Sustainability Although regulation is essential, inconsistency and uncertainty


surrounding legislation can actively hold sustainability progress back. We’re seeing this now, with discussions and delays surrounding initiatives like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Te constant back and forth of simplifications, postponements and political debates creates a regulatory soap opera. Te risk with this is that companies will wait, rather than act,


in the hopes that requirements will be postponed, simplified or cancelled altogether. Tis uncertainty and lack of confidence in the legislative process undermine it and, by extension, the political commitment behind it. If regulation is to drive real change, it then must be stable, predictable and consistently applied.


The Digital Product Passport, Ecodesign and the move toward circularity Looking ahead, the introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) may prove to be the most important sustainability development of the current decade. One of the biggest challenges in compliance is enforcement. Too many companies are getting away with non-compliant offerings and greenwashing due to limited capacity in market surveillance by authorities. Tis not only applies to well-known overseas marketplaces, but also to EU- based companies. Te DPP has the potential to change this by making key product


information digitally accessible – such as materials, energy-use, certifications, reparability, compliance documentation and carbon footprint. Tis will allow for better market surveillance and greater transparency. And just as energy labels have successfully shiſted the demand for more energy-efficient appliances, the DPP could influence purchasing behaviour by making sustainability easier to understand and compare. It may also unlock new business models that support the circular economy – from refurbishment to repair services and secondary markets. Te Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is


another critical step in moving the channel towards a circular economy. Many of today’s products are designed to look good and have shorter-term cost-effectiveness. Tis is oſten at the expense of durability, repairability and recyclability. Hidden screws, glued components, sealed batteries and constructions that cannot be opened without destroying the product make repairing and effective recycling almost impossible. ESPR, along with other related regulations – like the Battery


Regulation and the Right to Repair initiatives – will push manufacturers to rethink these design choices. Designing products to be easier to repair, disassemble and recycle from the start is not only better for the environment, but also keeps costs down and reduces future expenses. Ultimately, sustainability is most effective when it is designed in – not just added on later.


Sustainability as a commercial requirement Troughout the channel, more sellers are developing structured sustainability roadmaps – beyond only improving internal operations. Increasingly, it is about offering products with a lower carbon footprint, and that helps buyers to meet their own


www.pcr-online.biz


sustainability targets. Tis shiſt is being driven by procurement as more tenders now include sustainability requirements, particularly in B2B and public-sector contexts. Once large organisations embed these criteria, they quickly become


the new standard for the wider market. And transparency plays a critical role here as customers want partners who can support their sustainability goals with credible data, reporting and long-term alignment. Tis makes sustainability no longer just a product feature, but a relationship requirement as a result. Yet, one of the most persistent myths about sustainability is that


it comes at a higher cost. However, that is not necessarily true, as sustainable design and efficiency improvements oſten go hand in hand. An example of this is shown in packaging optimisation. Additionally, when products are designed to be easier to repair, everyone benefits – consumers, service teams and manufacturers. Tese aren’t complex or even expensive changes, but are typically overlooked. Some sustainability goals are simply a matter of thinking ahead,


while others are about scale. While recycled materials or more efficient components may initially cost more, increasing volumes reduces the price over time. And as more products continue to use recycled plastics, the cost of those materials decreases, enabling even wider adoption. Looking forward to 2026 and beyond, preparation is essential.


Coming regulations – such as ESPR and the introduction of the DPP – will fundamentally change how companies design products and communicate with customers. Tis will mean applying Ecodesign guidelines to current product development projects and collecting data needed to meet future information requirements. For example, the use of future-proof QR codes on packaging will link to the online product DPP when made available. Supply-chain collaboration is equally important. With


greenwashing practices under increased scrutiny, third-party certifications will play a vital role. Standards like the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) help verify recycled content, while the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ensures responsible sourcing of paper and wood-based materials. When looking at the product lifecycle, manufacturing oſten has


the largest environmental impact. In the case of Trust International, it accounts for about 60 per cent of our total product footprint. Tis is why choosing the right materials is such an important starting point, such as using recycled plastics and renewable materials where technically and economically feasible is an important first step, for example. However, the next challenge will be to reduce the impact of other materials, which are more difficult to decarbonise – particularly metals. Yet, the most overlooked aspect of sustainability is mindset. Too


many companies still see it as a burden – it being too complex, costly and difficult. Instead, it should be seen as an opportunity, as sustainability and efficiency oſten reinforce each other. Ultimately, when sustainability is embedded into design, by sourcing operations from the beginning, it creates value rather than cost. And as regulations tighten and the need for transparency increases, those who recognise this early will not only comply, but lead. Te channel is entering a new phase, with sustainability no


longer optional or separate from commercial success. Terefore, the businesses that understand this will help define the future of the technology industry.


January/February 2026 | 25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52