Using product compliance for discrete industries (PRC) after 2025

[duc_minh]

Hello experts,

Currently, the situation for product compliance for discrete industries (PRC) after 2025 remains unclear. In this case I am referring to PRC functionalities like ROHS compliance determination for components in the product piece list and Full Material declarations and not SDS authoring for the process industry.

At this moment, PRC is part of Product compliance (PC) classic capability, which runs in S4 using the compatibility pack (customizing node product safety and stewardship).

According to screenshot-1.png, new PRC functionality will come as part of the product marketibility functionality within PC New Capability. But in the road map I cannot find an officially announced replacement for the old PRC functionality. Is there already a replacement?

According to this article the use rights of the compatibility scope will expire on 31.12.2025, but the Product compliance (PC) classic capability is supported with maintream maintenance until 2029 (See screenshot-2.png).
(1) Does it mean that in 2026 the PS classic capability and the old PRC functionality cannot be used anymore as the use rights for compatibility scope ends? If that is the case then it does not make sense that the PC classic functionality is supported until 2029.
(2) Or does it mean that from 2026 onwards the use rights for the PS classic capability and the old PRC functionality cannot be purchased anymore? And who ever has purchased the use rights before 31.12.2025 can use it until 2029?

Validated information is much appreciated.
Thank you in advance

[Mark-Pfister · Accepted solution]

Hello duc_minh,

Referring to your 2nd screenshot:

"PS / PRC Compatibility Scope" refers to the use rights under S/4HANA with the 'old ECC license'. That means that you can use the SAP Product and Reach Compliance ((S)PRC) solution with the license you obtained for your ECC System until the end of 2025 on an S/4HANA system.

"PC Classic Functionality" - which includes PRC classic as you know from ECC - can be used with a new 'S/4HANA for product compliance' license until the end of 2036. (2036 = end of maintenance of the SAP S/4HANA 2029 release. -> you would need to stay on that 2029 release to use SPRC until 2036).

--> IMHO you can run the classic SAP PRC solution - for the discrete industry to manage REACH, RoHS etc compliance - until the end of 2036, if you purchase a new 'S/4HANA for product compliance' license before 2025 is over.

Please check with your SAP Account Executive for a definite answer from SAP - especially if you want to purchase a new license or don't have a 'S/4HANA for product compliance' license yet.

Hope this helps

Mark

[duc_minh · Accepted solution]

Hello Mark,

many thanks for your answer. I will try to get validation from SAP und do an update here, once I got it.

Best

Duc

[duc_minh · Accepted solution]

Hello Mark,

we have the answer from SAP. PRC Classic can be used On Premise after 2025, but without support or new development from SAP. 

Best 

Duc

[Melinda_Pieterse]

Hi also check the note 

Related SAP Note: 3015382 - Product Compliance: Strategy and roadmap overview

For more information as well.

That could perhaps show you some more information.

[duc_minh]

Hello Melinda, thank you

[christoph_bergemann]

Hello Duc

one hint from my side: in SAP OSS Marketplace you will find some OSS Notes discussing the new solution and the "Roadmap" as planned by SAP (including the "Compatibility aspects etc.)

Keep in mind this: SAP always talks about a "current roadmap planning" which can change in the future.

Currently SAP is planning to deliver the full scope of the new solution with S/4 HANA release 2029 (ON PREMISE Release) (refer to your screenshot).

Keep in mind: The roadmap of a "cloud based" solution might be different (check SAP OSS Marketplace for details).

With S/4 HANA Release 2023 we can see a new strategy (for "On Premise") for the new Solution.

New functionalities will be deployed with the "Major Release" (next Release to expect end of 2025 for "On Premise")

and most important: a Major Release will come any 2 years only !

Even looking on the term "Feature Pack": you have to pay attention (a little bit). A Feature Pack is more or less a "Support Pack"; it can have "new" features but need not.

That means: if there is missing functionlity which is "big": you need always to wait (according to my assumption) for the next "Major Release" (Situation is different if you use a "Cloud" variant).

The best current overview you might find here: https://blogs.sap.com/2020/11/13/product-compliance-in-sap-s-4hana-cloud-the-link-collection/

This blogs helps you to understand how SAP has delivered in the last year the new capabilities of what is called "Product Compliance in S/4 HANA).

https://blogs.sap.com/2023/03/27/new-sap-ehs-management-for-beginners/ might be if interest as well

Wish you the best for 2024.

C.B.

[duc_minh]

Hello Christoph,

thank you for the valuable hints. Unfortunately, I did not find the functionality product compliance for discrete industries (PRC) on the roadmaps yet. 

On the roadmap I only saw the prerequisite for the product compliance check: the compliance requirement for RoHS. https://roadmaps.sap.com/board?range=FIRST-LAST&q=product%20compliance&PRODUCT=42F2E964FAAF1EDABA8BD... 

Maybe the new PRC function on the S4-module "Product compliance new capabilities" will be added to the roadmap soon.   

Best wishes

Duc