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If your compliance process still runs on Excel, you’re not managing data — you’re surviving it.
And that’s not going to cut it when Digital Product Passports (DPP) roll out across the EU and beyond.
For companies navigating Full Material Disclosure (FMD), structured, machine-readable data isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s the foundation of every scalable, audit-ready compliance program.
Let’s break down why it's time to ditch the spreadsheets and embrace XML — and what that means for DPP, risk management, and your bottom line.
Excel Is Not a System
We get it. Excel is familiar. It's flexible. And it’s probably where your FMD data lives right now.
But here’s the problem:
- No built-in validation for CAS numbers
- No way to enforce thresholds (e.g., RoHS 0.1% rules)
- No linkage to live substance lists (REACH SVHC, Prop 65, TSCA, POP)
- No interoperability with platforms like SCIP, IMDS, or EU DPP systems
It might work for 10 parts.
It does not scale for 10,000.
What Structured XML Actually Fixes
Enter IPC-1752A XML (Class D), IEC 62474, and IMDS. These aren’t just acronyms — they’re the future of compliance infrastructure.
Here's what structured formats give you:
- Substance-level data with CAS numbers, weights, and thresholds
- System-readable XML files (no manual review needed)
- Automated cross-checking against ECHA, EPA, and global lists
- Compatibility with regulatory submissions (SCIP, BOMcheck, DPP)
- Version control and audit traceability
In short: You move from spreadsheets and assumptions → to validated, actionable data.
Why FMD Matters for Digital Product Passports
Digital Product Passports will require manufacturers to report:
- Material content
- Hazardous substances
- Recyclability
- Repairability
- Sustainability certifications
- Supply chain transparency
All in a digital format — accessible via QR codes, APIs, and public registries.
You can’t deliver that with a folder of PDFs and Excel sheets.
You need structured, compliant, system-linked data — which starts with standardized XML declarations.
Real Impact of FMD : From Fire Drills to First-Mover Advantage
At Acquis, we’ve worked with companies still buried in legacy files. Once we migrated their FMD data into structured formats and validated CAS/weights automatically:
- They cut supplier back-and-forth by 60%
- Cut response time for compliance requests from 5 days to 1
- Automated RoHS/REACH updates across 3,000+ parts
- Reduced audit prep time by over 70%
That’s not just compliance — that’s operational clarity.
Final Word: Legacy Systems Will Break Under Pressure
Regulatory timelines are tightening. Customer expectations are rising. DPP is coming.
- Excel won’t scale.
- PDFs won’t validate.
- Manual workflows won’t survive.
XML, automation, and structured declarations are your path to confidence.
If you’re serious about FMD — and the future of your product data — you don’t wait for enforcement to hit. You get ahead of it.
Want to move from spreadsheets to real structure?
Let’s talk — and we’ll show you how Acquis simplifies FMD, validates your data, and gets you DPP-ready from day one.
