In a significant move towards sustainability, Sports Group Denmark and Trimco Group are spearheading a pilot project focused on the Digital Product Passport (DPP), a crucial feature of the European Union’s forthcoming Eco Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
This collaboration seeks to enhance traceability, transparency, and data management throughout the apparel supply chain.
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The initiative builds off shared insights from *Data for Business*, an EU-funded Interreg project led by the Lifestyle & Design Cluster in collaboration with various Nordic partners.
The first phase of the pilot established a trial DPP label for three product styles, manually gathering data from multiple systems to assess interoperability between Trimco’s platform and the brand’s existing tools. The next phase aims to scale the initiative with Trimco’s ProductDNA platform, integrating its Certificate Manager and Product and Digital Manager tools to streamline and expand DPP adoption across different teams.
Throughout the project, Sports Group Denmark gleaned three key insights:
- Data in the Supply Chain: Enhanced capability to locate, connect, and verify data across various production tiers.
- System Integration: Improved connectivity between existing platforms, fostering a more transparent and usable flow of information.
- Strategic Use of DPPs: Recognizing how DPPs can provide valuable insights in a marketplace increasingly focused on sustainability and ethical practices.
Camilla Mjelde, Trimco Group’s sustainability and compliance director, remarked that integrating digital data with physical products is becoming “a critical step for brands navigating regulatory requirements and building trust with their customers.” She noted that the partnership exemplifies how supply chain collaborations can tackle the data challenges posed by ESPR and DPP mandates.
Kristina Vigen, chief sustainability officer at Sports Group Denmark, explained that the project illustrates how data can bolster compliance while generating commercial value. “Our clients increasingly demand access to reliable product data,” she stated, “and pilot projects like this enhance our competitiveness as we prepare for future ESPR mandates.”
A consumer survey conducted during the project revealed that end-users prioritize information about working conditions at production sites, highlighting that transparency not only aids compliance but also fosters customer trust.
Heidi Svane Pedersen, head of digital at the Danish Lifestyle & Design Cluster, asserted, “Data is not merely about compliance; it empowers companies to future-proof their business models, create value in the green transition, and position the Nordics as leaders in transparency and innovation.”
The pilot was showcased during the final *Data for Business* event at the Textile Museum in Borås, Sweden, alongside initiatives from 21 other textile brands.
