Tesco head of technical Joe Little sees DPPs as representing an important step forward in encouraging and promoting sustainable and circular practices and adds: "We're pleased to be leading the way with this pilot, collaborating with Fabacus on our F&F clothing range.”
Fabacus explains the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into force on 18 July 2024 aims to enhance the sustainability and circularity of products within the European Union market.
The regulation is expected to mandate Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for almost all categories of physical goods sold in the Eurozone, including apparel, by 2030.
DPPs are being rolled out one sector at a time, starting with batteries, but it is hoped Tesco's pilot as well as the projects already launched by fashion brands Nobody's Child and Chinti & Parker will help the apparel industry prepare for what's to come.
Fabacus founder and CEO Andrew Xeni says: "The recent news of ESPR entering EU Law means this is no longer a nice-to-have for retail brands, but a regulatory requirement in the next few years, and we’re continuing to educate the industry on what this means for their businesses.
"This also offers a massive opportunity for businesses to showcase their commitment to sustainability, building brand reputation and consumer trust, leading to increased loyalty and market share.”
The regulation states the DPP information must be available to consumers via a data carrier (QR code, NFC or RFID), which must be on the product itself and remain accessible throughout its life cycle. This enables consumers, manufacturers, and authorities to make more informed decisions related to sustainability; traceability and promoting circularity.
To be ESPR and DPP ready, all parties of the value chain must be able to access detailed information about a products’ environmental impact including materials, repair instructions, disposal, and recycling methods as well as lifecycle impact. Equally, they must be able to integrate and display this information digitally, ensuring accessibility for all consumers.
Xeni adds: "We’re proud to have been at the forefront of this regulatory shift, supporting our partners to navigate the complexities of compliance and data management.
"This legalisation and the array of solution partners is already adding more complexity to the retail landscape, and we are looking to drive the standardisation of DPP data across retail globally.”
