- “Um, I will now maybe try to go more systematically through through what you have. You have you have raised there is indeed the issue of storing the data. So I would say, uh, but at the same time, let's face it, I mean, all sorts of company data or data managed by the companies are already for a long time are basically have been moving digital or have been moving towards the cloud. So in that sense, there is no fundamental difference with the, uh, with the, with the, with the DPP. Um. Now from the point of and I think that it is also important to recall that in the Ispr regulation, there is actually a specific obligation. It's a shared responsibility of the Commission and the member States to specifically assist and help SMEs in adopting such a such an initiative. And I think in that sense, this idea of information that is actually presented in a readable way, that is, that is simplifying, that is not overly complex. It's important for the consumers, but it also important in the context of the specific requirements that would be put forward on the companies. So let's let's face it, I mean, there is a quite a direct correlation between the ongoing work, for example, on the first omnibus on sustainability reporting.”
Product passport
- “If we take into account the current technology, but that of course could could change in the future. It could be simply a QR code which would be visible on a product, and that would be a door through which you basically access all types of information related to product information, sustainability information for customers. We'll go in a moment into into greater detail. Um, so in a nutshell, you know, if we take indeed the analogy of a passport, you can call it also a digital identity of a product, which would also, you know, allow really to, to, to, uh, to provide transparency, traceability throughout the whole value chain, which of course became extremely important. We need to be much more aware these days about what's, what's really happening from the point of view of our resilience. Also our, let's say, political interests. European autonomy, etc.. Now let's let's dive now into a more, let's say, practical level. So what what would be inside. So instructions of use. Yes. That's kind of no brainer. Uh that would be information that today, uh, customers normally receive on paper. Uh, in the reality of the single market, it is actually a major impediment, because that means, basically that the producers, uh, have to constantly think in terms of packaging, in terms of, you know, instructions what to put where. I recently had actually heard a story about, you know, uh, pharma company putting some, some, some, uh, um, uh, some, some products in boxes where they got confused, I think Czech with Slovak or, you know, and then basically it led to disposal of these products because there have been hermetically sealed, you know.”
Ecodesign & durability · Sustainable packaging · Product passport
- “Thank you. Thank you very much for, I would say, the interest expressed in this, in this initiative, I also get there is support but definitely conditional. And I think we clearly share your concerns and, and and actually very clear line from your side that obviously that should be of help and simplifying the life of the companies rather than the other way around. And maybe in that context, you know, a kind of a fundamental issue. I mean, we are presenting to you maybe again, this word container, you know, but what the container ultimately is going to include in terms of detailed requirements, information requirements, notably concerning value chain. That obviously is to determine in a specific legislation for different categories of products. You know, for example, about textiles, yes. One has to really get it right, so that we basically raise the bar sufficiently high that we can actually indeed promote the idea of, you know, being clear what is European, what is not European. But at the same time, this cannot be an excessive burden. But this type of details concerning what exactly for a specific group of products, information would be included in DPP. That is indeed on a sort of case by case basis. What is essential and that is what. And I was mentioning that we create a digital infrastructure which is fully interoperable, that basically for every type of for every category of product, we actually are, you know, using the same sort of implementation model.”
Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights) · Ecodesign & durability · Product passport
- “So, uh, well, this is the way that basically, you know, a customer can read the information in his her language is quite really fundamental. Certificate, conformity or certificate. That would be a very important part of the DPP. And then various elements related, as I said, to the to the value chain or supply chain information about carbon footprint, about the origin, it could be more detailed than just just the country composition of a product, information about manufacturing processes, disposal options and reuse options, uh, that are different, you know, elements that would actually be very much relevant to a number of our of our key policy objectives. But let's maybe also look into who would be, let's say involved, who would be affected customs authorities. That would be actually, again, a great enabler for for for for the for for the customs authorities. There is a very important link between the ongoing reform of of customs code, the idea of a data hub, which a completely new way of basically managing customs controls and DPP would play a key element in that. Repairers, market surveillance authorities, uh, you know, as we know in the context of e-commerce, a huge number of I mean, great majority of products coming through e-commerce channels are basically non conformant with EU rules recyclers and consumers, obviously.”
Ecodesign & durability · Circular economy · Product passport
- “Yes. Good morning. Thank you very much, Anna, for inviting us to, to to be able indeed to engage with you on this very important project. I think we have a presentation which I will run. So, uh. Yes. So, uh, before diving into DPP, I simply wanted to give a few sentences of the context, as you are, of course, very well aware. Single market strategy was adopted at the end of May, probably for the first time. We have devoted really a significant, um, attention to to the way various digital tools can be actually enablers to basically move forward with the single market. Uh, it is actually one of very practical ways to rethink, you know, different processes. And really in a, in a, in a very practical, down to earth manner, uh, help the companies, you know, so you see reference to a few initiatives. Maybe it could serve as a teaser for the future, because indeed, today we are going to focus on on DPP. This slide actually, again, I'm not going to to to to mention any details, but basically gives you, let's say, a really a bird's eye view of of different, uh, benefits we can derive from various systems that are already in existence, are being developed in terms of access to finance, public procurement, sustainability reporting, permitting, certification. So you could see all of this basically as a bit of a, I don't know, the plumbing of the of the single market, you know, in, in sort of digital ways. Now going to digital product passport. Uh, so why what it is, you know, so, uh, passport is a catchy name, but, uh, well, it's basically a digital container for various type of data, uh, in, let's say, if I can say in a physical terms or visual terms.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Circular economy · Product passport
- “Now let's say in kind of visual terms. Well, we can imagine that basically, you know uh QR code uh, um, would, would basically on a smartphone, we would use a smartphone that could be a consumer using a smartphone, but could be also a custom official and a and a government official. Um, affected by this could actually would have different uh, screens with the, With the relevant. With relevant information. Now let's let's indeed now reflect more comprehensively about, you know, the the various benefits that this system would, uh, would provide. So clearly it would lead to significant savings. Um, just talking about those instructions with which I started, you know, the studies showed that we could, uh, that could lead basically to 300 million annual savings for businesses, which would not have to provide by default, uh, paper instructions. Uh, also, uh, DPP data can be reused for different reporting mechanisms under EU legislation. And in that sense, you know, make it much easier for the companies, you know, to, to, to to report. Um, I what what actually. We clearly see that this is indeed one of those perhaps small but very important ingredients of indeed making a single market for goods a truly, truly, uh, truly integrated, uh, market with a seamless access to product information. Then the questions of sustainability and circularity. Um, well, of course, you know, uh, at least some customers studies even show that the majority of the customers are ready to pay more, perhaps a bit, perhaps not a lot more, but a bit more for products if they know it's better for the environment.”
Ecodesign & durability · EU Single Market harmonisation · Product passport
- “And that's why actually for us for, for for digit growth, it is indeed, uh, one of really key priorities and probably the biggest priority in the, in the, in the digital area at this stage, other products like toys, construction materials, detergents and textiles will follow shortly. And our intention is indeed, you know, to make sure that we have a consistent rollout of DPP across the single market, uh, across different pieces of, of course, product legislation. And that is the reason why, you know, uh, an option, I would say, under very serious consideration is to introduce horizontal provisions on introduction and use of DPP into the review of new legislative frameworks. That is basically the horizontal legislation governing the the product legislation in Europe. This is basically provided for uh, in the single market strategy to happen in next year. And we are very much going to use basically this vehicle to indeed make sure that we have a consistent rollout of DPP across all harmonized products in the EU. So I think that maybe concludes my presentation. I use maybe the occasion also to to introduce a person to my right, Stefan Maleeva, who basically is joining the Grove as of 1st of July. And, and she will basically lead the team responsible for all the digital tools. Thanks a lot, Ana. And of course, we would be very happy to to hear your opinions, your questions about the process, and we very much count on your support.”
Ecodesign & durability · EU Single Market harmonisation · Product passport
- “And as of course, you all know, many of those elements are now subject of the simplification work and omnibus. So that would ultimately determine the, the the content of the DPP again, which in terms of detail would vary between different product categories. And finally, uh, so as I have said before, uh, in order to make sure that DPP is actually an overarching concept across the market, we want to include it into the NLF. And however and I think that's basically how the whole system is constructed. Food is not part of it, you know? So, uh, that is not, uh, not because this is not part of harmonized product legislation. We basically for that have a completely different area of actually, I'm not an expert in this. I don't want to speculate, but of course, one can argue that something similar perhaps may be also considered in that context. But this this definitely merits a separate Conversation. I would like to maybe just briefly give the floor to. To complement my responses to Alexandra Jones, who is actually the team leader of the team that I would say works day and night about making sure that we have the PPE and that we meet the meet the deadlines. Over to you, Alex.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Product passport
- “There is indeed a lot of learning going on. And one of the ideas that is included in the single market strategy is, can we have some sort of a governance structure at European level, possibly aligned with the with the idea for the customs agency to really, you know, make those, let's say, controls more efficient and effective? Of course, it's not about controlling everything that is not possible, but there has to be that. But it has to be to, to have has to function as a kind of a credible deterrent. And at the end of the day, DPP would make the life of market surveillance and, and, and customs authorities easier because this access to information would be streamlined, the information would be more structured. That is the case today. Uh. Yes, I think that. Let me just. Steel. I'm going through through the questions that have been asked. So. So if you follow me, I mean, DPP as such is not introducing, you know, information, specific information requirements because DPP is indeed about, you know, how to how to manage this information. And so in that sense, DPP could be seen as a tool. How to make the best out of all these, you know, reporting requirements and other information that you the the co-legislator collectively would agree.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Product passport · EU competences on consumer protection and product standards
- “I realize I didn't answer to the fact about the paper instruction available upon demand. This is exactly what what what we have in mind. So by default, you know, great majority of consumers can be fine with the digital format, but indeed there should be exceptions possible.”
Cash as means of payment · Means of payment (cash vs digital) · EU competences on consumer protection and product standards
- “And you know what, at the end of the day, would be included in the TPP, you know, so so I think that that is what we need in that sense. If we look just from a DPP perspective, all these discussions about how to simplify, how to make the how to make the burden proportionate and reasonable. This has to go somehow in tandem, you know. So a robust technical infrastructure for DPP and the substance of of the information that would be included, which again would be regulated by specific legal acts. Um, a number of you very rightly raised the question. It's all great, but who will make sure that the information is reliable? So. Well, indeed, we do have a we do have an issue which we which has been very much, uh, demonstrated by our problems with, with, with e-commerce. That is also that is the reason why, uh, in the context of, uh, single market strategy, we have been actually really stressing the importance of, uh, Reinforcing markets of surveillance across Europe. We are operating in the realm of of 2019 market surveillance regulation, where we have for the first time, a kind of a fairly robust infrastructure for for cooperation at European level, for joint actions. But let's face it, we are at an early stage. It is only in the context of of the action on e-commerce that we will have, for the first time, a large scale so-called priority control actions carried out jointly by customs authorities and market surveillance and, you know, talking to the authorities.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Product passport
- “And again, the idea of having a structured data in a in a easily readable format, which is accessible in a very easy way by consumers, can actually, in that sense, uh, influence consumer uh, choices, digital documentation through uh, that would be, uh, Basically enabled by DPP would also, you know, apart from the cost, would reduce carbon emissions by up to 50,000 tonnes annually. If you compare this to printing, uh, customs. Uh, as I was saying, that is the, uh, that is the very important dimension of a digital product passport. Um, we, uh, and we had these discussions in this committee about the, the, the profound challenge provided by e-commerce. I mean, then basically the obligation on all, um, uh, all economic operators willing to place products on the, on the single market. That that would obviously extend to non-EU producers, uh, manufacturers. And that would give indeed a very easy way to verify whether, you know, this is really conforming to what is being required. Um, Now what in terms of, you know, the process. Uh, what uh. Uh, you might be aware that, you know, indeed, the DPP was first time introduced by the eco design regulation, and this specific regulation would be the first case of mandatory, uh, use for, for and let's say the first case would be mandatory use of DPP for large, uh, batteries. And that would kick in as of February 27th. So, uh, perhaps it's not tomorrow, but indeed, it's the time for getting the whole system of implementation right is quite short.”
Ecodesign & durability · Circular economy · Product passport