On Wednesday, the numbers didn’t add up. With 318 votes against 309, the EU Parliament rejected the negotiation mandate to simplify sustainability regulations. Instead of swift negotiations, the result is delay—until at least November 13—along with new amendment proposals and unclear majorities. For companies in logistics and supply chain management, that means one thing above all: continued uncertainty.

The original proposal sounded tempting: drastically simplified reporting obligations. Only companies with more than 1,000 employees and €450 million in annual revenue would have to provide sustainability reports. Supply chain due diligence? Only for companies with at least 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion in revenue.

Reality, however, is more complex. In a representative survey of European executives, 50 percent supported lowering the threshold to 250 or 500 employees. Why? 53 percent expect stricter due diligence rules to strengthen Europe’s supplier industry, while 48 percent see them as a long-term competitive advantage.

The message: Many companies don’t want deregulation. They want clear, practical standards that help them compete globally.

The risk-based approach: good idea, but how does it work?

A core element of the reform is the risk-based approach: instead of systematically scrutinizing all business partners, companies should only conduct checks where human rights or environmental risks are likely. It sounds like common sense.

But who defines what counts as a risk? The answer lies in data. And this is where logistics companies face a real challenge:

• Supply chain visibility: Without knowing where Tier-2 or Tier-3 suppliers produce, risk assessment is impossible.
• Real-time monitoring: Compiling one report per year is outdated. Continuous monitoring will become the norm.
• Traceability: With fines of up to 5% of global turnover, no company can afford documentation gaps.

And what role does EDI play?

For decades, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has been the backbone of orders, invoices, and delivery notes. Now it’s becoming the key enabler of sustainability compliance.

Why? Because modern supply chain due diligence is impossible without structured data flows.

• Emission data must be automatically collected and aggregated—per shipment, per route, per partner.
• Supplier certificates and audits must be digitally accessible and verifiable.
• Anomaly detection requires continuous data streams to identify problematic patterns early.
• Reporting is only manageable when data is already structured—not when it has to be manually compiled from emails and spreadsheets.

What logistics companies should do now

Political uncertainty is frustrating, but it doesn’t change the fundamental task. Whether the final regulation applies to companies with 500 or 5,000 employees—the requirement remains the same: supply chains must be transparent and verifiable.

Three concrete steps:

1. Improve data quality systematically
   Faulty or incomplete supplier master data undermines every sustainability report. Cleaning up now prevents panic and costs later. That means: standardize supplier data, eliminate duplicates, and systematically request missing information.
2. Expand EDI integration
   EDI can do more than handle orders and delivery notices. Modern EDI systems can seamlessly integrate sustainability data such as CO₂ metrics, certificates, or audit reports. The infrastructure for this should be built now—not when deadlines loom.
3. Implement monitoring systems
   Reactive reporting is no longer enough. Companies need dashboards and alerting systems that visualize risks in real time: which supplier has failed to renew its ISO certification? Where are there irregularities in emission data? Which partners have not met their sustainability commitments?

While Brussels debates simplification, the technical complexity grows. Not because the number of requirements is increasing, but because the expectations for precision and traceability are rising. “Roughly sustainable” no longer cuts it—for auditors or for customers.

For supply chain and logistics companies, that means: the age of Excel sheets is over. Waiting for the final regulation in November or December means losing valuable months. Systems for data integration, monitoring, and reporting take time to implement and optimize.

The competitive edge lies in the data

The good news: companies that get their data infrastructure in order gain more than just compliance. They gain transparency over their own operations. They can react faster to disruptions. They can provide customers with verifiable sustainability evidence—a factor that increasingly makes the difference in tenders.

Many European executives expect stricter due diligence to strengthen the supplier industry. That’s no coincidence. Those who do their homework today will have a head start tomorrow.

The question isn’t if the rules will come, but when. And those who aren’t prepared by then will face a problem no political compromise can solve.

Why real-time inventory is the new productivity factor – and how a digital classic like INVRPT helps you minimize risks, reduce costs, and meet ESG goals.

Inventory is like your pulse – you rarely think about it until it skips a beat. And then it gets expensive: supply shortages (so-called stockouts) account for up to 35% of logistics costs, from express shipping to lost sales. In retail alone, we’re talking about \$1.8 trillion globally each year.
If you can’t see what’s missing, you pay twice – in money and in trust.

INVRPT sounds like Excel in 1995 – but it’s actually the EDIFACT message that keeps supply chains running. It delivers up-to-date inventory data from your suppliers straight into your ERP system. Available, blocked, in transit – no more guessing games, just hard facts in real time.

* Project data from international SEEBURGER customers, 2023/24

Anyone who still thinks EDI is outdated IT underestimates the power of well-structured data. With the right setup, a simple message becomes a C-level control tool.

INVRPT isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s your ticket to a resilient supply chain.
Less risk, less capital tied up, more control.

Labal gets you there – with experience, industry standards, and a clear language your IT understands and your procurement team values.

Get in touch – before your inventory makes the call.

The Long-Term Supplier’s Declaration (LLE) is one of the most commonly used documents in intra-EU trade – especially in the automotive industry. It serves as proof that delivered goods have preferential origin status within a specified period – a key requirement to benefit from tariff advantages during export.

In a globally connected supply chain, where thousands of components come from various suppliers, the LLE becomes a key document for maintaining competitiveness. But with its importance comes growing complexity.

Although companies are not legally obliged to issue a Long-Term Supplier’s Declaration (LLE), many manufacturers contractually require it – for example, to obtain a formal proof of preferential origin (such as EUR.1) for their final product. Strict formal requirements apply: the declaration must include specific date references, may be valid for a maximum of 24 months, and must be updated or revoked in the event of any changes.

The legal framework is based on EU regulations (UCC, UCC-IA), which have allowed for slightly more flexibility since 2017 – particularly regarding the validity period and processing methods. However, the responsibility remains with the supplier: an incorrect origin declaration can result in back taxes, fines, and even criminal penalties.

In practice, this means that procurement and customs departments must regularly review, archive, and update hundreds of LLEs. Many companies still manage supplier declarations manually – using Excel spreadsheets, overflowing email inboxes, and PDF files stored on shared drives. This approach is error-prone, lacks transparency, and is difficult to scale.

On top of that, proper content verification requires expertise in preferential origin rules, customs tariff numbers, and free trade agreements. Inaccurate or incomplete entries – such as incorrect origin claims or missing validity dates – can result in an LLE being rejected by customs.

This is where digitalization comes in: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) enables the structured, automated transmission of origin data between supplier and manufacturer. The automotive industry uses the VDA 4997 standard for this purpose – a digital exchange format that standardizes the entire process of requesting, submitting, and validating LLEs.

Instead of manually sent PDFs, data is exchanged electronically – securely, transparently, and in an automatable way. Software solutions handle validation, issue reminders for expiring declarations, and archive all versions in an audit-proof manner. The benefits are clear:

As valuable as digital LLE processes are, their success depends entirely on clean partner onboarding. Why? Because before EDI data can flow automatically, partners must be technically connected, processes aligned, and communication formats agreed upon.

This is exactly where LABAL.onboard comes in.

Our solution supports companies with efficient and structured onboarding of new suppliers – including:

With LABAL.onboard, a time-consuming one-off process becomes an efficient, repeatable standard – a true competitive advantage, especially when it comes to managing supplier declarations.

The future of logistics is digital – and yet the automotive industry still clings to paper documents. While electronic data formats (EDI) have been in use for decades and digital solutions exist for countless processes, the paperless bill of lading remains a challenge. Why?

At FAL2025, the topic “From less paper to paperless” was a highlight – especially for Simon Motter (Head of Group Logistics at Volkswagen), who described the VDA slot as “inspiring.” Our CEO, Alois Labermeyer, presented the current progress on eCMR – the digital version of the bill of lading.

Many companies have already taken the first step: in real-world case studies, speakers shared how they overcame resistance and accelerated the shift to digital processes through pilot projects. The key takeaway?
The technology is already here – all it takes now is the will to implement it.

Download the FAL25 Presentation – Quickly and Easily

In addition to the environmental benefits, the digital bill of lading also delivers tangible economic efficiency. But what exactly does that mean for companies?

Need support with the digital transformation of your logistics processes?
Get in touch with us – we’ll help you set the course for a paperless future.

The numbers speak for themselves: eliminating paper in logistics not only saves time and costs, but also significantly reduces environmental impact. The technology for paperless processing already exists – what’s missing is consistent implementation. Companies that embrace digital solutions like eCMR today benefit from more efficient processes and a clear competitive edge.

It’s time to rethink old habits. Because every step toward digitalization is a step toward a more sustainable, efficient future.
Are you ready to help shape the transformation?

The European Commission has launched the Omnibus I 2025 legislative package to ease the bureaucratic burden on companies. Sustainability reporting requirements are being simplified, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. However, while reporting obligations are decreasing, one thing remains unchanged: data quality and transparency are still essential.

These changes mark a clear shift toward practicality and efficiency.
But for companies that continue to engage with ESG topics, one central challenge remains:
the quality and reliability of their own data.

Even though legal requirements are being reduced, the demand for reliable ESG data remains high. Investors, business partners, and customers continue to expect transparent and accurate information. Inaccurate or incomplete sustainability reports can lead to reputational damage and compliance risks.

With Omnibus I 2025, the EU is creating a more balanced regulatory framework that gives companies greater flexibility. At the same time, sustainability reporting remains a strategically important topic – even beyond legal obligations.

Companies that invest in a solid data foundation today will benefit in the long run. Automated solutions like LABAL.proof, LABAL.monitor, and LABAL.onboard help streamline sustainability processes and unlock valuable insights from ESG data.

What Opportunities and Challenges Do You See in the New Regulations?

The modern mobility landscape faces diverse challenges, including traffic congestion, environmental impacts, and efficiency issues. In this context, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) plays a crucial role as a key technology to drive the transition towards a more efficient and sustainable mobility.

Today’s mobility requires innovative solutions to meet growing demands. A key challenge involves coordinating and integrating various stakeholders, including vehicles, suppliers, logistics companies, and authorities. This is where EDI comes into play, enabling efficient data exchange. By standardizing data formats and processes, EDI facilitates the seamless integration of these actors, ultimately improving the overall performance of the transportation sector.

EDI optimizes the exchange of data between suppliers, logistics companies, and government authorities. Through the digitization and automation of business processes, manual interventions are minimized, errors reduced, and the efficiency of the mobility system enhanced. For instance, EDI enables real-time tracking of deliveries, not only increasing transparency but also contributing to making supply chains more efficient.

Real-time data, facilitated by EDI, plays a crucial role in optimizing traffic flows. Through continuous monitoring and analysis of traffic patterns, cities and businesses can make informed decisions. This not only enables the reduction of traffic congestion but also the targeted control of traffic patterns to ensure a more efficient utilization of existing infrastructure.

The success stories of cities and companies implementing EDI in traffic planning are numerous. From smart traffic light systems to dynamic route optimization for delivery vehicles, the benefits of EDI have proven themselves in practice. Case studies from various regions illustrate how this technology has contributed to improving not only the efficiency but also the sustainability of transportation systems.

The city of Amsterdam has successfully utilized EDI to optimize its transportation infrastructure. By installing smart traffic lights supplied with EDI data from various sources, the city improved downtown traffic flows by up to 20%. This led to a reduction in congestion, improved air quality, and enhanced traffic safety.

The logistics company DHL employs EDI to enhance the efficiency of its supply chains. With real-time tracking of deliveries, DHL can monitor the status of packages and shipments in real-time, identifying and addressing delays early on. This has resulted in reduced delivery times, improved customer satisfaction, and increased profitability.

Looking ahead, EDI holds broader potentials in the mobility sector. The technology will play a key role in integrating autonomous vehicles, further optimizing supply chains, and shaping the future of mobility. The ongoing development of 5G networks and increased use of IoT devices will enhance the capabilities of EDI, advancing the possibilities for connected and intelligent mobility.

Sustainable logistics systems are crucial as they contribute to conducting the transportation and storage of goods efficiently, environmentally friendly, and socially responsibly. Logistics systems are processes that support the movement and storage of goods, exerting a significant impact on the environment, communities, and the economy. By integrating sustainability into logistics systems, negative impacts can be minimized, fostering a resilient and more equitable supply chain.

Sustainable logistics solutions are crucial for the future for various reasons. Here are some of them: 1. Environmental Protection: With increasing awareness of climate change and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable logistics solutions are essential to minimize the environmental impact of transportation and logistics activities. By reducing the use of fossil fuels and promoting clean energy sources such as electric vehicles or bioenergy, digital systems can help cut emissions and protect the environment. 2. Economic Viability: As consumer demand for products continues to grow, businesses must find ways to fulfill this demand efficiently and cost-effectively. By adopting sustainable logistics strategies, companies can reduce transportation and logistics costs, such as fuel consumption, enhancing their competitiveness in the market. 3. Social Responsibility: Companies have a responsibility to their stakeholders and the communities in which they operate. Implementing sustainable logistics solutions can contribute to the well-being of communities by reducing the negative impacts of transportation on air and water quality, as well as noise pollution. 4. Legal Requirements: Governments are increasingly enacting regulations and laws requiring companies to reduce their negative environmental impacts. Sustainable logistics solutions can help companies comply with these regulations and avoid future penalties. 5. Meeting Customer Demand and Future-proofing: As consumers and society become more environmentally conscious, they expect companies to strive for sustainability and meet the new standard of environmental responsibility. Investing in sustainable logistics solutions can give companies a competitive advantage, differentiating them from competitors who do not prioritize sustainability. This can be an effective marketing tool and help attract and retain customers who are conscious of sustainability. 6. Innovation and New Technologies: Introducing sustainable logistics solutions can lead to the development of new technologies and innovations in the logistics industry, resulting in further cost savings and environmental improvements. In summary, innovative and sustainable logistics systems are crucial for protecting the environment and local communities, creating a more efficient supply chain, and promoting long-term economic growth. Only through such measures can a more sustainable future for all be realized. As for how to make it happen…