Supply chain data and textile specialist, Trimco Group, has introduced the new Packaging Manager module as part of its supply chain traceability platform, ProductDNA®. Featuring automated packaging reports for multi-country EPR requirements, the new feature will relieve brands from the gruelling workload of manually collecting, handling and presenting their data to comply with new legislation.
Keeping up and complying with the stream of new regulations on production and packaging, including the 2022 UK Packaging Waste Regulations, is one of the key factors hindering the progress of a brand’s sustainability strategy today. Trimco Group has developed the new Packaging Manager module within its ProductDNA® platform to respond to this ever-changing environment, supporting the company’s already significant work within expert consulting on EPR signage.
How does it work?
ProductDNA® features four modules, each designed to facilitate a brand’s sustainability goals. The Certificate Manager helps brands monitor environmental and social compliance. The Product Manager provides in-depth insights at the material level, crucial for responsible sourcing and an essential tool for validating weight-based claims. The Digital Manager involves the use of QR codes to be more transparent to consumers. It also includes PaaS options, connecting with the consumer via a product’s digital ecosystem. The fourth and latest module, the Packaging Manager, is in response to rising international packaging and waste regulations increasing the urgency for brands to monitor and reach EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) objectives to reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste.
The Packaging Manager focuses on EPR compliance. It features automated packaging reports for international EPR requirements, complementing Trimco’s expertise within signage compliance advice. The Packaging Manager helps brands capture the full details of all packaging used on their products, from material composition and certificates to recyclability and biodegradation details. This provides full visibility for the brand to manage and declare the packaging details for each of its products. It is also helps brands to understand their environmental impact baseline, enabling them to monitor and measure the effect of each packaging decision they make through their sustainability journey.
Why now?
With the introduction of new regulations, packaging and end of life financial responsibilities are switching from the public sector to brands. EPR schemes for textile packaging are rapidly being introduced globally to ensure that brands take responsibility for the collecting, sorting and recycling of their packaging and to reduce the vast quantities of waste filling landfills.
It is a substantial task for brands today to have the resources and know-how to combine these legislations. From the TRIMAN Logo and the Italian Material identification guidelines to the American ASTM setup, and now the new UK Packaging Waste Regulations. With this new module, Trimco can advise brands which regulations apply to which market. It can also provide proposals for packaging and tags that comply with these regulations. The data gathered with the help of the Manager is then customized into comprehensive reports that comply with the EPR schemes associated with a brand’s manufacturing and sales territories.
The complex global network of legislation means that reporting requirements differ from one country to the next. The challenge is to accurately compile reports for the different types of packaging for products sold into markets with differing regulations. Product-DNA®’s Packaging Manager streamlines this, taking the burden away from the brand and making the switch to a digital, circular and sustainable supply chain quick and accessible.
Commenting on a recent partnership with Trimco’s Packaging Manager is Vanessa Barber, Head of Product from outdoor apparel retailer TOG24.
“We are thrilled with our partnership with Trimco Group and the opportunity to utilize their ProductDNA® Packaging Manager. Since expanding our reach into ecommerce platforms and international wholesale partners, our EPR reporting requirements have increased dramatically. Working with Trimco, they have been able to develop a tailor-made Packaging Manager that streamlines our supply chain and uses data for positive change by collecting all the EPR information and automating our packaging declarations. We’re passed the development stage, and with a solution ready to be implemented, we can’t wait to see the results.”
What is the impact?
Traceability and transparency encompass the entire lifecycle of a product: from raw materials to packaging and finally to its end of life solutions. With increasing legislation determining how brands must package and sign their products, the stakes are high and the requirements can be complex. Digital technologies such as Trimco’s ProductDNA® streamline all stages of a product’s life cycle to implement, monitor and achieve a brand’s sustainability goals, all the while complying with international regulations.
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