New standard sets the basis for circular design of products, writes ANEC
By Up to 80% of the environmental impact of products is determined at the design phase. A key aspect to the sustainability of products is their circularity, which can keep products and their materials in flow for a longer time. A freshly new standard can accelerate this transition leading to better products both for consumers and the environment, says ANEC, the European consumer voice in standardisation.
EN 45560: A guide to circular products and business models
Last week, the new European standard 45560 ‘Methods to achieve circular design of products’ has been completed in CEN CENELEC JTC 10 ‘Material efficiency aspects for products in scope of Ecodesign legislation’. It can now be found listed on the CEN-CENELEC website.
ANEC welcomes this standard after having been actively involved in its development to bring the consumer perspective. EN 45560:2024 aims to provide guidance on circular design to organisations designing or developing products under the scope of the Ecodesign legislation.
Think of it as a very hands-on toolbox for companies to examine relevant design features they can implement and how they link to their set circular targets. For each possible feature, the standard poses questions and provides examples as well as reference to additional relevant standards. Beyond the design, it includes guidance on how to communicate circular goals and relevant user information effectively.
In the context of the reaLIFEstandards project, ANEC gave the consumer angle to EN 45560 during its development and provided our support during the final vote of the text. Thanks to our work, the text was modified for instance to specify that spare parts should be available throughout the service life of the product.
Interplay with policy and related standards
As we transition from a linear to a more circular economy, legislation and standards can pave the way to more sustainable products.
EN 45560 complements existing standards on durability and repairability (EN 45552 and EN 45554) developed earlier by CEN CLC JTC 10 with a stronger focus on design aspects rather than focusing on how to assess these parameters.
While a horizontal standard, it can provide a very useful blueprint to apply to any product design or standard. It can also support the development of Ecodesign rules both horizontal and product specific.
Next steps
The final text of the standard is now available, and the next steps will be the translation and publication by all National Standardisation Bodies (NSBs), which should be finished by the end of May 2025.
