EU rules, digitalisation hinders BD’s export traceability

Business Report :

Lack of awareness about circular supply chains, the latest EU regulations, and digitalisation-particularly among small and medium-sized factories-remains a key hurdle in ensuring traceability of Bangladesh’s exportable goods, an Italian brand representative has said.

“Most of our suppliers don’t know what traceability is, while lots of suppliers lack awareness of supply chain circularity,” Abdul Quaium, sustainability manager of OVS said.

Other major challenges included the absence of knowledge about the latest European Union (EU) regulations, including Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Digital Product Passport (DPP), he said while speaking at a seminar titled “EU Trade Forum: Spotlight on the Digital Product Passport” held on Monday at a city hotel.

The day-long seminar was jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the German Development Agency GIZ, aiming to create a shared understanding of the DPP and assess Bangladesh’s preparedness to align its export sectors with the EU’s ESPR, says a press release.

Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh, stated, “DPP is an important tool for maintaining the traceability and transparency of a product.”

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman spoke as the chief guest at the opening session of the seminar. He said, “This type of technology-driven event has been organised in Bangladesh for the first time.