Where do a product’s raw materials come from, on which lands were they produced, and what evidence is available to confirm their deforestation-free and legally compliant origin? Under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), information required includes, among other things, the country of origin, geolocation data for the cultivation or production areas, and details regarding the production period. In addition, product and supplier data are required, as well as any existing reference numbers for due diligence statements. Obtaining this information is particularly time-consuming in complex supply chains. Often, the necessary data is not fully available from the immediate upstream supplier but [...]

1. PFAS: EU-wide restriction continues to take shape The planned universal PFAS restriction under REACH has undergone key procedural steps in 2026. The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) adopted its opinion in March; the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) has also submitted its draft. ECHA generally supports a comprehensive PFAS restriction but provides for targeted exemptions for certain applications. 2. PPWR: PFAS Limit Values Applicable as of August 12, 2026 The new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) – Regulation (EU) 2025/40 – has generally been in effect since August 12, 2026. Of particular relevance to material compliance: as of this [...]

tec4U-Solutions GmbH is one of the leading providers of solutions for meeting product- and company-related sustainability requirements, based in Saarbrücken. We offer data services, software, consulting, and training for manufacturing companies and retailers. We advise and support companies in meeting legal and customer-specific requirements in the areas of material compliance and sustainability. With our products and services, we help companies meet these requirements and environmental regulations and develop sustainable and substance-free products. For our tec4U teams, we are looking for employees who are creative and professional, enjoy learning new things, and ensure our customers’ satisfaction through their high standards of [...]

tec4U-Solutions GmbH is one of the leading providers of solutions for meeting product- and company-related sustainability requirements, based in Saarbrücken. We offer data services, software, consulting, and training for manufacturing companies and retailers. We advise and support companies in meeting legal and customer-specific requirements in the areas of material compliance and sustainability. With our products and services, we help companies meet these requirements and environmental regulations and develop sustainable and substance-free products. For our tec4U teams, we are looking for employees who are creative and professional, enjoy learning new things, and ensure our customers’ satisfaction through their high standards of [...]

With the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR*), the regulation transitioned from a directive to be transposed into national law to directly applicable EU law on August 12, 2026. This establishes technical requirements for packaging that are binding and harmonized across the EU for the first time. For manufacturers, packaging developers, and distributors, this means far-reaching changes throughout the entire product lifecycle. The previous Packaging Directive (94/62/EC) defined targets but left considerable leeway for national implementation. The new Packaging Regulation now contains detailed technical specifications, including on: • Packaging design • Material composition • Recyclability • Conformity assessment [...]

06/29/2026 Saarbrücken-based compliance software expert joins Banyan's permanent home for vertical market software Banyan Software, an acquirer and long-term operator of successful software businesses, is excited to announce the acquisition of tec4U-Solutions, a provider of material compliance software and data services for manufacturers, retailers and product importers. Founded in 2013 in Saarbrücken, tec4U-Solutions has spent more than a decade building one of the most trusted compliance platforms for product data communication and management, DataCross. This high performance data exchange platform helps enterprises meet worldwide ESG and material compliance regulations such as REACH, PFAS, Conflict Minerals, PPWR, EUDR, Eco design, [...]

The DPP is intended to create transparency across the entire product lifecycle—from material composition and carbon footprint to repair and recycling information. Regulatory Status The legal basis for the DPP is found in the ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation), which entered into force in July 2024. As a framework regulation, it will be supplemented in the future by product-specific delegated acts for various product groups (textiles, iron and steel, aluminum, tires, furniture, etc.). In addition, further horizontal requirements, such as the technical representation of the DPP, are established: In addition to the ESPR, there are other EU [...]

In early May, the European Commission published the revised version of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The new regulations provide significant relief for many companies and create greater clarity regarding the implementation of the requirements. Particularly positive is the distinction between first-time placers on the market and downstream operators. Downstream operators will no longer be required to prepare their own due diligence statement. Instead, it will suffice to obtain the reference number of their supplier’s due diligence statement and document it accordingly. For first-time placers on the market, however, the requirements remain unchanged. They must continue to fulfill all [...]

1. REACH: Proposal to Restrict PFAS In recent months, the process for the planned EU-wide restriction of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) has taken further shape. On March 3, the RAC (Committee for Risk Assessment) completed its evaluation of the general proposal to restrict PFAS. The report confirms that a comprehensive re-striction of PFAS is generally considered an appropriate means of reducing environ-mental and health risks. The draft opinion on the PFAS restriction proposal published by the SEAC (Socio-Economic Analysis Committee) on March 26 generally supports a comprehensive PFAS restriction, while acknowledging the need for targeted exemp-tions to ensure the measures [...]

In the market, differing terminology surrounding the so-called product passport and its various forms is causing significant confusion among industry and retailers. The term has been used for years in the contexts of sustainability and the circular economy, but it is not uniformly defined by law. Rather, it describes the concept of providing information in a structured manner throughout a product’s lifecycle. The following article explains what content and requirements lie behind each term and how the “product passport” requirement can be optimally implemented using digital solutions. Definition: Product passport, Digital Product Passport (DPP), and material passport are [...]