TRACE EMS & C: TRAnsitioning to a Circular Economy via EMS and Circularity indicators

Important results from the project

This project investigated possibilities to integrate the circular economy norm of circularity and value retention by including circularity measurement in ISO 14001 and thus normal EMS practice. We have worked with three SMEs (Accus, Modexa and Swedese). A final and comprehensive analysis was produced including mapping, vision and recommendations on the standards can be used as an avenue to integrate circular economy norm of value retention into environmental management practice and thereby affect the thousands of organisations that observe the standards.

Expected long term effects

Learnings will be taken directly into discussions at technical committees focused on standardization of circular economy. Results show: (1) Measuring circularity prompts actions within companies and into their value chains. (2) Firms already use KPIs to monitor material flows & environmental impacts. Circularity metrics (CMs) that focus on value retention are complementary as they don´t cover the same principles. 3) PDCA continual improvement cycles can be used with CMs in a firm’s transition to a CE. (4) CMs should be easy to use, communicate and able to influence on performance.

Approach and implementation

The project included four work packages (WPs). WP1-Mapping included developing a description on how the standard ISO 14001:2015 EMS relates to the concepts, ambitions and visions of circular economy. In WP2, a Feasibility Work was conducted during which companies integrated circularity measurement into management systems and data collection via interviews, homework and workshops. WP3 was dedicated to Analysis, Dissemination and Communication activities. Finally, WP 4 comprised of project management activities and was performed by the project leader throughout the project.