Session
TU.3.B || Life Cycle Data Supporting Supply Chain Management
Authors
Rehberger, Max; Duque Ciceri, Natalia
Abstract
With resource efficiency and carbon neutrality gaining importance for many stakeholders while value chains for most products are getting more complex and specific, new paths must be entered to fulfill both sustainability and economic criteria. Key drivers are legislative action, customer pull and investor requirements leading to a variety of new aspects both procurement and supply chain management must deal with. In a case study setting from both industrial and consumer products, it is shown what practical challenges companies are facing to provide trustful data along their value chains. A transformative way is depicted on how industry players of different sizes can move from a classical verification approach towards a digitally integrated chain of custody. Harmonized standards and regulation play a major role in setting the ground for a scalable and working ecosystem of stakeholders. Various digital solutions can present an efficient way to managing certification data along supply chains. One key requirement however is validity of data as mostly no direct linkage of the digital system and production is available in an early stage of implementation. Making sure that all data entering the system is correct (Edge verification) is crucial to ensure that a digital tool can really serve the purpose of being an accessible and trusted solution in tackling complexity. For implementing such a system and ensuring compliance to standards, a neutral partner which can cover the overall supply chain scope can speed up the process and add trust. With these preconditions fulfilled a pathway can be entered towards a trusted digital solution starting from an early phase including all intermediate steps and configurations of supply chains. A journey towards Transparency of overall supply chains and traceability on a batch level can thus become reality at an acceptable effort.