WFSGI Start Task Force For Digitisation Of Product Information

The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry has launched a task force, co-chaired by Decathlon and the VF Corporation, to begin the mammoth task of digitising product information- taking the info off of product labels and sticking it online. The WFSGI has created a vid and has explained further-

Going Digital: Join the WFSGI New Task Force on the Digitisation of Product Information and Take Labelling to the Next Level

Dear WFSGI members,

As you know, COVID-19 is reshaping the global business environment and has undoubtedly paved the way for digital transformation as businesses are shifting operations to cope with office closures, restricted movement, and supply interruption.

Following this trend, this is simply the perfect timing for the WFSGI to announce the creation of the new “Digitisation of Product Information” task force, aiming at finding concrete solutions to push for digital labelling and at sharing best practices among the Sporting Goods Industry.

To address this prominent challenge, two high-profile and knowledgeable companies, namely Decathlon and VF Corporation, will co-chair and lead the task force.

Please have a look at our 2 minutes video-teaser and short summary table. Should you be interested in participating in the discussion, please contact WFSGI Head of Legal, Charlotte Giudicelli at [email protected] ASAP and before September 1, 2020.

Key Findings: 

• Length & cost: labels are becoming longer and de facto the costs are increasing for businesses
• Lack of harmonised regulations worldwide lead to headaches and complexity for companies
• Labels irritate customers: they usually do not understand the information which is on the product and very frequently cut the labels out due to their size or scratchiness

Environmental impact: “in the US alone, the label industry employs more than 300,000 miles of ribbon, which is enough to go more than thirteen times around the globe” (Source: CACOTEC. See also video here).

Key Advantages of Digitisation:

• Ensure that the labels are always available, readable and up to date
• Consumers have access to qualitative and accurate information
• Reduce the environmental impact of permanent/physical labels
• Eliminate the irritation caused by physical labels.