Who will be impacted by the digital product passport: Construction industry?
According to the European Commission, the construction industry is responsible for around 35% of the EU’s total waste. Emissions from things like material extraction, manufacturing and actual construction works are also estimated to be responsible for up to 12% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
Better material efficiency could reduce up to 80% of these emissions. And, to achieve improved levels of sustainability and promote longer product life cycles, in March 2020 the European Commission put forward a revised circular economy action plan across sectors.
The plan outlines key objectives for the construction sector, including increased supply chain transparency, better documentation of environmental impact, improved traceability of materials, and improved recycling and reuse.
To achieve these goals, the plan details the implementation of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to enhance supply chain transparency and promote the reuse and recycling of construction materials.
By ensuring superior data collection and sharing across all levels of the supply chain, DPPs will support more sustainability in construction.
They will ensure end users have clear information on reuse and recycling and allow developers to make informed choices based on transparent information about the environmental impact of the materials they use.
Here’s who DPPs will impact in the construction sector:
- To increase accountability, manufacturers will have to provide detailed information about the materials and manufacturing processes used in their products.
- Contractors will need to make sure they are using materials with verified DPPs.
- Architects and Civil Engineers will be able to make more informed materials decisions based on the product lifecycle data held in DPPs.
- Building materials suppliers will need to keep accurate records about the source and composition of the materials they sell.
- To support the transition to a circular economy, regulators will be able to use DPPs to enforce compliance with EU sustainability standards.
- The end users of finished construction products will benefit from buildings that have higher environmental performance and lower impact on the planet.
Digital product passport: Construction industry timeline
The EU’s regulations for digital product passports will come into effect over the coming years, starting with batteries in 2026. Studies on the implementation of DPPs for construction have already been conducted and the construction industry can expect the rollout of mandatory DPPs in the next few years.
How to prepare for digital product passports for the construction industry?
To prepare for DPPs, organisations should focus on a few key areas:
- Appointing a designated DPP lead or team to develop a compliance strategy early.
- Gathering accurate materials data to correctly calculate environmental impact.
- Auditing suppliers to make sure raw materials are ethically sourced before DPPs take effect.
- Identifying any gaps or inaccuracies in current data and rectifying where needed.
- Investing in a reliable DPP technology solution to ensure business stays efficient throughout the whole supply chain.
What to look out for in a DPP solution for construction?
Given the complexity and scale of the construction industry’s supply chain, a DPP with security and ease of use at the forefront is essential.
The platform needs to allow for comprehensive data logging and provide standardized access to all stakeholders in the supply chain. It also needs to be EU regulation-compliant and scalable as your business grows.
AuthentifyIt meets these requirements and more. It’s an intuitive platform where every stakeholder in your supply chain can easily log relevant data ensuring you remain compliant.
We’re also experts in the complex EU requirements for DPPs and can provide personalized consultancy and guidance to help you remain compliant and keep your business moving.
Get in touch today for a discovery call and explore how AuthentifyIt can support your business.
