With the contemporary sustainability challenges the world is facing, it is encouraging that circular economy is on the uprising and generates new type of products, services and business models. However, current laws and regulations are not always in line with the logic of a circular economy.The project Roundtable for circular economy aimed to identify challenges and opportunities regarding circularity and product related regulation and legislation, in order to facilitate circular economy in practice.
Important in doing so, is the collaboration and knowledge sharing between authorities and industry. As this is a new practice, there are different interpretations of legislation and regulation. Therefore, in this project, two round tables were organized with authorities and industry in order to have a joint discussion on these issues. This was combined with an interview study with relevant actors.One important goal of this project was to aid with guidance concerning challenges and opportunities regarding circularity and product related regulation and legislation, for a more circular and resource efficient society, as to avoid inaction and uncertainty on how to act circular and within the legal boundaries, now and in the future.
Another important goal was to have a platform for discussions on circular economy, where authorities and industry can create a common understanding of challenges and opportunities of circular economy.There are several conclusions from the project.
The most obvious conclusion is that the product-related legislation is:• difficult to interpret, as it involves many directives and laws which are not synchronized• ambiguous as to what may or may not be done and still fulfil legislation• is not adapted to the different strategies that a circular economy entails and that companies wish to act uponMore specifically, there is a need both for different circular concepts to be added to the legislation, and for these concepts to be defined and harmonized between the various legislations and directives.
The term "new product" in particular, is difficult to interpret in relation to circular flows and products designed for circularity and upgradeability. Other conclusions are that it would be easier for circular flows and business if product information could accompany the product during its service life and different uses, and that this, together with e.g. standardization, would facilitate a more pragmatic approach to risk assessment.
In addition to legislation, economic policy where costs for externalities are included, could be a powerful enabler for more circular flows.In summary, our study shows that the broad conversations that took place around the table with participants from authorities and industry have been much appreciated and opened up for a constructive dialogue with the potential to make a difference, but also that there are huge challenges of adapting today's product-related legislation to more circular products and flows, and that major changes are likely to be needed.