Dutch Launch Consultation on Fiber Optic Industry’s Environmental Impact

Dutch trade association NLconnect has initiated a consultation process focusing on passive and active components for fibre optic network components. This move comes as NLconnect is actively involved in drawing up Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for active components and passive materials within the fibre optic industry. As part of this initiative, NLconnect has recently published two Product Category Rules (PCR) for public consultation.

Earlier this year, a dedicated working group under NLconnect developed PCRs for both active and passive fibre optic products. These products include cables, ducts, closures, FTUs, fibre trays, modems, routers, ONTs, and switches. By introducing these PCRs, manufacturers and suppliers in the fibre optic and telecom industries can now assess the environmental impact of their products in a standardized manner, ultimately leading to emission reduction.

The newly introduced PCRs serve as a supplement to existing standards such as the EN 15804 standard, which focuses on the LCA-based environmental performance of construction products, and the EN 50693 standard, which addresses the LCA-based environmental performance of electronic and electrical equipment. Additionally, the Dutch PCR for construction products, known as "Bepalingsmethode milieuprestatie bouwwerken," by the Dutch National Environmental Database Foundation (NMD) is also taken into consideration.

These PCRs are specifically designed to operate within the national provisions of The Netherlands. Recently, complementary PCRs have been made available on the NMD website following approval by the foundation. This move mandates stakeholders to adhere to the PCRs, ensuring a fair and consistent playing field. NLconnect aims to have both PCRs officially recognized and published by the NMD, with the ongoing public consultation forming a crucial part of this process.

Interested parties are encouraged to participate in the consultation by visiting the official NLconnect website at www.nlconnect.org. The consultation period for the PCRs will run from June 21st, 2024, to July 22nd, 2024. All feedback received during this period will be thoroughly reviewed and, if deemed necessary, integrated into the final documents. Any modifications resulting from the consultation will be transparently communicated through a change sheet for informational purposes.

The NLconnect PCRs play a pivotal role in advancing the sustainability of digital infrastructure. Manufacturers and suppliers can leverage the calculation rules outlined in the PCRs to analyze data from past or ongoing Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) of their products. This standardized approach enables the creation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for individual products or product groups, empowering telecom companies to better manage scope 3 emissions associated with the entire life cycle of their purchased products.

Simultaneously, NLconnect is actively pursuing international standardization efforts in collaboration with the FttH Council Europe and engaging in discussions with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). By working towards harmonized standards at both national and international levels, NLconnect is driving the industry towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.