Redefining Sustainability: The Power of Digital Product Passports

(un)Trustables

Guest:

Dr. Susanne Guth-Orlowski is an external technical Advisor of the Global Battery Alliance and the European Commission on digital product passports, mother of the decentralized digital product passport implementation, founder of the consulting company 4TheRecord, SSI expert, author, moderator, podcaster and speaker. Her background is in security technology, and she has 20 years of hands-on technical experience in cryptography. Today, Dr. Guth-Orlowski is consulting companies and non-profit organizations on defining IT-Security services and standards and bringing them to market. She firmly believes that technology based on open standards can help reach the climate goals. She is currently engaged in defining the technical concepts for a digital, decentralized product passport to enable better product repair, reuse, and recycling.

In this episode of the (un)Trustables Podcast, Darrell O'Donnell talks with Dr. Susanne Guth-Orlowski about the crucial role of digital product passports (DPPs) in sustainable supply chain management. Dr. Guth-Orlowski, an advisor to the Global Battery Alliance and the European Commission, delves into the intricacies of DPPs, the push for decentralization in the European Union's approach, and the broader implications for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Origin and Role of Digital Product Passports (DPPs): Dr. Guth-Orlowski discusses the concept of DPPs, emphasizing that while she didn't coin the term, she played a significant role in shaping its decentralized implementation. The European Commission introduced the term in their battery regulation, and it's also gaining prominence in other regulations​​.
2. Decentralization in Digital Product Passport Implementation: The episode highlights the unique approach of the European Commission in decentralizing DPPs. This approach contrasts with typical centralization tendencies, allowing stakeholders to maintain control over their data and making the system more inclusive and accessible​​.
3. Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: The discussion touches on the importance of sustainability in business and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects. Dr. Guth-Orlowski points out the need for quality data to support ESG efforts and improve its reputation, especially in regions where it's viewed skeptically​​.
4. Role of Global Battery Alliance (GBA): The episode covers the activities and focus of the GBA. It clarifies that GBA's approach is not centred on carbon credits but on setting rigorous standards and fostering sustainable practices within the battery industry​​.
5. Technology and Blockchain in DPPs: Dr. Guth-Orlowski discusses the technological aspects, particularly blockchain, and its role in implementing DPPs. She acknowledges the challenges and complexities of using blockchain, advocating for simpler and less complex solutions like decentralized identities​​.
6. Regulatory Compliance and Reporting Challenges: The conversation sheds light on the increasing complexity and cost of regulatory compliance. Dr. Guth-Orlowski underscores the need for solutions that balance production and reporting requirements without overburdening companies​​.
7. Adoption of Standards and the Need for Scores: The episode explores the importance of adopting various standards and scoring systems to aid decision-making and transparency in the supply chain. It emphasizes the need for fast, trustworthy decision-making tools in sustainable practices.

Dr. Guth-Orlowski’s insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the critical role of digital product passports in fostering sustainable supply chains. The discussion highlights the need for transparent, decentralized, and technology-enabled solutions to address the global challenges in achieving sustainable and responsible business practices.

Additional Resources:

• Papers and work by Dr. Susanne Guth-Orlowski on digital product passports
  • Dr. Susanne Guth-Orlowski on Medium
    • The digital product passport and its technical implementation
    • The world’s first decentralized, verifiable Battery Passport
• The Global Battery Alliance (GBA) is a public-private collaboration platform founded in 2017 at the World Economic Forum to help establish a sustainable battery value chain by 2030.
  • Battery Passport
  • Battery Passport Pilot
• Cole Davis - did:webs Task Force
  • Switchchord demo - 06:33 mark
• Towards Sustainable Mining Initiative
• Dr. Susanne Guth-Orlowski LinkedIn