This is a guest opinion post by Dr Phil Brown from Circularise, where he is VP of Business Development & Strategy
The world is in crisis as the increasing global population has strained the limits of what our planet can sustainably offer and renew. Without thinking about sustainability, the ability to fulfil the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, we risk depleting valuable resources, irreparably damaging our environment, and endangering our very future. Other than the changing attitudes of consumers and forward-thinking businesses, here are also some of the relevant regulations coming into place:
- Construction Products Regulation: proposed in 2022
- EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles: implemented in 2022
- EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products: first adoption in 2024
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): to be implemented in 2024
- New EU Battery Regulation: to be implemented in 2026
- Critical Raw Material Act: first drafts due in the first quarter of 2023
There are also major updates to a host of existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and other directives whereby traceability is a key focus area such as:
- Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
- End-of-life Vehicles Directive
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) & Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
- Conflict Minerals Regulation: to be reviewed in 2023
We can no longer ignore the pressing issues at hand. Our ability to achieve sustainability depends significantly on our ability to work together to reduce waste and environmental impacts, maximise efficiency, and to also ensure ethical practices that do not infringe upon other humans, land rights or the natural ecosystems and biosphere.
Digital product passports and blockchain could play major roles in creating a more sustainable future. Together, they offer a compelling solution to add more visibility, trust and knowledge of complex material flows…
