{"id":52364,"date":"2024-12-31T14:00:02","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T14:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=52364"},"modified":"2024-12-20T14:43:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T14:43:30","slug":"changing-tides-for-tech-businesses-as-the-espr-comes-into-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/changing-tides-for-tech-businesses-as-the-espr-comes-into-force\/52364\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing tides for tech businesses as the ESPR comes into force"},"content":{"rendered":"
When we consider the modern consumer, it is no surprise that waste is becoming an increasing strain on our planet. As technology continues to advance at such a staggering rate, our desire to possess the latest gadgets is having major knock-on effects on the environment and the amount of waste we send to landfills.<\/p>\n
To focus on technology companies and their role in this story, e-waste is the most prominent issue that must be addressed<\/a>.<\/p>\n To put these issues concerning electronic waste into perspective: \u201ce-waste remains one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams in the world\u2026 with less than a quarter of e-waste produced globally in 2022 being known to be formally recycled<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Given the staggering statistics above, it\u2019s unsurprising that the European Union has been implementing a range of initiatives to tackle such global issues.<\/p>\n Ultimately, with the goal of supporting greater circularity and championing more sustainable business practices. In particular, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation<\/a> (ESPR), which came into force this summer and stands as part of the EU\u2019s greater Circular Economy Action Plan<\/a> (CEAP) will aim to \u2018significantly improve circularity, energy performance, and other environmentally sustainable aspects<\/a>\u2019 of products placed of the EU market by ensuring that the product groups (within specified industries) have greater sustainability and recyclability attributes.<\/p>\n As part of the EU\u2019s push towards a more circular economy, the mandating of Digital Product Passports<\/a> (DPPs) will remain a key driving force in their efforts and will apply to all specified product groups.<\/p>\n It is worth noting\u00a0that the ICT industry is earmarked as one of the priority product groups for the DPP mandate and may have to comply as soon as 2027 due to its escalating contribution to e-waste. Again, unsurprising when we note that \u201885% of our e<\/a>-waste<\/a> is sent to landfills and incinerators\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n Regarding this and the EU\u2019s legislative move to prevent such figures from rising, technology and electrical companies placing affected products in the EU market, regardless of whether or not they were manufactured there, will need to comply.<\/p>\n Although the information on the delegated acts (specific guidance pertinent to each industry and product group) is yet to be announced, technology companies should begin preparing amidst this shifting landscape and start considering their route to EU compliance to enable a smooth and successful transition.<\/p>\n In simple terms, DPPs are a comprehensive and transparent digital record of a product’s lifecycle – which can provide access to data concerning many aspects of the item, from its material composition to the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process of the product, or even how to correctly dispose of the item when it comes to the end of its life. The passport\u00a0and the data it contains will be accessible by simply scanning the data carrier (such as a QR code or barcode), which will be affixed to the product.<\/p>\n These records will prove crucial in contributing to the EU\u2019s sustainability goals due to the transparent and accessible data they provide to all members of the value chain, from company to consumer. They will enable consumers to act more sustainably in their day-to-day considerations while supporting businesses in implementing more sustainable practices surrounding design, sourcing, and end-of-life care.<\/p>\nDigital Product Passports in support of a circular economy<\/h3>\n