What are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemical substances that resist natural breakdown, remain in the environment for long periods, and build up in living organisms. Examples include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT, and dioxins. POPs can travel long distances through air and water, affecting ecosystems and human health worldwide.

What is the EU POPs Regulation (EU 2019/1021)?

The EU POPs Regulation, also known as Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, is the European Union’s legal framework for controlling persistent organic pollutants. It enforces the Stockholm Convention by restricting or banning POPs production, use, and disposal to prevent environmental contamination.

Which industries are most affected by POPs legislation?

Industries such as electronics, automotive, textiles, and construction are most affected by persistent organic pollutant (POP) regulations. These sectors often use materials containing POPs, such as flame retardants, lubricants, or plasticizers, and must comply with EU POPs restrictions to continue selling products in the European Union.

How can companies ensure compliance with the EU POPs Regulation?

To comply with the EU POPs Regulation, companies should collect full material disclosures (FMDs) from suppliers, perform chemical screening to detect POPs, and use Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Compliance software. Ongoing monitoring of new POPs listings under the Stockholm Convention helps maintain compliance as regulations evolve.

What is the EU Waste Framework Directive and why does the SCIP database matter for manufacturers?

The EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) is a cornerstone of the European Union’s circular economy strategy, requiring manufacturers to design products for durability, reuse, and waste reduction. A key update in 2018 introduced the SCIP database, the Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products) database, managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Manufacturers, importers, and assemblers must report products containing Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) above 0.1% weight-by-weight (w/w) to the SCIP database. This improves supply chain transparency and supports safe recycling and waste handling.

Who must submit data to the SCIP database under the Waste Framework Directive?

Any company that manufactures, assembles, imports, or distributes products in the EU market containing SVHCs above 0.1% (w/w) must make a SCIP submission.EU-based companies, including first importers have direct legal responsibility.Non-EU suppliers must provide data to their EU partners to maintain market access.The only exception is retailers selling directly and exclusively to end consumers. To determine if you’re in scope, review your supply chain data against the REACH Candidate List, which is updated about every six months.

How does SCIP reporting differ from REACH compliance?

While both REACH and SCIP address hazardous substances, SCIP goes deeper.REACH focuses on the registration and restriction of chemicals.SCIP requires a granular declaration of SVHCs at the article level, including details like material category, safe use information, and concentration ranges. In short, REACH manages chemicals, while SCIP manages transparency, ensuring every product component containing an SVHC can be identified and safely handled at the end of its life cycle.

How can manufacturers efficiently meet SCIP database requirements?

Compliance begins with accurate data collection and supplier collaboration. Manufacturers should:Map all products and identify SVHCs.Collect detailed article- and material-level data following ECHA’s IUCLID format.Use a compliance management solution to automate submissions and maintain accuracy.Solutions like Assent’s SCIP compliance software centralize supplier data, track REACH Candidate List updates, and simplify dossier submissions, helping companies shift from reactive compliance to proactive risk management.

Why is compliance management becoming a strategic advantage for suppliers?

As global regulations evolve toward product sustainability across the entire product life cycle, customers want partners who deliver on transparency as well as compliance.When customers ask for compliance information, they are also evaluating your reliability as a business partner. Suppliers who respond quickly and accurately demonstrate professionalism and build long-term trust. A mature compliance process shows that you are prepared for future regulations and larger opportunities. Instead of seeing compliance as a box to check, think of it as part of your reputation. It proves that you operate responsibly and transparently. With the right tools and consistent processes, even a small supplier can stand out as a trusted and preferred partner in the supply chain.

Why is compliance management becoming harder for suppliers to handle manually?

Regulations are expanding in scope and complexity, covering areas like chemical use, labor practices, and sustainability. Many suppliers still manage compliance data with spreadsheets or through email, which can work for a few customers but quickly becomes unmanageable as requirements increase. Manual methods make it easy to miss updates, lose important documentation, or duplicate work across customer requests. As larger manufacturers strengthen their oversight, suppliers who cannot deliver complete and consistent data face delays, additional audits, or even lost contracts.

What are compliance management data best practices for suppliers?

You do not need a large compliance department to manage growing data demands effectively. Strong compliance management begins with visibility: Knowing what materials you use, which regulations apply, and how to share that information confidently with your customers. With Assent’s sustainability platform, you can manage and automate all your compliance data requests in one place. Instead of juggling multiple spreadsheets and emails, our network-driven system connects you to the same platform used by leading manufacturers. That means you can share accurate, complete information across multiple customers at once, cutting down on repetitive work and response time. Assent’s AI-driven tools also help you identify missing data, flag potential risks, and prepare for future requests more easily.

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Aerospace & Defense

AI-Native Compliance Software for Aerospace & Defense Manufacturers

The aerospace and defense industry is built on incredibly complex supply chains. Only Assent’s massive database of supplier and parts data can get your product compliance and responsible sourcing program off the ground.

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Overview

Supply Chain Compliance for Aerospace & Defense Manufacturers

With industry-specific regulations and requirements, aerospace and defense manufacturers often spend countless resources managing supply chain data. Assent’s AI-native data solution helps you increase productivity and reduce risks.

Challenges

Complex Supply Chains
Regulatory Compliance
Data Management
Risk of Disruptions

Solutions

Comprehensive Compliance Tracking
End-to-End Supply Chain Transparency
Data Centralization
Proactive Risk Mitigation

Platform Benefits

Powerful AI Tools for Compliance & Sustainability

Demonstrate Compliance to Regulators

Protect Against Supply Chain Disruptions

Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes

Demonstrate Compliance to Regulators

Protect Against Supply Chain Disruptions

Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes

Demonstrate Compliance to Regulators

Supply chain transparency and reliable data give you an edge with regulators and customers in the aerospace and defense industry.

Protect Against Supply Chain Disruptions

Full visibility into your supply chain protects against disruptions caused by shortages, part obsolescence, or substance restrictions.

Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes

Proactively address regulatory changes and sourcing requirements that can impact impact your ability to meet contractual requirements.

AI-Native Data Automation

The Assent Sustainability Platform, with AI tools, makes it easy to access supplier and parts data across your supply chain for smarter decisions.

Detailed Reporting

Assent’s detailed dashboards, reports, and AI validation help you identify risks and opportunities in your supply chain.

Aerospace & Defense Supply Chain Sustainability Solutions

Get REACH Compliant

Discover more about your REACH requirements, and how Assent creates the supply chain transparency you need for SVHC compliance.

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AD-DSL Made Easy

Explore our AD-DSL software for the aerospace and defense industry that makes it simple to identify the substances in your parts so you can meet requirements.

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Kickstart Your Minerals Sourcing Program

Learn how Assent adds the power of AI to your critical minerals, conflict minerals, and extended minerals sourcing due diligence.

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Automate TSCA Compliance

Supercharge TSCA compliance with the Assent Sustainability Platform that makes it faster and easier to collect part information and supplier declarations through one central hub.

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Trusted by 1000+ Manufacturers

See why our supply chain sustainability platform is top choice for the aerospace and defense manufacturers looking to simplify their product compliance and responsible sourcing using superior data and AI tools.

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AI-Native Compliance Software for Aerospace & Defense Manufacturers