Luxembourg launches ‘Circularity Dataset Initiative’ | Knowledge Hub | Circle Economy Foundation
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Policy case
Luxembourg launches ‘Circularity Dataset Initiative’
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The Ministry of the Economy of Luxembourg has launched a Circularity Dataset Initiative, which aims to create and provide a regulated framework for circular data about products. This data will ideally follow products throughout value chains, giving insight on raw materials and finished goods all the way through to reuse and recycling stages. Previously, stakeholders experienced significant hurdles in finding reliable data on the circular characteristics of a product—an issue that this initiative aims to address. The programme seeks to improve transparency and reporting standards, moving on from the systems that have essentially forced producers to make a variety of datasets in a range of formats available to customers and product platforms. It is expected that the initiative will result in cost savings, increased value and increased circularity.

Problem

Stakeholders can frequently face difficulties procuring reliable data regarding a product’s circular characteristics. Industries can be secretive, and lack transparency in their reporting and information sharing; in addition, reporting isn’t standardised across sectors; this requires manufacturers customise datasets for various customers and product platforms.

Solution

 Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy has launched a ‘Circularity Dataset Initiative’, with the aim of creating a regulated framework—a new industry standard—for circular data about products, that will eventually be implemented at the European level. The data will apply to products throughout the value chains, including both raw materials and finished goods, and will track items from manufacturing, to use, to re-use or recycling. 

Outcome

Such regulation and standardisation brings significant cost-savings and increased value, and will facilitate further uptake of circular strategies across business and governments. It also ensures that the data provided is reliable, by verifying it through an external audit. Since its creation, more than 50 companies (including IKEA, Saint-Gobin, Tarkett and Astron Buildings) have joined the initiative. 

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