Quick Start: Non-EU Manufacturers
As a non-EU manufacturer, using kolum helps you provide accurate emissions data to your EU customers easily and securely. This builds trust, ensures your buyers meet their obligations, and removes the need for manual spreadsheets and scattered communication. This guide walks you through each step so you can confidently set up your kolum account, manage your data, and provide emissions data to your EU customers.
Step 1: Accept the Invitation and Create Your Account
Your EU customer will send you an invitation to join kolum. Check your email for this invitation.
- Click the link in the invitation email to create your account.
- Set your password and complete your profile.
Reset Passwords and Manage Access
Once your account is created, you will have secure access to the platform and can begin collaborating with your EU customers. The footer of the sidebar always shows who you are signed in as, with your role and your company, and offers a Product Updates link that opens the latest product news from the documentation in your app language.
Step 2: Invite Additional Users from Your Team
You can invite colleagues to help manage your kolum account and emissions data.
- Go to My Organization → Users in kolum.
- Click to invite new users by entering their email addresses and assigning appropriate roles.
- Invited users will receive an email to set up their own accounts.
Inviting your internal team ensures the right people can manage company data, articles, and emissions data collaboratively.
Step 3: Review and Complete Company and Facility Details
Your EU customer may have already pre-filled your company information in kolum, which you can view under My Organization → Companies.
- Review the pre-filled details for accuracy.
- You can add additional companies if needed (e.g., if you have multiple legal entities).
- Next, open each company and switch to its Associations tab to add or update the production facilities that belong to it. Facilities always sit on their company, so there is no separate Production Facilities page.
This step ensures your facilities are ready to be linked to the articles you produce and for which your EU customers require emissions data.
Step 4: View Your Buyers and Linked Articles
Once logged in, go to the Buyers section in the sidebar. Here you will see your EU customers who have invited you.
- Click the name of the EU customer to open their buyer profile.
- You will see a list of articles they have linked to you and for which they need emissions data.
This clear structure in kolum allows you to see exactly which products need emissions data, reducing confusion and back-and-forth communication.
Step 5: Provide Emissions Data for Articles
When viewing the articles linked to you, click "Provide Emission Data" next to each article. You will have two options:
- Option 1: Provide Emission Data Directly: If you already know your emissions values per tonne for the article, you can enter your direct and indirect emissions data manually in kolum.
- Option 2: Calculate Emission Data Using kolum: If you need to calculate emissions systematically, you can use kolum's built-in emissions calculator. This tool will guide you through defining your reporting period, setting up your production processes, and calculating direct and indirect emissions step-by-step.
Whichever method you choose, your EU customer will be notified once you submit your emissions data and can review it within their platform.
Why Using kolum Helps You
- Streamlined Data Sharing: No more manual spreadsheets or unclear email threads; data is shared securely within kolum.
- Transparency: Track exactly what emissions data you have shared and when.
- Efficiency: Pre-filled company information and linked articles reduce setup time.
- Control: You decide who within your company can access and manage your data in kolum.
- Trust with Buyers: Demonstrate your commitment to transparency and partnership with your EU customers.
Tips for a Smooth Start
- Check your invitation email promptly to begin setup without delays.
- Review and update company and facility data before providing emissions data.
- Decide internally who will manage emissions data and invite them early.
- Choose the emissions data provision method that fits your current workflow and data availability.
- If using the calculator, ensure you have production data and energy consumption details ready.
What's new
- The sidebar footer now always shows who you are signed in as, with your role and company, and a Product Updates link opens the latest product news from the documentation in your app language.
- Manage production facilities right on the company they belong to: open the company, switch to the Associations tab and add, edit or delete facilities there.