Who will be impacted by digital product passports: furniture industry?
According to European Commission research, the total amount of furniture waste in the EU is 10.78 million tonnes, with furniture waste accounting for over 4% of the municipal solid waste stream. Reuse and recycling is also extremely low in the industry.
As part of broader plans to ensure sustainability, the European Union presented its new circular economy action plan in 2020. Part of these plans is the introduction of new Digital Product Passports (DPPs) affecting among other sectors, the furniture industry.
DPPs are aimed at increasing traceability in the supply chain, improving full product lifecycle management, and promoting reuse and recycling.
The introduction of DPPs will require all levels of the furniture industry supply chain to collect and share detailed information about the environmental impact, materials sourcing, lifecycle, and proper disposal of furniture products.
Furniture will need to meet the EU’s sustainability criteria, and these changes will affect the supply chain in a number of ways, including:
Furniture manufacturers will have to share comprehensive data about the materials used in their furniture. This will include how materials have been sourced, and the environmental impact of their production processes.
Suppliers of the raw materials used in furniture manufacture will have to disclose information on the source and sustainability of their materials. This will ensure ethical sourcing and compliance with EU environmental standards.
Retailers selling furniture will have to make sure that DPPs are transparent and easily accessible to consumers to allow them to make informed decisions.
End-users will benefit from more information and transparency surrounding the environmental impact of the products they buy, making for more informed purchasing decisions.
Digital Product Passport: Furniture timeline
DPP regulations in the EU will come into effect throughout 2026, impacting the furniture industry by 2027.
How to prepare for digital product passports for furniture?
Furniture companies preparing for the rollout of the new circular economy action plan and introduction of DPPs need to focus on a few key areas. They need to:
Designate a dedicated DPP lead or team to oversee the full implementation of DPPs and develop a comprehensive compliance strategy.
Audit current suppliers of raw materials like fabrics and upholstery to ensure they are traceable.
Collect data on the environmental impact of the full catalogue of products offered.
Look for any gaps or inaccuracies in this data and rectify them as soon as possible.
Evaluate technology solutions for DPPs and select a platform that is robust and reliable.
What to look out for in a DPP solution for furniture?
A robust DPP solution for the furniture industry will need to include:
The ability to track and log data from all levels of the supply chain and their various sources, ensuring all information about the furniture lifecycle is accurately captured.
A user-friendly technological platform that allows easy access and data management.
Security features to ensure sensitive company information is safe.
Integration options with current systems and processes to ensure minimal disruption.
Guidance on the complex EU regulations and maintaining compliance.
AuthentifyIt is an all-in-one solution that combines a robust, user-friendly platform with expert guidance on navigating regulations and remaining compliant.
The solution is designed to be easily accessible for stakeholders at every level and ensures compliance is built into the system from the ground up.
Get in touch today for a discovery call.
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