Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 2 6 Bedard Senior Care in Auburn said that it is returning to the name Bedard Long-Term Care Pharmacy to better re- flect the full range of communities, care settings and patients that it serves. Norway Savings Bank donated $15,000 to the planned Naples Recreation Complex. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced that $2.8 million in federal fund- ing drawn from the Rural Health Transformation Program will ensure Penobscot Community Health Care in Bangor avoids having to file for bankruptcy. The Mainebiz 60 Ideas in 60 Minutes Forum brings together a panel of six Maine CEOs and leaders to each share 10 ideas that business executives can learn from. Covering everything from how to successfully run and operate a business, to effective ways to motivate and manage people, our panelists will discuss and expound on their secrets to success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone looking for inspiration, you'll walk away with 60 actionable ideas that can transform your career and life. REGISTER AT MAINEBIZ.BIZ/EVENT/60IN60-BANGOR D E C EMBER 3 / 7: 3 0 —10 : 3 0 A M / H I L T O N G A R D E N I N N , B A N G O R D E C EMBER 3 SP ONSORED BY A n s w e r e d b y R a c h e l B a t t a r b e e , G u i d e d M a k e r s A S K AC E The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association of independent consultants who value "success through collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. ACE member Rachel Battarbee is founder and president of Guided Makers, a growth consultancy for established apparel brands. She can be reached at rachel@guidedmakers.com Q: What are Digital Product Passports and does my business need to pay attention? ACE advises: If you sell products into European markets (or plan to) Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are something you need to get ahead of now. This is one of the most significant regula- tory shifts affecting product-based businesses in recent years. What is a DPP? A Digital Product Passport is a digital record linked to a physical product, containing data on its materials, origin, manufacturing process, repairability and end-of-life options. Think of it as a product's digital identity — scannable, traceable and shareable across the entire supply chain. The EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is driving this rollout. Who needs it? Any brand or manufacturer selling into the EU needs a passport, including U.S. companies. Textiles and apparel are among the first product categories targeted. If you have European customers, wholesale partners or retail distribution channels, this affects you directly. Benefits. DPPs aren't just compliance boxes to check. They build consumer trust through transparency, can streamline customs and certification pro- cesses, and position your brand as a sustainability leader. This is an increasingly important compet- itive advantage with retail buyers and end consumers alike. Next steps. Start by auditing what product data you currently have and identifying the gaps. Engage your sup- ply chain partners now to improve traceability. Investing in a data management system before deadlines arrive will save significant time and cost. Timeline. The EU is phasing in DPP requirements beginning in 2026, with textiles and apparel expected in the 2027-28 window. That timeline may feel comfortable, but supply chain data collection takes longer than most brands expect. Start the conversation now. N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N

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