EU’s digital passports: chemistry without clarity

YORK –  The Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is overarching EU legislation and, as part of this, EU-based manufacturers or EU-based importers will have to complete a Digital Product Passport (DPP), which includes information such as details of production routes, water and energy use, and carbon footprint, as well as product durability and ‘Substances of Concern’ (SoC). But will the EU Digital Product Passport provide scrutiny and control of chemicals, or is it missing something very important?

Do the authorities genuinely believe that irresponsible chemical formulators, manufacturers and brands are going to suddenly develop a conscience and declare the lead, phthalates, cadmium and Chrome VI, that’s routinely discovered by current market surveillance, on a DPP?