Operationalisation of Robust Bio-based and Industrial PEF Tools for Circular Compliance and Eco-Design

Europe’s transition to climate neutrality and a circular economy requires reliable and comparable tools to measure, reduce, and communicate product impacts. The EU’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) provides a common method, but uptake is limited by sectoral gaps, fragmented datasets, technical complexity, and insufficient links to eco-design and compliance. ORBIT responds by creating a six-layered innovation ecosystem to operationalise PEF across textiles, plastics/packaging, chemicals, and ICT/WEEE. It develops adaptive PEF Category Rules using machine learning for faster, iterative updates, and conducts full cradle-to-grave LCAs with socio-economic and end-of-life modelling. A FAIR-compliant data backbone and cloud-based platform automate LCA data flows, integrate ERP/PLM systems, and reduce barriers for SMEs. Explainable AI tools translate footprint results into actionable eco-design choices, while a Digital Product Passport & Compliance Engine ensures automatic alignment with ESPR, REACH, CIRPASS, and Green Claims. Impact will be demonstrated through sectoral pilots showing ≥30% footprint reductions in redesign scenarios. To foster uptake, ORBIT provides multilingual training via the ORBIT Academy, a stakeholder engagement hub, and SME-friendly validation pipelines. By combining leading research, AI specialists, industrial frontrunners, and policy actors, ORBIT will deliver validated, standard-aligned PEF tools and datasets that empower SMEs, accelerate compliance, and strengthen Europe’s global leadership in sustainable product policy and circular economy innovation.