Managing Your Products in Excel Could Threaten Your Company’s Future

The future requirements from both EU legislation and larger key accounts in the textile industry require both large and small companies to think about delivering data. The data points needed are required to showcase a company’s compliance with environmental impact, supply chain mapping, and circularity. 

Many design companies are working with Excel sheets as the primary building source of their products. The Excel sheets consist of measurement charts, detailed drawings, and bill of materials (BOM). Details are input manually in the Excel sheets to ensure that the chosen outsourced suppliers are instructed carefully in the wishes for the products' components and dimensions.

What is the problem? 

An Excel sheet is a static document. Once it's made and sent to a supplier, any updates or changes need to be shared through email or by sending a new Excel sheet. This can lead to misunderstandings and misinformation. To prevent expensive errors, it's crucial to have a clear system in place to make sure suppliers are using the latest Excel sheet or email instructions. But even with a structured collaboration in place, it is not uncommon for design companies to experience issues where samples or, even worse, final products are made with incorrect parts or dimensions because of confusion and missed information.

How EU Compliance demands will make working in Excel unsustainable

New EU legislation and demands from major accounts for data delivery for reporting and documentation will challenge brands that rely on static Excel sheets. Imagine a design company handling 1,200 styles each year, with every style having its own Excel sheet detailing content, measurements, weight, and suppliers. To comply with regulations and the demands for reporting data from key accounts, these 1,200 sheets must be carefully analyzed to produce comprehensive reports. This process raises questions about how feasible it is to manage such a task with basic Excel sheets.

But why the urgency? 

With the EU legislation for the DPP (Digital Product Passport) and the CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) being adopted in December 2023, and the CSRD earlier in 2023, companies in the EU will be met with the requirements already from 2025 and onwards. Even though some of the legislation is directed at the larger companies it is to be expected that a trickle-down effect will happen, resulting in the need for the smaller companies to deliver on the same - with different variables depending on the specific requirements. 

However, the DPP is directed at all companies selling to countries in the EU, which means that for this, companies need to be ready with the required data points. It is expected that the DPP will be implemented in 2026, which means that companies need to spend the better part of 2024 getting ready to deliver. 

These next couple of years will require a major shift in the creation of products

At Delogue PLM, we recognize the urgent need for a significant transformation in the textile industry. The traditional use of Excel sheets is no longer sufficient to meet the evolving demands that companies will face in the coming years. A PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system can aid in product development, ensuring that all products contain the necessary information to comply with various requirements. This includes everything from measurement charts, Bill of Materials (BOM), and supplier details, to care instructions, all consolidated in one place, along with the capability to generate essential reports.

Moreover, a platform like Delogue can support brands right from the early stages of product creation. In the upcoming years, it will be crucial for brands to adopt a new mindset in product development. Products must be designed with circularity in mind, considering supplier and component details from the outset. This shift in approach will require time to adapt to and will call for new working methods.

Delogue PLM is committed to assisting companies on our platform with gathering the necessary data for compliance and reporting. This commitment is a core reason for our existence. We are here to help businesses navigate these changes and ensure they are well-equipped to meet the new challenges ahead.