Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to the world and sustainable production is a must to overcome these challenges. Thanks to a growing global awareness of environmental issues, many countries and global entities started to regulate some legislations and define road maps. One of the terms showing up through these legislations is Digital Product Passport (DPP); it is a tool that presents the story of the product’s lifetime.
Green Deal’s Powerful Tool Digital Product Passport (DPP)
The European Green Deal which aims to achieve zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 is on the European United’s agenda. For businesses exporting to Europe, understanding this legislation and its integration is essential.
As part of the European Green Deal, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) aims to reduce negative environmental impacts of products and increase functionality in the market. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a tool designed to make meeting the requirements of ESPR easier.
DPP is a digital record of the product as a unique identifier that is physically present on the product via a data carrier such as a barcode, QR code, or some other data-capture medium. It must include some mandatory information that is specified as a part of ESPR, such as the product’s performance, substances of concern, percentage of recycled content, and expected lifetime.
The DPP is an essential tool that provides detailed information about a product’s environmental impact, materials used, energy consumption, and end-of-life considerations. In this way, consumers can make informed decisions about the product’s potential impact on the environment and can have transparency and traceability throughout the product’s entire life. Manufacturers can use it to optimize production processes, reduce waste, and comply with the EU’s environmental regulations.
Digital Product Passport (DPP) for Textile
The textile industry has long been associated with environmental concerns, from water-intensive cotton farming to energy-consuming manufacturing processes. At this point, It is important to understand the significance of Digital Product Passports (DPP) in the textile industry.
1.Transparency for Supply Chain: The DPP enables a transparent supply chain by providing a digital trail from the origin of raw materials to the final textile product. Consumers can trace the journey of their clothing, fostering a sense of trust and accountability.
2. Material Consciousness: Whether it’s organic cotton, recycled polyester, or innovative sustainable fibers, the DPP empowers consumers to make eco-friendly choices since it showcases the materials used in their textiles, including details about their environmental impact.
3. Circular Economy Integration: DPP also provides information about a product’s recyclability and end-of-life considerations, enabling the industry to embrace circular economy principles and shift away from the traditional linear model of production and consumption.
In 2024, the European Union will start to apply many applications; so DPP helps manufacturers comply with stringent environmental standards like the Green Deal.
Digital Product Passport (DPP)’s Benefits and Opportunities
DPP is an essential tool for the textile industry to become more transparent, accountable, and environmentally conscious.
1.Consumer Empowerment: Armed with information about a product’s environmental impact, consumers become powerful agents of change. The DPP empowers them to choose textiles that align with their values and contribute to a more sustainable future.
2.Innovation in Production: The DPP incentivizes manufacturers to innovate in their production processes. Whether it’s adopting eco-friendly dyeing techniques or exploring alternative materials, the textile industry can use the DPP to showcase their commitment to sustainability.
3.Global Collaboration: The adoption of Digital Product Passports opens the door for global collaboration. By establishing standardized practices and information sharing, the textile industry can work together to create a more sustainable and interconnected supply chain.
Towards The Future of Sustainable Textile
The textile industry is renowned for its vast global impact, from the cultivation of raw materials to manufacturing processes and eventual disposal.
Recognizing the need for sustainable practices, the integration of Digital Product Passport (DPP) in the textile sector seems proving to be a game-changer. Since the EU will start to put many applications into practice. So, manufacturers have to start to use these tools like DPP to comply with environmental standards. Supplied being integrated, providing transparency and eco-conscious manufacturing, DPP applications also have some challenges such as standardization, data security, and adoption. These challenges must be overcome through collaboration.
2024 is so close, especially the companies with a trading relationship with Europe will need to ask themselves for the future of sustainable textile production: “Are you ready for the future?”
Source
https://www.digitaleurope.org/projects/digital-product-passport/
https://www.eesc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/regulation_on_ecodesign_for_sustainable_products.pdf
https://www.protokol.com/insights/digital-product-passport-complete-guide/
https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/what-to-know-about-the-eu-s-upcoming-digital-product-passport/2023082871266
https://trustrace.com/platform