This week on the Scandinavian MIND podcast, we bring you a special double episode recorded live at our Transformation Talks event in Stockholm. As the fashion and textile industries brace for a wave of EU regulation, brands must not only adapt—but find new ways to grow through data, traceability, and collaboration.
In the first panel, we explore the complex and fast-changing landscape of EU legislation, including the Omnibus Package, CSRD, and Digital Product Passports—and what it all means for international business.
In the second panel, we dive into the brand and tech side of the equation, hearing from leading voices about how transparency can unlock new business models, power resale and repair, and create stronger consumer relationships.
Hege Schøyen Dillner, Partner, Frøya Ventures
Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs, GS1 Sweden
Magnus Nikkarinen, Senior Policy Director, Swedish Commerce (Svensk Handel)
Speakers:
Sara M. Rakstang, Founder & CEO, Repass
Johan Graffner, CEO at Dedicated, Co-Founder at Vintage & Friends
Linda Pimmeshofer, Founder, Change Retail
Moderated by Konrad Olsson, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Scandinavian MIND
Key takeaways
EU legislation is a moving target — and it’s creating uncertainty.
“The EU legislation seems to be a moving target… everything moves around. So things are being put out and then they’re relaxed.”
— Staffan Olsson, GS1 Sweden
Brands must stop waiting and start acting strategically.
“You could decide just to sit and wait. You could decide to take a proactive role if you see business opportunities and get a competitive advantage. But my advice is: don’t just sit there and do nothing.”
— Hege Schøyen Dillner, Frøya Ventures
Transparency begins with knowing your supply chain.
“You have to know your supply chains — your supplier’s supplier’s supplier. What are the conditions there? What’s the performance of the product?”
— Staffan Olsson, GS1 Sweden
The Digital Product Passport is a byproduct — the real value lies in the data.
“Digital Product Passport is a byproduct of transparency. If you have the data in place, then you can put it together in a way that this or that regulation is asking from you.”
— Sara M. Rakstang, Repass
The path to transparency starts with one product.
“Maybe the first step is to choose one product from A to Z, from material to end of life… create the whole process, test it, get the feedback, and go further.”
— Sara M. Rakstang, Repass
We need to stop talking about transparency as just compliance.
“We need to stop talking about compliance only and really understand the value within the information… DPP is gold for the industry.”
— Linda Pimmeshofer, Change Retail
