What Are the Benefits of the New ISO 59020 Circularity Performance Standard?

ISO 59020 – the new circularity performance standard – has just been published. Why is it important?

What is ISO 59020?

ISO 59020 provides requirements and guidance to standardize how organizations collect and calculate data using mandatory and optional circularity indicators, ensuring consistent and verifiable results.

This international standard is crucial for transitioning to a circular economy. It provides a clear and structured methodology for measuring and assessing circularity performance and selecting system boundaries and appropriate indicators. It also supports interpreting data to evaluate circularity at numerous levels, from regional and inter-organizational to organizational and product-specific.

Businesses can effectively quantify progress and demonstrate commitment to sustainable practices, enhancing transparency, accountability and stakeholder trust.

Why is ISO 59020 important?

It helps organizations identify how effectively they minimize resource use and optimize the circular flow of materials. This standard helps organizations achieve environmental sustainability and align with the UN Agenda 2030 and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What are the benefits of ISO 59020 verification?

Verification follows successful completion of an audit. It allows you to:

• Utilize a clear framework for measuring circularity performance
• Support global sustainability goals
• Enhance the transparency and accountability of your environmental reporting
• Support strategic decision-making for sustainable resource management
• Align with the UN Agenda 2030 and UN SDGs 1-16

Why SGS?

As a sustainability leader for over 30 years, we provide impartial and objective verification services. Our team of circular economy experts ensures that your circularity performance is credible, consistent, transparent and more.

We follow ISO 59020’s principles rigorously, assessing everything you need. Our verification will help you collect and calculate your data to ensure alignment with the standard, before you showcase your success to stakeholders.

Contact us today to discuss your ISO 59020 verification needs and begin your journey toward effective circularity performance.

Register for our complimentary webinar on a circular economy and ISO 59020 here.

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.