A new data standard has been launched to help retailers, brands, and packaging suppliers to meet their EPR obligations.
The standard is designed to make it easier to gather and share data in readiness for new statutory data requirements coming into effect next year.
Open 3P, part of an Innovate UK funded project, the Plastic Packaging Portals (PPP), led by OPRL in collaboration with Open Data Manchester, Dsposal, RECOUP and Ecosurety, a new data standard has been developed which provides a solution to recording and sharing packaging data.
The new statutory reporting requirements will mean obligated producers must provide more detailed data on all packaging they put on the market, which OPRL said makes standardisation of data across the industry ‘vital’.
Launched at the RECOUP Conference, Open 3P’s development was led by CIC Open Data Manchester working with stakeholders from across the packaging value chain.
Julian Tait, CEO and founder of Open Data Manchester, said, “We’ve created Open 3P through a comprehensive user research programme of workshops, interviews and research with industry experts, polymer scientists, policymakers, regulators and potential users. The feedback we’ve had from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive. Open data standards are a vital piece of digital infrastructure and unlock value and innovation across the entire ecosystem.”
Jane Skelton, commercial manager and project manager of the PPP Project, added, “As a former packaging professional at a number of major retailers, I know how challenging getting good quality data on packaging is. That’s why this project is so important and the level of engagement is an indication of how much of a challenge the new EPR regime poses and how willing industry is to support efforts that help them make their packaging more sustainable.”
