Data and order management firm PBS Network launched in the UK last year, bringing a proven track record from Europe in terms of helping businesses navigate compliance and boost efficiency. Its content and order syndication platform is designed to streamline the exchange of environmental product data across the workplace supplies industry.
While operating as a for-profit company, pricing remains tightly controlled to ensure accessibility and affordability for all stakeholders. Owned by the industry, success is measured by how effectively suppliers and resellers are served rather than by maximising profits.
Two years ago, PBS Network – in collaboration with the Association des Industriels de la Papeterie et du Bureau (AIPB) – launched the user-friendly PBSeasy Sustainability Upload portal, offering a solution to the complex challenge of managing and sharing environmental product data. The platform enables suppliers to upload sustainability data via a simple Excel data matrix. Dealers can then effortlessly access structured environmental product information, helping ensure compliance without any technical installation.
AIPB, which represents 43 manufacturers and around 100 brands of stationery and office supplies, together with PBS Network developed this environmental product data matrix to align with the French AGEC law (anti-waste law for a circular economy).
Already, major resellers in France, including Lyreco, Bruneau, RAJA Group, Alkor Groupe, Lacoste and Bureau Vallée, are utilising the portal. In addition to AIPB and UFIPA in France, PBS Network works with key industry players such as BOSTA in Belgium and ARGE PBS in Germany. It also has support from Unite and PBS Holding/PBS Deutschland.
The portal eliminates the headache of maintaining multiple systems or complying with varying regulations in different countries. Now, it is being rolled out across Belgium, Germany, Denmark and the UK, creating a single platform for vendors while allowing country-specific adjustments. With growing discussions around environmental responsibility, PBS Network is turning words into action by offering a practical solution.
Key features of the PBSeasy Sustainability Upload portal include:
- Suppliers can upload ecolabels, recycling characteristics, certifications such as FSC, CO2 emissions, CSR commitments and technical documents.
- Dealers can easily retrieve sustainability data through MyPBSeasy.
- A single standardised data template ensures regulatory compliance and data accuracy.
- Automatic structuring of data for seamless integration into dealer systems.
- Continuous updates to align with local regulatory and legislative requirements.
A helping hand
For suppliers, the PBSeasy Sustainability Upload portal simplifies compliance by centralising sustainability data to meet ESG and CSR requirements.
Instead of managing multiple formats for different retailers, brands can upload data once and have it automatically structured and shared across all connected dealer platforms. The intuitive system also checks data quality and flags errors, ensuring accuracy and legal compliance.
For dealers, the MyPBSeasy platform provides access to environmental data with the following benefits:
- A harmonised pan-European solution, creating efficiencies in environmental data distribution.
- A standardised data format covering packaging components and plastic content, recycling information and environmental certifications.
- A fully transparent platform with structured, compliant data for dealers and end customers.
- Automatic updates ensure dealers receive the latest sustainability data without additional effort.
- It’s a free platform for dealers!
UK rollout
The UK, though it has its own regulatory nuances, remains heavily influenced by European environmental trends. With 95% of data needs being universal across markets and over 25 major manufacturers already on board – including Exacompta/ExaClair, Durable and Schneider – and more than 30,000 available products, PBS Network delivers a reliable and seamless solution.
The organisation continues to make notable progress through key alliances. Recent agreements have been reached with technology providers EO Group and Prima Software, which will equip dealers with vital product data and ordering capabilities. It is also developing an order interface with evo Group and has secured a partnership with safety products company Arco.
Additionally, PBS Network has partnered with Red-Inc, a B Corp-certified dealer with approved science-based targets and renowned for its ESG commitment – a significant endorsement of the portal.
PBS Network’s membership of the BOSS Federation highlights its commitment to the association’s environmental data requirements and alignment with UK industry standards. The future of environmental product data management is here, and PBS Network is leading the charge.
For more information, visit: pbsnetwork.eu/en/sustainability-upload-solution-en
