The traditional "catalog-centric" mindset, where a product is viewed merely as a monolithic unit, is reaching its limits in a digitized and sustainable industrial world. While ECLASS has historically evolved around this holistic perspective, today’s shifting regulatory and technical frameworks demand significantly higher data granularity.
The Drivers: ESPR and the Digital Twin
Whether it is regulatory requirements like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) or technological scenarios such as the Digital Twin, breaking products down into their individual components has become essential. It is no longer enough to know that an item exists—we must understand exactly how it is constructed.
Focus on the Circular Economy (R-Scenarios)
Components have become the linchpin for all standard "R-strategies" (Repair, Refurbish, Recycle). A practical example illustrates this relevance: for a recycler to work efficiently at the End of Life (EoL), they need a precise "information anchor." They must know, for instance, that the 3 kg of aluminum in a sofa are located specifically in the feet and what the exact material quality is. This is the only way materials can be selectively recovered and reused.
New Business Models Through Structured Data
Without this level of detail, it is nearly impossible to support new, supplementary business models—such as those in specialized maintenance or the circular economy. Data must be available where value is created (or preserved): at the component level.
The ECLASS Solution: To meet these requirements, ECLASS is currently integrating an expanded structure. This allows for the consistent transmission of in-depth component information, effectively bridging the gap between production, usage, and recycling.
