ISO has published a series of standards covering various aspects of the circular economy:
ISO 59004 “Circular Economy – Terminology, Principles and Guidance for Implementation”
ISO 59010 “Circular Economy – Guidance on the transition of business models and value networks”
ISO 59020 “Circular economy — Measuring and assessing circularity”
Developed with the expertise of professionals from 75 countries, these innovative standards provide a comprehensive toolkit for achieving a Circular Economy, covering everything from principles to measurement.
ISO 59004
The first of these standards, ISO 59004 defines key terminology, establishes the principles of the circular economy and provides guidance for its implementation using a framework and action areas.
The document is intended to be used by organizations seeking to understand and engage in a circular economy while contributing to sustainable development. These organizations can be private or public, acting individually or collectively, regardless of type or size, and can be located in any jurisdiction or location within a specific value chain or network.
ISO 59010
ISO 59010 provides guidelines for an organization seeking to transform its business models and value networks from linear to circular.
This document applies to any organization that operates products or services, regardless of its size, sector or region.
It focuses on business-oriented strategies to implement circular economy practices at both organizational and inter-organizational levels.
It outlines a structured approach to integrate the principles of the circular economy, improving resource efficiency and creating economic opportunities through innovation and resilience.
ISO 59020
ISO 59020 establishes requirements and guidelines for organizations to measure and evaluate their circularity performance within defined economic systems .
This document aims to standardize the process through which organizations collect and calculate data using mandatory and optional circularity indicators , ensuring consistent and verifiable results.
It provides a structured framework for defining system boundaries , selecting appropriate indicators , and interpreting data to evaluate circularity performance at multiple levels , from regional and inter-organizational to organizational and product-specific.
This standard not only helps achieve environmental sustainability, but also supports the broader goals of sustainable development by aligning with the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For businesses, it offers a way to quantify progress and demonstrate commitment to sustainable practices, improving transparency, accountability and stakeholder trust.