About the Project
Renewable energy technologies (RET) and information and communication technologies (ICT) are playing a vital role in the transition to a digitalised and zero emission Europe. However, raw materials used to manufacture these technologies include those that the European Union classes as ‘critical’, meaning these materials are vital to the economy, but also that their supply is at risk because they are sourced from conflict zones or are largely controlled by one or just a few countries.
Russia, for example, accounts for over 40% of the world’s palladium production. Changes in geopolitical situations, such as the war in Ukraine can severely damage the value chain of critical raw materials. The European Union wishes to increase its control over the supply of these and one way of doing this is to focus on those already contained in products being used in Europe.
To address these challenges, the European Commission is preparing the general requirements for the establishment of digital product passports (DPP). These passports will share information from across the value chain, from raw materials through design and production to reuse and recycling.
The Circular Economy Resource Information System (CE-RISE) project aims to create an information system and integrate digital product passports, that will share detailed information on electronic products.
CE-RISE will develop the system to provide stakeholders, including consumers, with a better understanding of the green credentials of electronic products and how to preserve important raw materials through the reuse, repair and recycling of these items.
“In addition to facilitate more efficient recycling and reuse of the materials during production, these passports will also make it easier for consumers to compare the social impacts of different products. When you can check for yourself if this kind of electronic gadget has a better environmental and ethical footprint than that kind of gadget, it is easier to make a sustainable choice.”
– Golnoush Abbasi, CE-RISE project coordinator