ส.อ.ท. หนุนรัฐเข้มงวดจัดการกากอุตสาหกรรมผิดกฎหมาย ชู Digital Product Passport เชื่อม GS1 ยกระดับระบบติดตามแบตเตอรี่–แผงโซลาร์เซลล์ใช้แล้วFTI Supports Strict Government Measures on Illegal Industrial Waste Management; Promotes Digital Product Passport Linked to GS1 to Enhance Tracking System for Used Batteries and Solar Panels

Bangkok, November 11, 2026 — The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), led by Mr. Preeda Vatchratiensakul, Vice Chairman of FTI and Chairman of the Water, Environment, and Climate Change Institute, along with Mr. Chayanind Phodhivorakhun, Board Member of GS1 Thailand, participated in a press conference representing Mr. Pipope Chokvathana, Vice Chairman of FTI and Chairman of GS1 Thailand at FTI's meeting room 802 to propose ways to improve national industrial waste management, support the government in strictly enforcing laws against factories improperly managing industrial waste, particularly regarding illegal dumping, management of waste not in accordance with permitted conditions, and operations that may impact the environment and local communities.

FTI believes that serious, transparent, and fair law enforcement is an essential mechanism for elevating the standards of the Thai industry and ensuring fairness for compliant operators, as it should not allow those avoiding environmental costs to gain competitive advantages over those conducting business lawfully.

"FTI supports decisive governmental actions against operators who violate the law because illegal dumping or improper management of industrial waste not only causes damage to the environment and communities but also impacts the credibility of the industry as a whole. Thus, serious law enforcement protects both the public and responsible operators," Mr. Preeda stated.

He emphasized that Waste Generators must be responsible for industrial waste up to the final disposal point.

Mr. Preeda further stated that sustainable solutions to industrial waste issues must consider accountability throughout the waste management chain and not just inspect waste treatment or disposal facilities. Attention must also be given to Waste Generators, Waste Transporters, and Waste Processors.

Particularly under the Ministry of Industry's announcement concerning the management of waste materials or discarded materials, B.E. 2566 (2023), which outlines the principles and responsibilities of Waste Generators, it requires them to maintain responsibilities as mandated by law until the waste is properly managed.
This approach reflects the key principle that removing industrial waste from a facility does not mean that the Waste Generator's responsibility ends immediately.

Therefore, Waste Generators should have processes to verify and select their waste management contractors carefully, considering not only waste management costs but also assessing the suitability of licenses, management capabilities, pollution control systems, compliance history, and environmental risks associated with the service provider.

"Choosing a waste management contractor based solely on the lowest price may not reflect the true costs, especially the costs of environmental risks and legal liabilities. Waste Generators must have verifiable systems for selecting and monitoring waste management practices, as their responsibility does not end merely when the waste transport vehicle leaves the factory gate," Mr. Preeda added.

*Recommending the government enhance Waste Traceability for comprehensive supply chain monitoring*
FTI believes that Thailand should accelerate the development of an effective Waste Traceability system that links data from the point of generation to disposal, including the types and quantities of waste, transportation, reception of waste into facilities, and treatment, disposal, or recycling evidence.

In this regard, it should build upon existing reporting systems and documentation accompanying industrial waste transportation (Manifest) to enable systematic verification of data consistency between Waste Generators, Transporters, and Processors, along with supporting anomaly analysis and risk assessment, so that regulatory agencies can effectively utilize this data for planning inspections and law enforcement.

"The key to future industrial waste management is that we must know where the waste originates, where it is sent, who is responsible, and ultimately how it is managed, all backed by verifiable data and evidence," Mr. Preeda stated.

*Monitoring used batteries and solar panels, proposing Digital Product Passport aligned with GS1 standards*
Mr. Chayanind Phodhivorakhun, Board Member of GS1 Thailand, representing Mr. Pipope Chokvathana, Vice Chairman of FTI and Chairman of GS1 Thailand, stated in the joint press conference that another issue Thailand must prepare for is the management of waste arising from the energy transition, particularly from electric vehicle batteries, energy storage systems, and solar panels, which are expected to increase with the expansion of clean energy usage.

These products consist of various materials that can be reused, while some may have components or properties that need to be managed appropriately under safety and environmental measures.

Therefore, FTI sees an opportunity to apply the concept of Digital Product Passport (DPP) as a tool to connect information throughout the product life cycle, from manufacturer information, types and components of materials, safety information, to guidelines for reuse and management at the end of their lifecycle.

It is possible to study the application of GS1 international standards, which have a standardized system for product identification and digital data connectivity, such as GS1 Digital Link, to support access and exchange of related information among various sectors under a common data standard.

"We must look beyond waste management when products reach the end of their usable life; if we can capture critical product information from the beginning, when it becomes waste, we can utilize this information to assess risks, segregate, and choose appropriate management methods more effectively," Mr. Chayanind stated.

FTI believes there should be a collaboration between the Ministry of Industry, the Department of Industrial Works, GS1 Thailand, the industrial sector, and relevant agencies to explore the feasibility of developing a Digital Product Passport system that links product information to waste management data, potentially starting with pilot projects on used batteries and solar panels before considering expansion to other materials and industrial products.

This approach should be implemented with consideration of compliance with existing regulatory frameworks and legal requirements, including data protection, to ensure true benefits for the government, operators, and waste management firms.

Promoting a shift from end-of-pipe solutions to sustainable resource management systems
FTI acknowledges that improving Thailand's industrial waste management system requires collaboration from all sectors, where the government plays a role in regulation and law enforcement, while Waste Generators and waste management firms must operate responsibly. The industrial sector should actively participate in developing appropriate technologies and management standards.

FTI is ready to support the development of such mechanisms to drive Thailand from a waste management system that focuses on end-of-pipe solutions to effective resource management based on the concept of Circular Economy, while simultaneously enhancing the competitiveness of the Thai industry.

"Our goal is not only to ensure that industrial waste is disposed of correctly, but to instill a sense of responsibility across all sectors for the waste generated, ensuring traceability and the safe recovery of valuable resources, enabling industrial growth to proceed alongside environmental protection and the sustainable quality of life for the public," concluded Mr. Preeda.
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Published by the Corporate Communications Department of the Federation of Thai Industries (Tel. 0-2345-1051)