning stoves WILL be allowed in new homes after government shelves plans to ban 'toxic polluters' to the fury of eco-campaigners
Wood-burning stoves will be allowed in new-build homes across England despite concerns over their impact on air pollution and carbon emissions. The Government has confirmed in a surprise letter to the Stove Industry Association (SIA) that the appliances will be permitted as a 'secondary heating source'. Ministers are working on a 'Future Homes Standard' which aims to ensure all new homes and buildings are energy efficient and use low carbon heating systems. The plan is due out later this year, and anti-pollution campaigners had hoped it would ban wood-burners which have become a fashionable status symbol in recent years. But the decision to allow them was today condemned as 'ridiculous', and follows the Climate Change Committee calling for wood-burners to be phased out in homes. Environmentalists fear they are very dangerous to health - with a recent report from England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty finding even modern wood-burners produced 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating. However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now written a letter to the SIA to confirm they will be permitted in new homes. The letter, published by the SIA, read: 'A full technical consultation on the Future Homes Standard was launched in December 2023 and closed in March 2024. 'Under the standards proposed in the consultation, a wood burning stove would be permitted as a secondary heating source in new homes.' The letter also said: 'The Government acknowledges that it is possible to significantly reduce the level of smoke emitted through domestic burning if the right fuels, appliances and practices are used.' What are the rules on wood burners and how much can you be fined for breaking them? The Government is trying to reduce air pollution by issuing fines for illegal log burner use, in an attempt to reduce harmful pollutants such as tiny particles called particulate matter being released straight into the home as well as into the air outside. Domestic wood burning is the UK's largest single source of particulate matter known as PM2.5, which is linked to health problems such as heart disease, strokes and lung cancer . While wood burners are not banned outright anywhere in the UK , there are regulations withing 'smoke control areas' which mean certain wood burners cannot emit more than 3g of smoke per hour. But if the log burner is on a list of Defra-exempt appliances that produce fewer smoke emissions, the owner can apply for an exemption. People must also use an approved fuel, which varies depending on their location – with a list provided on the Defra website. Owners are also advised to look for the 'Ready to Burn' logo on fuel packaging, which means the fuel has less than 20 per cent moisture and therefore complies with Defra rules. All new log burners must also adhere to 'Ecodesign' rules to reduce smoke and pollutant emissions. Homeowners are also advised that wet wood is less efficient than naturally dried or 'unseasoned' wood, because more energy is wasted in turning the moisture in the wood into vapour. Anyone with wet or unseasoned wood, should dry it out for at least a year before using it – and wait until it has less than 20 per cent moisture. Local authorities in England can issue fines of between £175 and £300 for people breaking the rules – or up to £1,000 for using unauthorised fuel in an appliance not on the Defra-exempt list. This could go up to £5,000 for repeat offenders if the situation goes to court. It comes after the SIA wrote to the MHCLG in early February in a letter co-signed by other groups including the Confederation of Forest Industries and British Flue and Chimney Manufacturers Association. That letter aimed to 'highlight the significant benefits of modern wood burning stoves, including their role in reducing carbon emissions, alleviating energy system strain, improving air quality, and promoting sustainable energy solutions'. Speaking about the response from the Government, SIA chair Andy Hill said: 'We are delighted that it has been officially confirmed that under the proposed Future Homes Standard, the installation of a wood burning stove will be permitted. 'We are also particularly heartened to see that government acknowledges the impact of domestic burning best practices. Responsible use of modern wood burning appliances is something the SIA and its members have advocated for over many years. 'The SIA welcomes the government's positive response and looks forward to continued engagement as policies are developed and implemented. 'We believe that modern wood burning stoves can play a crucial role in achieving cleaner air, supporting local economies, and providing consumers with sustainable and flexible heating choices.' But Jemima Hartshorn, the co-founder of the Mums for Lungs campaign group, told MailOnline that the MHCLG's decision was 'completely ridiculous'. She added: 'We're hoping the Government will reconsider this absolutely ludicrous position. This is clearly a decision that is not in the interest of climate. 'It goes against all evidence, and it can't be brought in alignment with the Government's focus on cleaning up the air, on making sure the next generation of children is the healthiest that has ever lived in the UK.' Yesterday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was going 'all out' for a low-carbon future and accelerating the push to net zero. But Ms Hartshorn said the Government's decision goes against this, adding that burning wood is 'not net zero' and is 'not carbon neutral'. It comes after the Scottish Government dropped a ban on installing wood-burners in new homes or conversions last November following a backlash. Ben Pearce, head of the Health Effects of Air Pollution programme at the Impact on Urban Health, said: 'We are deeply concerned by the Government's decision to allow wood-burning stoves in new homes. 'This contradicts the Chief Medical Officer's report, which points out that even modern 'eco-design' stoves emit 500 times more harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) than gas boilers. 'Wood burning contributes to 43,000 premature deaths annually in the UK, disproportionately affecting urban and lower-income communities, and posing a serious threat to children's health. This outdated practice should have no place in our homes or our future.' A Government spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The Future Homes and Buildings Standard, to be published later this year, will ensure all new homes are energy efficient and use low carbon heating systems. 'As set out in the Future Homes Standard consultation, the use of a wood fuel appliance as a primary heating system would not achieve the standards proposed, however their installation would still be permitted as a secondary heating source.' The standards aim to ensure homes and buildings will be 'zero carbon ready', meaning no further work will be needed for them to have zero carbon emissions once the electricity grid has fully decarbonised. The consultation set out that the Government expects heat pumps and other forms of low carbon heating to be used once the new standards are in place. While the Government believes wood heating systems would be unlikely to meet the required standard for a primary heating system, it has now confirmed their installation would still be permitted as a secondary heating source. A secondary heating system is defined as one which operates separately from the main heating system and which does not provide most of the heating in the house. Ministers have also pointed out that legislation is in place to restrict the sale of the most polluting fuels used in domestic burning, including the sale of small volumes of wet wood for domestic burning; limits on the emission of sulphur and smoke from manufactured solid fuels; and phasing out the sale of traditional 'bituminous' coal. Clean-air campaigners have been lobbying for wood-burners to be banned from built-up areas, including London, by citing claims by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that they presented a bigger problem than car exhausts. Most major cities in England fall under a Defra Smoke Control Area, in which some wood-burners are permitted. Defra's guidance acknowledges their rise in popularity, adding: 'Smoke from burning causes air pollution which harms the health of millions.' But industry experts have pointed out that Defra has since admitted in its report 'Emissions of Air Pollutants in the UK – Particulate Matter' that domestic combustion emissions have significantly fallen behind traffic pollution. And they point to figures showing that harmful domestic emissions have actually fallen by 72 per cent since 1990, and by 18 per cent between 2020 and 2023 alone. Particulate matter (PMs) are small particles made up of a variety of materials, some of which can be toxic, and some of which can enter the bloodstream and be transported round the body with serious impact on health. Domestic wood burning is the UK's largest single source of particulate matter known as PM2.5, which is linked to health problems such as heart disease, strokes and lung cancer. A report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies last December found the only source of PM2.5 emissions that increased between 2003 and 2022 was domestic combustion. Only four fines were issued for illegal wood burning in Smoke Control Areas across England in the year to August 2024, despite 5,600 complaints.
