The digital nameplate - A push towards a sustainable circular economy
DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies)
Standards. Make. Future. DKE – The German National Committee electrotechnical standardization in IEC, CENELEC and ETSI.
The digital nameplate holds enormous potential for large, small and medium-sized companies as well for our environment. This is affirmed by Dr. Gerold Klotz-Engmann, who actively promotes a comprehensive implementation of the digital nameplate in standardization and in practice.
He shares with us in an interview what advantages an extensive use of digital nameplates has for the economy and environmental protection. One thing is clear: the digital nameplate and other projects such as the digital product passport are an important impulse for sustainable business. And it won't work without international standardization.
DKE: First of all, tell us about yourself. What is your connection to the digital nameplate and standardization? What experience have you gained so far?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: I have been active in international standardization in the field of explosion protection since 1994 and since 2003 I have chaired the CE Marking Working Group and at a later point the Explosion Protection Working Group in ZVEI. In explosion protection, "product marking" is still an important topic today. This is because products used in potentially explosive atmospheres must be labelled with a lot of information which can take up more than half of the nameplate.
At my employer of many years, Endress+Hauser - a leading manufacturer of products for industrial process automation, where Ex instruments are the norm - we constantly struggled with the amount of information we had to include on nameplates. It was especially difficult with smaller products which often provide very limited space on their nameplates. There have been endless discussions on how we can continue to place increasing information on a device in the future.
In recent years, the topic of digitalization and digital nameplates came into play. I took up the topic very quickly because I see it as a great opportunity to better overcome the increasing flood of information on nameplates in the future. Hence it was obvious to me to take over the leadership of the corresponding working groups in the DKE.
Managing the flood of information in a sustainable and resource-efficient way with digital nameplates
DKE: What are the root causes of the problems encountered in the past?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: One of the reasons, from the manufacturer's point of view, is the increasing international requirements for product marking. This applies specifically to the area of explosion protection but can also apply to mechanical engineering or pressure equipment, for example. If a manufacturer wants to market a product globally today, it requires additional markings. For example, the EAC mark within the Eurasian Economic Union, the CCC mark in China or the new UKCA marking in Great Britain as the latest example due to the Brexit.
All this multiplies the information that needs to appear on a nameplate today and the space is therefore no longer sufficient for many products. For this reason alone, they have to be labelled separately for different markets and distributed as product variants. This segmentation leads to additional complexity for both the manufacturer and the customer and increases costs.
The digital nameplate is of course very helpful for this problem thanks to its data storage in a QR code, in an RFID chip or in the firmware. In this way, much more information can be displayed.
Now, if we think of the online nameplate, it also makes it possible to directly access a server where unlimited information is available in the so-called "administration shell". This would be extremely helpful for manufacturers and operators.
DKE: It is evident that the digital nameplate offers many advantages from the perspective of companies and users. What is the outlook regarding ecological topics such as circular economy? This is a very hot topic at the moment. How can the digital nameplate promote the circular economy and thus environmental protection and resource conservation?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: Today, the distribution of products is often accompanied by a lot of paper documents. This leads to shrinking forests and harms nature. Often, the documentation is even bigger and heavier than the products themselves. This increases transport costs and energy consumption including CO2 emissions that exacerbates climate change.
For this reason, the digital nameplate is very helpful for getting started with digital product documentation. I'm talking here, for example, about operating instructions, certificates and safety instructions. In the future, we will be able to make all of this available online very easily and quickly with the digital nameplate. This also helps the operator, who can access the right documentation very quickly and easily and thus save a lot of time and money.
The digital nameplate also facilitates spare parts management, making repairs easier and faster. This can make repairs more economical than replacements, which leads to longer product life cycles and thus supports the circular economy.
In addition to saving paper and transport costs, the carbon footprint of a product will also be a topic for the digital nameplate in the future. This means that we will also be able to provide support in the reduction of CO2 emissions in the future.
Ultimately, the industry can do a lot to mitigate climate change and move towards sustainability.
DKE: And what about energy? Paper and similar resources can be reduced, and CO2 emissions minimized through less transport. However, digital products and digitalization are always associated with energy consumption. To what extent is this the case for digital nameplates?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: The energy consumption to produce a QR code, for example, is comparable to a conventional nameplate. You won't need any more energy than before. Of course, when we talk about online access, you have an internet connection and a server which has to be operated. Surely there is also hardware which needs power. However, this already exists in the world today and is available one way or another. Moreover, I think the savings we can achieve through digitalization will far outweigh the additional costs due to energy consumption.
The digital nameplate promises great benefits with little effort
DKE: Does a company have to fulfill special technical or other requirements in order to create and use digital nameplates?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: The digital nameplate can be produced today with simple tools. For example, an ordinary high-quality laser printer is suitable for creating a QR code. Many companies already use QR codes on their nameplates and the associated effort is very reasonable.
Today, programing an RFID chip is no longer a major technical challenge. An RFID programmer device is partly already available on the market for less than 100 euros. These costs involved are certainly not that high. Hence, there are no major technical requirements to use or create a digital nameplate.
Of course, the conversion of the entire production processes to digital nameplates translates into additional expenses. These are one-off investments which must be made. They relate, for example, to the specification of the digital nameplate, the adaptation of the product documentation, order structure, price lists and the production facilities. Adjustments must also be made in SAP and employees must receive training. The conversion to digital nameplates can cost a medium-sized company several hundred thousand euros. However, this is only a one-off investment.
In this respect, changing the manufacturing processes initially costs money. However, as far as the digital nameplate itself is concerned, the manufacturing costs are very manageable. Even if, for example, you put a QR code on an additional label, that is in the order of a few euros. A programmed RFID chip would cost ten euros at the most. These are not excessive costs or requirements that need to be met. Part of the costs would be offset again if the conventional nameplate is not required in the future.
Everyone benefits - large companies and SMEs
DKE: Would you agree with the low entry barrier also from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises? Even if the costs for the conversion to digital nameplates are only one-off, the sum can still be high for SMEs, which often lack such resources. It is however important that all economic actors can contribute equally especially when it comes to the topic of circular economy and sustainability.
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: I can only speak from the perspective of a medium-sized company, and in our case, we have already implemented the digital nameplate. The resources required are kept within reasonable limits.
It can be assumed that for a medium-sized company with about 5000 employees, the introduction of the digital nameplate will take about six months to a year. That translates into about 200 man-days. That is a rough guideline that can be used as a reference.
A medium-sized company as well as a smaller company can handle something like this. Of course, the effort involved is also lower because the logistics and processes are much simpler. Therefore, I think that it is no problem for SMEs to realize the corresponding implementation in the future.
It just won't work without standardization
DKE: Were certain norms and standards used in your company during the conversion to digital nameplates?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: Yes. In Germany we have currently two standards. On the one hand, there is DIN SPEC 91406. This specification defines a character string in a 2D code or RFID chip that enables globally unique product identification in an URL format. If this character string, known as "AutoID", represents a genuine internet link, it can also be used to access a lot of product information online. The AutoID must be attached to the product as additional identification, and was also the basis for the implementation process in our company.
On the other hand, there is DIN VDE V170 Part 100, which describes the digital nameplate or "offline" nameplate, as it is often called lately. Here, except for graphic symbols, all nameplate information is stored in the 2D code, the RFID chip or the product firmware and can be displayed in text form offline with a standard reader or through the device′s display without an internet connection. In addition, the digital code contains the above-mentioned "AutoID" so that online access to product data is also possible. This type of identification could replace conventional nameplates in the long term, as all nameplate information is permanently linked to the product and permanently available offline.
DKE: In your opinion, what else would have to be done additionally for digital nameplates to be adopted across the board? What measures, for example at the political level, are needed to achieve international application?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: In principle the digital nameplate can already be used in Germany as an additional marking. However, it must be standardized internationally so that products with the digital nameplate can be marketed worldwide.
The full benefits of the digital nameplate will unfold when legislators and regulators agree that the conventional nameplate is no longer necessary.
This can be suggested by standardization organizations and associations, for example at the European Commission or IEC Ex.
DKE: In this context, people often talk about IEC 61406 or IEC 63365. What is the role of these International Standards?
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Dr. Klotz-Engmann: International standardization plays a key role for the digital nameplate. Today, products are usually marketed worldwide. Standardization must therefore ensure that the same digital format is used globally. The focus of standardization is on IEC 61406 and IEC 63365, which are currently under preparation.
IEC 61406 defines the "Identification Link", which is based on DIN SPEC 91406, also known as the "online" nameplate. IEC 63365 describes the digital nameplate, which is based on DIN VDE V 0170-100 and is also known as the "offline" nameplate.
Risks must be considered in the decision-making process from the very beginning
DKE: The digital nameplate as product ID always requires a functioning internet connection. But what happens if there is no internet connection at a given time?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: This is a critical point that is often mentioned. Although you can clearly identify a product with the "AutoID" or the "Identification Link", online access to nameplate or product data is not possible without internet. Therefore, an "online" nameplate can basically only be used in combination with a conventional nameplate.
However, if we consider the digital nameplate or "offline" nameplate according to IEC 63365, all nameplate information including manufacturer, product name, serial number and all legal normative approvals are available offline in the digital code. The nameplate can then be displayed as a text file without an internet connection using a 2D scanner or RFID reader or through the product′s display.
DKE: Can the digital nameplate according to IEC 63365 be considered the preferred variant for this reason?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: In principle, yes. Especially since this variant also contains the identification link. That means you would have both options. On the one hand, online access to product information, for example to the administration shell, is possible. On the other hand, if no internet connection is available, the legal and normative markings can be read offline.
IEC 63365 is much more universal from this point of view but also requires larger memory storage due to the larger amount of data. This means that the QR code, for example, is usually larger than in DIN SPEC 91406.
DKE: In addition to the risks and framework conditions already mentioned and which need to be considered, there is another risk factor: cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks are known to be increasing in the course of digitalization. Is the digital nameplate also affected by this risk?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: In terms of cybercrime, for example, the QR code which the manufacturer places on its product can hardly be manipulated. It could be pasted over with a fake link by a saboteur but that can also happen with any conventional nameplate. The situation is different with web servers that are accessed by the online nameplate. These must obviously be protected accordingly by the manufacturer.
Factoring in environmental protection - with norms and standards from digital nameplates to digital product passports
DKE: We have already talked about implemented standardization work and existing standards for the digital nameplate. What is the current status of standardization work concerning the digital nameplate? Are further projects planned?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: We have three things. Firstly, there are the German standards DIN SPEC 91406 and DIN VDE V 0170 Part 100. The former has already been published in 2019 and the latter, a norm for the digital nameplate, in spring 2021.
Furthermore, there are the international standardization projects IEC 63365 and IEC 61406, which have started last year and are now at the Committee draft for vote (CDV) stage. Both standardization projects are also led by German experts and the standards are expected to be published in 2023.
Finally, the digital product passport should be mentioned. This was initiated through the European Commission in 2021. At this point, I would like to emphasize in particular the contribution of DKE and ZVEI, which have done good preliminary groundwork on ongoing standardization work.
DKE: Are topics such as sustainability and circular economy also included in these ongoing standardization projects?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: One aspect that plays an important role is the product carbon footprint, which will be included in the product passport in the future. This is relevant when it comes to pollutants, CO2 emissions and consumption. These things can be made transparent through these projects. Moreover, this helps to manufacture products in the future in such a way that sustainability and lower CO2 consumption are taken into account.
DKE: We are still at the beginning of the development. Is it, however, already possible to quantify or improve certain aspects, such as the recycling rate, by means of such passports considering the context of the increasing demand for sustainability?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: The effort that an operator has today in identifying a product and assigning the corresponding information and documentation is immense. This starts with purchase and continues with installation, commissioning, maintenance and testing, right up to decommissioning and disposal of the equipment. In this context, the digital passport can simplify the registration of pollutants in waste management, improve the quantification of recycling rates and thus support the circular economy.
International standardization and consensus at all levels are crucial
DKE: How would you rate standardization work and your experience regarding topics such as digitalization and the digital nameplate?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: In principle, standardization is essential for things that need to be harmonized worldwide.
In my view, this also applies to the digital nameplate. It is important that standardization leads to the implementation of a uniform format on an international level. Only then we can distribute products with the digital nameplate effectively and economically worldwide. If every country develops its own standard, the project would be doomed to failure.
I consider the work of DKE and IEC in the field of standardization to be essential. I hope that we will manage to bring the two standards IEC 63365 and IEC 61406 to a successful conclusion on the international stage. This can clear the way for manufacturers to implement the digital marking of products in the future.
DKE: In your opinion, what does the future of the digital nameplate look like? What are your expectations?
Dr. Klotz-Engmann: From my point of view, it would be very important that not only the standardization work concerning the digital nameplate progresses, but also that the regulators cooperate.
Today, most standards and EU Directives still require products to be labelled with a plain text nameplate. Therefore, the legislator must also be more involved in the future in order to recognize the digital nameplate as an alternative to the conventional nameplate.
The digital product passport from the European Commission is a step in the right direction. There is also initial progress in product standardization, for example in Ex-standardization, in which I actively participate.
The next edition of the draft standard containing general provisions for explosion protection will already include the digital nameplate according to IEC 63365 and IEC 61406. As soon as this standard is published, we will be able to apply the very comprehensive Ex marking digitally in the future, which is still required in plain text today.
The wish now is that regulators worldwide take up this issue in the future. I believe that regulators cannot refuse to do so in the long run with regard to digitalization, which has become a very important topic internationally.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the colleagues in ZVEI and DKE who have been actively involved in the standardization work of the digital nameplate.
DKE: Dr. Klotz-Engmann, thank you very much for the interview!
We would like to thank for this interview:
Dr. Gerold Klotz-Engmann, national and international standardization expert in the field of explosion protection since 1994, former head of the WG CE marking and WG Explosion protection in ZVEI.