ISO/TC 323 workgroups

ISO/TC 323/WG 1 - Terminology, principles, frameworks and management system standard has developed standard with terminology that will create a common understanding and enable uniform communication regarding Circular aspects.

This is of high importance to avoid greenwashing.

ISO 59004 – “Circular Economy – Terminology, Principles and Framework for implementation”

Scope of the standard

This document defines key terminology, establishes circular economy principles, and provides a framework for implementation and guidance regarding areas of action. It is intended to be used by organizations, either private or public, individually, or collectively, regardless of type, size, location, jurisdiction, or position within a specific value chain or value network, that are seeking to understand and contribute to a circular economy while aiming for sustainable development.

ISO/TC 323/WG 2 - Practical approaches to develop and implement Circular Economy - puts out frameworks on circular economy.

The standard ISO 59010 – “Circular economy — Guidelines on business models and value chains" will creates an understanding on how circular economy works. One of the principles is that the circular value chain is transformed in a circular network where companies and end-users interact with each other to create a circular economy. 

Scope

This document provides guidelines for an organization seeking to transition their business models and value networks from linear to circular ones. 

This document applies to any organization dealing in a solution (product or service) regardless of its size, sector or region.

This TR provides an analysis of cases for the implementation of specific aspects of circular economy in organizations, whatever their status can be. It specifically focuses on performance-based approaches such as functional economy, service economy, product-service systems (PSS), Product as a Service (PaaS) and other performance-based approaches

This technical report mainly describes a selection of use case of operational implementation of such performance-based approaches observed in different organizations. It stresses the challenging context faced by concerned organizations and that lead them to change their economic & business models. 

It depicts cultural, organizational and industrial change induced by this move of their business model toward a performance-based approach. It emphasizes to what extent the total economic value increases and how this raise is converted in revenue streams for the concerned organizations.

Therefore, this TR does not cover the implantation of any circular economy domain of actions (eco-design, recycling; responsible purchase policy etc.) but focuses on the systemic level of economic models based on the contracting on given aspects of performance.

This document defines a comprehensive methodology for exchanging information relevant to the circular economy, with a focus on supporting interoperability through the use of a Product Circularity Data Sheet (PCDS).

It outlines the requirements for completing a PCDS, applicable to all types of organizations—regardless of their size, sector, or nature—when acquiring or supplying products. The goal is to enable the reliable exchange of circular economy-related data without disclosing confidential business information.

Additionally, the document specifies the reporting format to be used when creating a PCDS template. This includes guidance on selecting appropriate product circularity statements tailored to the specific characteristics of a product.

Beyond technical specifications, it offers practical guidance for managing, creating, and sharing both individual PCDS documents and PCDS templates across the value chain.

The methodology establishes a structured set of requirements for organizations seeking to integrate the PCDS into their supply chain processes. This includes support for secure, standardized, and effective information exchange, which in turn facilitates the implementation of cost-effective circular business models.

Finally, this document provides recommendations on the type, content, and format of information to be shared, ensuring that the approach remains inclusive for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and safeguards sensitive data, while promoting qualitative, business-to-business communication in the circular economy.

This document reviews the characteristics and structures of some existing value networks as examples in accelerating a circular economy transition process.

As stated in the standard. 

Therefore, this standard aims to improve the circular economy within value chains by revising the current organizations with their own responsabilities and functions. These organizations aim to create value by achieving their goals.  

CEN TC 248 WG 39 - “Circular Economy for textile products and the textile chain” develops standards for the textile industry to define circular aspects on textiles.

The scope of ISO 5157 is to provide a framework of terms and definitions that will help understand the following developed standards within CEN TC 248 WG 39. 

This document provides general terms and definitions used in the textile value chain related to environmental and circular economy aspects including design, production, retail, use and reuse, recycling processes, repair and disposal.

Stated in ISO 5157

This NTA describes categories of circular textile products. It sets requirements for input flows and the circular strategies applied in order to be able to report on categories of circular textile products. This document applies to textile fibres and textile products. It does not apply to leather and fur.

The experts decided that it would be best that the terminology from this work item is added to the standard under development in ISO TC 38 WG35. The Vienna agreement was approved on this work item so that this standard will be further developed as an EN ISO. Working group 39 discussed all terms and formulated a proposal to taken up in the ISO 5157 - “Textiles - Environmental aspects — Vocabulary”.