We’re entering a new era for licensing. For many of you, this won’t come as much of a surprise, pioneering as you are, within an evolving market meeting the changing demands of a customer and retail landscape more discerning than ever before.

And that’s massively exciting. Recent reports have told us 28% of the global licensing sector now sees greater opportunity in sustainable product innovation and we know that customers are demanding more from their favourite brands as they grow more discerning and conscientious by the day.

We also know that soon enough, sustainability won’t be an extravagance companies can simply opt out of… not when the legislation really kicks in.

Which is why, this year, Products of Change is excited to be deliver the next level of the sustainability conversation to London’s ExCel and Brand Licensing Europe 2023.

The obvious point is that the $340bn global brand and licensing industry won’t be immune to any of the legislative changes coming down the line. Across the EU, Extended Producer Responsibility laws will impact the way in which products are not only packaged but handled throughout their entire lifecycle, while the introduction of the Digital Product Passport is going to set whole new standards for supply chain transparency.

Those who can get the jump on these advancing changes now are going to find themselves light years ahead when the new requirements come into full force in the next couple of years.

The tech experts at Fabacus made headlines recently with the launch of its own Digital Product Passport (DPP) – a unique QR code that arms customers with all the product information they will need to make a truly informed purchase.

Developed in partnership with the ethical fashion brand, Nobody’s Child and used – for the first time – on a range of clothing from the Fearne Cotton’s Happy Places, the DPP empowers the customer to make the ethical choice by giving them full view of the impact areas along each garment’s journey to the shelf. The fact it’s been backed by the UK retailer, M&S speaks volumes for the reverberations the official introduction of the DPP will cause among brands and retailers in the very near future.

Fabacus will be at the Products of Change booth this year to talk visitors through its groundbreaking technology and what to expect when the European legislation impacts upon anyone doing business within it.

Wastebuster, meanwhile, will showcase Recycle to Read, an initiative that – supported by Hasbro – has this past month landed in select Tesco stores to test and trial a new, circular system for pre-loved and broken plastic toys. A major coup for the team, the trial run encourages families to Rehomed their unwanted toys through charitable giving to earn Planet Care Points for local schools across Sussex. Meanwhile, broken plastic toys can be recycled via the in-store collection bins at Tesco stores, again, earning those planet-conscious children points for local schools. 

The highest point-scoring schools receive book bundles and reading resources worth £5,000 in a bid to not only support circular systems for unwanted toys but at-school literacy, too.

This is but a snapshot of the innovation we will have on display within the Green Innovation zone where the likes of Liverpool FC will showcase the latest developments to be driven by its ESG strategy The Red Way, Smiley will be presenting its advance with sustainable fashion, and Kids Industries will be presenting a major and wholly exciting new platform for measuring the industry’s progression with sustainable development.

This will all be hosted at Stand D120, where Products of Change Ambassadors James George – Ambassador for the Circular Economy, and Mike Swain – Ambassador for Packaging, will be on hand to meet and chat through those burning questions.

Products of Change will also be hosting a Member Drinks reception at 4.30pm on Wednesday, October 4 and invites all members to join in for a chance to network and catch up on the latest.

Products of Change is looking forward to meeting with and chatting sustainable development with the industry this Brand Licensing Europe. To set some time aside for a catch up get in touch with Helena@productsofchange.com or Rob@productsofchange.com