Hot Spot UK Call for Information on Digital Product Records

What is it?

The UK Government has launched a call for information (CFI) to gather stakeholder views on digital product records (DPR). The CFI aims to explore whether a UK DPR policy could be used to streamline the provision of a range of product information for businesses, while enhancing transparency and traceability for consumers and Market Surveillance Authorities. They are inviting views on DPRs in general, the impacts of existing DPR policy (for example, on businesses selling into the EU and in Northern Ireland), and what the UK should consider when developing domestic policy on DPRs for goods.

The questions in the CFI are included in the attached document and responses can be submitted online by 21/09/26 by following this link Call for evidence: digital product record policy - GOV.UK

Why is it Important?

Digital product record systems, such as the EU DPP, are intended to store product information in a way that is easily accessible to those who need it. There are several potentially important issues for BVAA members covered within this CFI, some of which are listed below:

• The equivalent EU Digital Product Passport (DPP) will be effective in 2027 enabled by the Ecodesign for sustainable product regulation 2024/1781. Is UK divergence from EU regulations a good idea in the case of digital product data?
• Industrial valves are not yet subject to a dedicated DPP delegated EU act, but valve manufacturers are likely to be affected through related sectors like construction products, iron and steel products, and industrial equipment in the coming years.
• Collection and inclusion of information from material suppliers included in products is likely to be the responsibility of the product manufacturer.
• Product lifecycle data such as full life cycle carbon emissions, spare parts availability, repairability and recycling are likely requirements for data from manufacturers.
• The CFI asks for opinions across industry on adoption of a ‘digital by default` approach to compliance markings.
• IOGP recently completed their Digital Material Passport JIS project in June 24 which introduced similar operator requirements within the oil and gas and zero carbon energy industries.

This CFI is an important opportunity for BVAA members to invest some time to shape UK Government policy on this issue which is likely to have a real influence on future operational costs.

Continuous Improvement - Did we miss anything?

Hot Spots are intended to alert members and provide a brief overview of new standards, activities or procedures that are being introduced in the industry. If there is key information missing that would be helpful, please let us know so that we can improve our future service.

Please Note: This Hotspot is for information purposes, and we invite comments from BVAA members only. Please also note that at time of publication ballots may be closed. For more information, please contact the Secretariat.

BVAA Members: Did you know we have a hotspot tab on the BVAA website? Head over to www.bvaa.org.uk/login-here.asp and log into the member only area. You then need to select ‘Hotspots’ for the latest. For information on how to access the member only area of the website please contact jane@bvaa.org.uk. 

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