Latest news with #DPPs
Fibre2Fashion
09-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Matthew Ekholm DPP and Circularity Specialist
Protokol's DPP solution enables companies to align with upcoming DPP mandates As the European Union moves closer to implementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), businesses across industries are under mounting pressure to future-proof their operations and comply with forthcoming sustainability mandates. A key requirement—the Digital Product Passport (DPP)—is set to revolutionise how product data is managed, accessed, and shared across the value chain. In response, Protokol has partnered with Productsup to deliver a seamless solution that enables manufacturers to transform existing product data into fully compliant DPPs both efficiently and cost-effectively. To gain deeper insights into this timely partnership and its implications for the textile and apparel sector, Fibre2Fashion spoke with Protokol's DPP and Circularity Specialist, Matthew Ekholm. In this exclusive interview, he discusses the critical challenges brands are facing, how the new integration streamlines DPP creation, and why early adoption could give companies a competitive edge in the circular economy era. Protokol offers Digital Product Passport solutions tailored to manufacturing. In sectors like textiles, what specific pain points is Protokol solving most frequently today? Protokol's Digital Product Passport (DPP) solutions are allowing fashion and textile enterprises to align with and prepare for compliance with the EU's upcoming DPP mandate—a pillar of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The legislation, which entered into force last year and is set to impact any company placing products in the EU marketplace within the mandated product groups, stands as a key tool in advancing circularity in the EU. In regard to pain points, many companies are both unaware and unfamiliar with the upcoming circularity regulations. Our DPP consultancy services help companies understand the requirements, while our DPP Solution offers a tool for companies to create DPPs for their products in preparation for the upcoming DPP mandate. Another pain point many in the fashion sector face is the frequent challenge of data management—from product data and sustainability metrics to environmental impact information and more. This data is often generated by various actors across the value chain and is typically stored in disparate or siloed systems. For companies looking to comply with DPP regulations, collecting and organising this data can be a big challenge. That is why we are pleased to announce the news of our partnership with Productsup. As an overview, our recent partnership with Productsup, the feed product data management and syndication platform, allows companies to collate their product data, pulling in data from a variety of different sources. They can then quickly and easily map this data against DPP templates to ensure that the required data is both present and displayed in a valid format. DPPs can then quickly and easily be created from this mapped data—solving the challenges related to collecting and organising data from disparate sources. How does Protokol ensure interoperability between its Digital Product Passport systems and legacy manufacturing systems that are still widely in use? With our API-enabled DPP solution, customers can import product data directly from external sources (legacy systems) to populate their DPPs. Ultimately, this means that the DPP solution will work in tandem with legacy systems, rather than simply replacing them. The benefits of this are that product data can remain in existing systems and be utilised for DPPs; ERP and SCM systems may also be able to support this data-gathering process. As our API-enabled DPP solution continues to gain traction, there is no need for the replacement of legacy systems, and the time or resources required for implementation are lowered. When it comes to our integration with Productsup more specifically, customers can not only import product data from single sources, but also instead import, merge, and map data fields from existing product data against required data fields for the DPP. In practice this means that data can be gathered from not just a single source, but a multitude of legacy systems across the supply chain. This has distinct advantages for organisations where the product data they may be required to include in their Digital Product Passports is collected and stored by suppliers, manufacturers, partners or external systems. How does your partnership with Productsup position Protokol to support brands in meeting broader sustainability reporting directives like the CSRD? The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) aims to make businesses more accountable for the sustainability of their operations and supply chains by enhancing transparency. While the deadline has faced delays—likely into late 2025—certain businesses operating within the EU will soon need to report their sustainability and social data in line with the European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS), which includes greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and even working conditions. Instead of seeking to 'plug' these gaps manually, DPPs can be used to support fashion brands in meeting this regulatory demand. When furnishing DPPs, typically the data collected comes from the broader supply chain (e.g. suppliers, external manufacturers), in addition to the company itself. This makes the inclusion of Scope 3 data and many other environmental impact data points much easier. With data needing to be verifiable and transparent for the ESPR, this has the potential to also be utilised to meet many of the CSRD reporting requirements (such as the Scope 3 data reporting requirement) by providing a verifiable audit trail necessary for CSRD compliance. Therefore, as DPPs can be utilised to support both CSRD and ESPR compliance, businesses will need to collect and standardise detailed product data, such as material composition, repair guidelines, and certifications, in secure, machine-readable formats accessible to stakeholders across the supply chain. Our integration with Productsup will help fashion brands seamlessly collect and organise data, embed it into DPPs efficiently, and ensure comprehensive compliance with multiple circularity requirements. Can you walk us through a recent implementation of Protokol's technology in a textile or apparel manufacturing firm and the measurable impact it had? While not yet announced, Protokol is currently working on a pilot with a customer in the fashion resale space who has taken steps to implement DPPs not just for compliance but also to empower the sustainable consumer. Garments entering the resale market will be issued with a unique DPP that provides a transparent overview of key product lifecycle data. By providing consumers with transparent product insight, they can become more confident in the authenticity, sustainability, circularity and history of the product they are buying. This is vital in encouraging consumers to become more 'eco-conscious' when it comes to purchasing decisions, empowering them with the information needed to make sustainable choices and actively impact what items remain in circulation or stop being produced. Supply chain transparency is a key challenge—how does your technology enable real-time traceability and trust across stakeholders? With the Product Lifecycle Event Registration feature, the Protokol DPP enables users to accurately track events throughout a product's lifecycle, from creation, to repair to recycle. By allowing user-generated or system-generated events to be created as part of the DPP, all permissioned stakeholders involved in a product's lifecycle can create events related to manufacture, repair, end-of-life and more, ensuring no major lifecycle event is unaccounted for. Such trails are created to foster enhanced traceability and reporting. In simple terms, Protokol's DPP solution can capture data insights relating to how a product is used, its lifespan, and more; and not just from the manufacturers, but from stakeholders across the value chain and even directly from the customers who use it. Textile and apparel manufacturers are under pressure to meet ESG goals—how is Protokol helping such clients track and report environmental or ethical compliance using DPPs? Protokol's Digital Product Passport solution enables companies to align with (and eventually comply with) upcoming DPP mandates, which are being put forward by the EU as a tool for encouraging the circularity and sustainability of products. DPP solutions will allow companies to meet ESG goals by demonstrating the sustainability and circularity of a product to stakeholders across the value chain, including end-users such as the consumer. Data included in DPPs can include the environmental impact of products, including metrics such as water usage, carbon footprint, and more. With some DPP solutions, this data can be exported for auditing or compliance purposes. In this way, DPP solutions such as Protokol's are enabling textile and apparel brands to track and report the environmental impact of their products. With the EU's upcoming ESPR and Digital Product Passport mandate, how is Protokol enabling fashion and textile businesses to turn existing e-commerce data into compliant DPPs efficiently and at scale? We are aware that gathering product data to create DPPs is often a significant and strenuous undertaking, usually requiring teams to source data from a range of disparate systems prior to even considering standardisation or organisation. At a time when deadlines are closing in, this process is a huge burden on companies that need to begin their ESPR compliance journey. Our integration with Productsup is wholly focused on making this process seamless for their customers, including fashion retailers, who now need to gather their data and implement it into DPPs ahead of the ESPR's DPP mandate coming into force. Productsup allows for direct integration with e-commerce platforms or various other sources, allowing data to be imported into the platform in one smooth and streamlined effort. This data can then be quickly and easily mapped against purpose-built DPP templates to allow companies to create DPPs efficiently and at scale. How are textile and apparel manufacturers leveraging DPPs to boost operational efficiency, sustainability, and traceability in supply chains? Beyond compliance and efficiency with EU regulations, DPPs are unlocking new value for textile and apparel brands. They enable better storytelling by letting consumers scan a data carrier on a product, such as a QR code, and see a garment's journey. By amplifying an item's sustainability credentials, they empower brands to build loyalty by proving their commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. This is particularly important amidst the phenomenon of 'greenwashing' and the challenges businesses also face, beyond regulatory demands, to prove their sustainability pledges at a time when so many are positioning themselves as 'ethical' to increase sales and garner attraction. Moreover, from an operational efficiency standpoint, DPPs streamline data management across the product lifecycle. Traditionally, businesses have struggled with fragmented information systems and manual documentation. In other words, DPPs consolidate key product data—such as material composition, origin, and disposal advice—into one digital format that is accessible in real time to all stakeholders. Are you seeing more demand from large enterprises or mid-size manufacturers? How are adoption patterns varying globally? Although compliance timelines and regulatory requirements vary, both SMEs and large enterprises remain on edge as they navigate the initial steps towards complying with the EU regulation. Off the back of this, it is unsurprising that we are seeing demand coming from both large enterprises and SMEs when it comes to DPP adoption. Patterns of adoption are largely in line with the ESPR's prioritised industries, with textiles being one of the first. We are also seeing interest from other industries where the companies themselves value the DPP use cases beyond compliance, such as sustainability and circularity use cases. Where do you see the manufacturing industry in the next five years, and what role will Protokol play in shaping that future? Over the next five years, the manufacturing industry is poised for a major transformation driven by tightening sustainability regulations, growing consumer demand for transparency, and technological innovation. One of the most significant shifts will be the widespread adoption of DPPs, which will become an important tool for facilitating enhanced circularity of products across a variety of industries. We expect to see an increase in demand for products that are made from more sustainable materials, for manufacturers that utilise more sustainable materials, produce less waste, and have a smaller environmental footprint. Added to this, we also expect to see increased demand for remanufacturing, and for the reuse of components alongside higher rates of product refurbishment and repair. As regulatory frameworks like ESPR become more stringent and expand globally, manufacturers will be compelled to shift from linear production models towards closed-loop systems. This transition will demand digital infrastructure that can ensure data integrity, interoperability, and scalability. With increasing global focus on ESG compliance, how are manufacturers integrating sustainability and transparency into their operations and supply chains? As the EU's circularity movement and varied regulatory demands work their way down to enterprises across industries, manufacturers across sectors are integrating DPPs to give more visibility of products across the value chain for multiple stakeholders. Due to the detailed data DPPs provide, they can support and inform future (more sustainable) design decisions. Via DPPs, sustainability attributes (e.g., carbon footprint, water usage, biodegradability) can be digitally captured and shared from the outset, enabling better product stewardship and circularity across the item's value chain. Furthermore, concerning increased sustainability, DPPs facilitate new, sustainable business models—such as resale, repair, and recycling—by offering stakeholders (such as resellers or consumers) the product data they need to keep materials in use longer. This aligns manufacturers with circular economy goals and reduces their dependence on sourcing new resources. DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of
eNCA
07-06-2025
- eNCA
Prosecutors' pyrrhic victory with Joshlin still missing
CAPE TOWN - It's been just over a week since Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno Van Rhyn were sentenced to life behind bars for the kidnapping and trafficking of Joshlin Smith. The little girl was reported missing on 19 February last year. She has still not been found. This marked a test case in South Africa as the state had no victim to present to court. eNCA reporter Ayesha Ismail sat down with the two prosecutors who secured the three convictions. This as lawyers for some of those convicted, indicate they'll be appealing the sentence. Different criteria are used when deciding on allocating a specific case to a prosecutor. As the National Prosecuting Authorities head for trafficking in persons in the Western Cape, Advocate Zelda Swanepoel was the obvious choice for the Joshlin Smith case. Swanepoel needed a strong team to help her crack this case and included Advocate Heeramun during the trial. Swanepoel said, "H ow Advocate Heeramun became involved because at the time I was her advisor we are in the organised component of the DPPs office and it was the logical choice to include her as part of the team she has dealt with high profile cases in the past and I believed we could make a good team and we brought different virtues and capabilities to the team.' The two prosecutors understood the challenges of not having a victim to testify. Swanepoel explained, "It was the first time that we used trafficking in persons, where a child was sold and had not yet been recovered. There were three other previous reported cases, two in the High Court in Pretoria and one in Pietermartizburg.' Those three cases involved traps or undercover operations. Police were notified of a transaction taking place. A police agent negotiated the sale and the accused were arrested the minute the child was handed over. This was the first case where there was no victim or body to present to court. The focus had to be on the sale of the child. Heermun said, 'We then had to decide on the credibility, on the admissibility, and how to best present it in court." "You have to anticipate every possible angle the defence might come at your case and prepare in fact and in law for those arguments.' Balancing the evidence and the emotions wasn't always easy. VIZ@ the two prosecutors in court Swanepoel says trafficking in persons is the most challenging case to prove in court due to the vulnerability of the victims. She says prosecutors have to be strong for their victims. So, was Joshlin sold to a sangoma by her mother for R20,000 or was she taken to a woman called Ma Kalima by Jacquen Appolis and Steveno Van Rhyn on Kelly Smith's instructions? Swanepoel said, "Our argument is it's irrelevant to whom Joshlin was delivered because that is in fact the only contentious part in the evidence." "It was however, and this is the evidence that the court accepted, that there was an agreement, there was a plan to sell Joshlin, there was an agreement to sell Joshlin, there was even an agreement on the price. All four of the parties, and I include Miss Lombaard, all four of the parties agreed to the selling of Joshlin. All agreed to the benefit they were going to get and the roles they were going to play and that is what the court found .'
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Exports likely to touch $1 trn mark in FY26
New Delhi The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) on Tuesday said the country is projected to reach the export figure of $1 trillion by the end of this fiscal (FY26). This will constitute merchandise exports at $525-535 billion -- a growth of about 12 per cent from last fiscal -- and services exports at $465-475 billion, a growth of nearly 20 per cent. India's export sector achieved a significant milestone in the fiscal year 2024–25, with total exports reaching a record $824.9 billion, marking a 6.01 per cent increase from the previous year's $778.1 exports surged 13.6 per cent to $387.5 billion in FY25, driven by strong performances in IT, business, financial and travel-related exports reached $437.4 billion, with non-petroleum goods exports hitting a record $374.1 billion, up 6 per cent from the previous year. SC Ralhan, President, FIEO, said that to build upon this momentum and achieve sustained growth in both goods and services exports, certain strategies are recommended. 'Expanding into emerging markets and strengthening trade relations with existing partners can mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on specific regions. Also, shifting focus from raw materials to value-added products can increase export earnings and reduce vulnerability to price fluctuations in global commodity markets,' the FIEO recommended. Negotiating and implementing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with key partners can facilitate easier market access and reduce trade barriers, while investing in quality infrastructure, reducing logistics costs, and ensuring compliance with international standards will improve the competitiveness of Indian exports. According to FIEO, providing SMEs with access to finance, and market information will enable them to participate more effectively in international global trade landscape in 2025 is increasingly characterised by a resurgence of protectionist policies, marking a significant shift from the liberalisation trends of previous decades. This protectionism manifests through heightened tariffs, non-tariff barriers (NTBs), and strategic trade measures, impacting global commerce and economic exporters will have to ensure full supply chain traceability—something currently lacking in many traditional sectors like textiles, leather and electronics. 'We request the government to create sector-specific task forces to study DPP requirements and build compliance roadmaps and develop a national framework or digital infrastructure that can help exporters generate DPPs efficiently. The government may also provide assistance or grants to MSMEs to adopt traceability and product lifecycle management systems,' said FIEO.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cascale Talks ESPR at Innovation Forum Sustainable Apparel Event in Amsterdam
Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of policy and public affairs at Cascale, recently took to the stage at Innovation Forum's Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference in Amsterdam to discuss Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and how brands can get ahead of implementation. Carsten Wentink, policy officer at the European Commission, joined her for a conversation moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director at Innovation Forum. Von Reitzenstein noted the significant adaptations that ESPR will require, which will encourage manufacturers and brands to prioritize circularity, transparency, and innovation. She shared key requirements companies must fulfill to comply with ESPR, including proactively integrating eco-design principles, assessing their supply chains, and preparing for Digital Product Passports (DPPs). Von Reitzenstein highlighted the crucial challenges DPPs will present for businesses, particularly those not currently measuring their carbon impact across supply chains. Emphasizing the importance of gathering reliable information from the full scope of suppliers, von Reitzenstein acknowledged the difficulty in collecting comprehensive and accurate data throughout complex global supply chains. She highlighted Cascale's Higg Index tools, exclusively available on Worldly, and how they can support the collection, tracking, and analysis of supply chain data for regulatory compliance. She noted Cascale's continued efforts to support its members along their compliance journeys by providing resources, guidance, and collaborative platforms to navigate the new regulations. Presenting a global perspective, von Reitzenstein emphasized that companies must move beyond compliance to build genuine resilience. She underscored the critical role of education in understanding legislation, highlighting Cascale's 'Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index' webinar series, which explores how Cascale continues to evolve the Higg Index tools to support companies navigating the legislation landscape. She also shared Cascale's ongoing efforts to develop and share resources with its members and Higg Index users to ensure they are well informed and supported in their compliance journeys. Von Reitzenstein reiterated the vital role of industry input, emphasizing the EU's call for businesses to contribute ideas to shape effective eco-design rules and realistic implementation timelines. She reassured members that they are not alone in this journey, as Cascale continues to offer valuable resources and engagement channels for alignment. She also called on the need for collaboration, highlighting the crucial role of industry organizations like Policy Hub — a Cascale ecosystem partner — in uniting the industry's voice to shape the sector's future. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Cascale
Tatler Asia
12-05-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
Is your designer bag verified? The Digital Product Passport is the smart tech redefining authentic luxury
The Digital Product Passport provides rock-solid provenance for luxury goods by tracing their origins, ownership and history with just a scan In a world where luxury is defined not just by craftsmanship but by certainty, a new technology is quietly revolutionising how people engage with their most prized possessions. Enter the Digital Product Passport (DPP), a secure, high-tech ID that proves a product's authenticity, preserves its value and offers smart services long after you've left the boutique. Already implemented in the European Union, the DPP is akin to a digital birth certificate for luxury goods, from limited-edition watches to heritage handbags. The new technology is uniquely linked to each product, via a discreet QR code or NFC chip, which then gives you access to a verified record of its origin, materials, ownership and care history with one scan. Also read: Warren Buffett is stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO. Here are the highlights of his extraordinary career The Digital Product Passport also addresses the pervasive and costly problem of counterfeits. According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, global trade in fake goods reached an estimated US$467 billion in 2021. But DPPs can change the game. By embedding secure digital identities into each piece, luxury brands offer proof of authenticity, tracing an item's journey from workshop to boutique to your hands. Already, top maisons are leading the way. Luxury giants LVMH, Prada Group, Richmont and OTB have joined forces to establish the Aura Blockchain Consortium, which invests in technologies that offer immutable proof of origin and transfer of ownership. Italian menswear brand Zegna uses NFC-tagged passports to provide an ownership certificate for garments in its Vellus Aureum products. Meanwhile, watchmaker Breitling issues DPPs as NFTs, showing complete service and repair history. As well, French furniture maker Ligne Roset embeds unique identifiers in its furniture to ensure every piece is original. The message becomes clear: real luxury now comes with real verification.
