Question 1

Can a distributor with a large, complex catalog use the Assent Distributor Experience?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Assent Network is built for catalogs with tens or even hundreds of thousands of products, including parts with multiple product numbers or overlapping numbering schemes across manufacturers. AI helps bulk import products and existing declarations, and Assent&#8217;s team supports the mapping, so the data transformation work doesn&#8217;t fall on you.

Question 2

How is proprietary product, customer, and supplier data protected in the Assent Network?

Accepted Answer

Your data is never shared with other customers or exposed publicly. Requests and responses flow only between companies with an established business relationship, and you control what&#8217;s shared with your customers. Assent maintains enterprise-grade security controls to protect data in transit and at rest.

Question 3

How does the Assent Network help get data from unresponsive suppliers?

Accepted Answer

The Assent Network sends structured requests, tracks response status, and escalates when suppliers don&#8217;t reply. Assent&#8217;s Global Supplier Support team also works directly with suppliers in 12 languages, helping them understand the regulations and why the data matters. Supplier data shared in the network can be reused across multiple requests, which lightens the load on suppliers over time.

Question 4

What happens when a customer uses their own part numbers?

Accepted Answer

The system uses AI to suggest matches between customer part IDs and your catalog, with confidence levels to help you decide. Once you approve a match, it&#8217;s stored and applied automatically going forward. If you&#8217;ve already built cross-reference lists for key customers, you can bulk upload them so the work isn&#8217;t wasted.

Question 5

What is extended producer responsibility (EPR)?

Accepted Answer

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory framework that makes producers responsible for the environmental impact of their products and packaging throughout the product life cycle, including collection, recycling, and disposal.Under EPR laws, manufacturers, brand owners, importers, and packaging producers may be required to finance recycling programs, submit packaging reports, track material usage, and meet recovery or recycling targets.In the U.S., EPR regulations are expanding at the state level, particularly for packaging materials. Because requirements vary between jurisdictions, companies often need detailed visibility into packaging composition, material weights, and supply chain data to maintain compliance.

Question 6

Why is EPR compliance becoming more difficult?

Accepted Answer

EPR compliance is becoming more complex because regulations are expanding rapidly across jurisdictions while reporting requirements are becoming more detailed.Many manufacturers must now manage multiple EPR obligations simultaneously, each with different:Reporting deadlinesPackaging definitionsFee structuresData formatsMaterial categoriesThreshold requirementsAt the same time, packaging and supplier data is often inconsistent or incomplete. Organizations relying on spreadsheets, email-based supplier outreach, or disconnected compliance systems may struggle to scale reporting processes effectively.As EPR enforcement increases, companies face growing pressure to improve data accuracy, supplier engagement, and audit readiness.

Question 7

What data do you need for EPR compliance?

Accepted Answer

Most EPR compliance requirements depend on accurate packaging and product data. Companies may need to collect and validate information such as:Packaging material compositionPrimary, secondary, and tertiary packaging typesPackaging weightsRecycled content percentagesProduct quantities sold or distributedSupplier declarationsCountry or state-specific market dataBecause this information often originates from suppliers, manufacturers frequently need structured supplier engagement processes to support reliable EPR reporting.Without centralized data management, companies may experience reporting inconsistencies, compliance gaps, and increased administrative burden.

Question 8

How do I report compliance under EPR laws?

Accepted Answer

Companies typically report under EPR laws by submitting required packaging and product information through government reporting portals or producer responsibility organizations.The reporting process often includes:Collecting supplier packaging data.Validating material information.Classifying packaging according to jurisdiction-specific rules.Calculating packaging volumes or weights.Submitting reports within required deadlines.Maintaining audit-ready documentation.Many organizations are adopting EPR data management software to streamline these workflows and improve reporting accuracy across multiple jurisdictions.

Question 9

What are the biggest EPR compliance challenges for manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

One of the biggest EPR compliance challenges is managing fragmented data across suppliers, internal systems, and regional teams.Manufacturers often struggle with:Incomplete supplier dataManual reporting workflowsInconsistent packaging classificationsLack of centralized compliance systemsFrequent regulatory changesLimited visibility into packaging compositionAs EPR requirements expand, these operational inefficiencies can increase compliance risk and make reporting more difficult to scale.Companies that centralize compliance data and improve supplier engagement processes are generally better positioned to manage evolving EPR obligations.

Question 10

What are the risks of inaccurate EPR reporting?

Accepted Answer

Inaccurate EPR reporting can expose companies to financial, operational, and reputational risk.Potential consequences include:Regulatory penalties and finesTime wasted on reporting resubmissionsIncreased compliance costsMarket access disruptionsDamage to brand reputationPoor data quality can also make it difficult for companies to demonstrate compliance during audits or respond quickly to changing regulatory requirements.Maintaining accurate, traceable, and up-to-date packaging data is becoming increasingly important as EPR enforcement grows.

Question 11

How can EPR data management software help?

Accepted Answer

EPR data management software, with Assent being the leader in this field, helps companies centralize the supplier and packing information needed to support EPR reporting.These systems can help organizations:Improve packaging data visibilityStreamline supplier engagementStandardize reporting workflowsReduce manual data collectionMaintain audit-ready recordsTrack changing EPR compliance requirementsImprove reporting consistency across jurisdictionsFor manufacturers managing multiple product lines or operating across several regions, scalable compliance systems can help reduce administrative burden while improving reporting accuracy. Assent streamlines your EPR packaging program with defensible supply chain data and actionable insights from our team of product sustainability experts.

Question 12

What are New Mexico PFAS labeling requirements?

Accepted Answer

Under New Mexico PFAS labeling requirements, manufacturers must label products containing intentionally added PFAS starting on January 1, 2027. The label must include a state-approved symbol and be visible prior to purchase. These requirements apply broadly to products containing intentionally added PFAS sold or distributed in the state, subject to specified exemptions.

Question 13

Which products are subject to PFAS labeling requirements in New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Many products containing intentionally added PFAS are potentially in scope, including complex durable goods, unless specifically exempt.

Question 14

When do PFAS labeling requirements take effect?

Accepted Answer

20.13.2 NMAC is effective on July 1, 2026. The product labeling requirement applies after January 1, 2027, unless an exemption applies or the manufacturer documents compliance with corresponding labeling requirements enacted by another state.

Question 15

How can manufacturers ensure PFAS compliance for labeling?

Accepted Answer

To meet PFAS compliance requirements, manufacturers must identify PFAS in their products, collect supplier declarations, assess risk, and implement labeling processes across physical and digital channels. Many organizations rely on PFAS compliance solutions to centralize data collection, validate supplier inputs, and maintain ongoing regulatory compliance.

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Category: Blog