Will ISO 59000 help to push forwards the circular economy?
9 July 2026
Ann Stevenson, Circular Economy Lead
The use of the term ‘standard’ to mean a consistent point of reference dates back to at least the 12th Century (and possibly even earlier) – over the years this has evolved to encompass the ideas of ‘quality’ and ‘principles’ or ‘rules’ by which judgements can be made.
By the 19th Century the idea of standardisation had become popularised by industrialists, and in 1901 the British Engineering Standards Committee – the predecessor to today’s British Standards Institute (BSI) – was established, putting the UK at the forefront of standards development.
This trend has continued with the advent of ISO: the ubiquitous ISO 9001 quality management standard (which1.5 million organisations now achieve each year) is a quality standard was first developed by the BSI in 1979 (BS 5750)
Meanwhile the 1992, BS 7750 standard resulting in the subsequent introduction of ISO 14001 environmental management systems standard in 1996; this standard now issues more than 680,000 certificates annually.
In 2017 the BSI launched its BS 8001 standard (which is currently under review)[i], and was the first to centre around the circular economy. This has become the precursor for the relatively new ISO 59000 family of standards, which first launched in 2024.
If we’re serious about transitioning to a circular economy, can national and international standards play a critical role? They certainly have the potential to do so. Like all standards, the ISO 59000 family is about playing fair, reducing potential harm, increasing credibility and transparency and creating a level playing field – all of this is just what the circular economy needs.
So why isn’t every business talking about, if not adopting, these new circular economy management standards? In reality, a confluence of factors has limited the take-up of ISO 59000 outside the UK – but some of these barriers to adoption are starting to fall.
Understanding and knowledge
One of the primary limiting factors to date has been low awareness of both the value of the standard and the value of transitioning to a circular economy.
I recently presented ISO 59000 at an industry meeting focused on sustainability where most people present had never heard of the standard. Searching on the internet or business-centric social media also reveals limited traction for the standard.
Alongside this, the predominant narrative that increased recycling is ‘the circular solution’ – and the subsequent focus on targets, policy, campaigns and infrastructure development around this single issue – draws the focus away from higher value circular economy principles that can deliver greater social, economic and environmental benefits.
If those wearing sustainability hats within organisations, governments or government-funded bodies aren’t focused on higher value circularity actions and talking a common language (and looking at how the ISO 59000 family of standards can support this) then we can’t expect to see meaningful progress being made beyond recycling.
This would be a shame, because ISO 59004 is designed to ease this transition. It provides a common vision, a consistent understanding of the principles of a circular economy and offers a shared vocabulary of what a circular economy is.
Beyond this the remaining ISO 59000 family provides practical business orientation, including step-by-step guidance on understanding current states of play, planning and preparing for a circular transition, and establishing how value and progress can be measured.
Certification
Being able to evidence alignment with a standard in a consistent and independently verified way gives credibility to organisations’ claims while driving that sense of operation on a level-playing field.
It is well-established that end users of products are more trusting of independently verified certifications, and this can be seen in the huge uptake of the ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certifications as markers of good business practice.
If these are so ubiquitous – and the value of independent verification and standardisation so useful – then why has ISO 59000 certification not yet been widely adopted?
The simple truth is that at the time of writing it is not possible to become certified to ISO 59000.
Change is on the horizon: ISO 59001 is in development, and this will be the first certifiable circular economy practices standard. The draft standards are available on the BSI website, and there is an opportunity for businesses to get involved as a ‘standards maker’ and provide input on these ahead of them being finalised.
Legislation and policy
Initially set out as frameworks and guidance, the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards are now seen as key to demonstrating legislative compliance. This transformation shows how strong legislation and policies are instrumental in supporting the rollout and wider adoption of standards.
The ISO 59000 family of standards is still very much at this framework and guidance stage; while it is already undergoing development for its next iteration, the regulatory, policy and procurement drivers prioritising circularity beyond recycling need to move faster.
With several pieces of UK[ii] and European[iii] legislation due to come into effect, 2026 may end up being seen as a pivotal year for the circular economy to become a more dominant expectation of value chains: with that comes scrutiny and the need to evidence action.
Other standards in the ISO 59000 family can help organisations keep track and align with legislation and policy as it develops. ISO 59010 is the go-to for understanding where your organisation sits in the wider circular economy picture, potential risks, and what goals are best suited to you when establishing a tailored action plan.
For those involved in collecting, sorting or recovery of materials (and preparation of materials for recycling activities) a dedicated standard exists in ISO 59014. This aims to support the sustainability and traceability of what happens to materials destined for recycling.
There are eight principles and 75 ‘requirements’ to abide by but, if a responsible organisation gets this right, compliance can build confidence throughout the value chain in the sourcing of secondary materials.
Metrics
Measuring circularity can be an absolute minefield. There are so many ways of making circularity claims that trust in such claims tends to be low.
ISO 59020 has been introduced to enable consistent and verifiable measurement and assessment of circularity performance aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development goals. Guidance is included on how to standardise data collection and carry out calculations and even which circularity metrics to apply.
Meanwhile, ISO 59040 aims to standardise how organisations share information about product circularity whilst maintaining confidentiality. It provides guidance for defining and exchanging product circularity data sheets: outlining the type, content and format of information to be included so that everyone is clear and consistent on which pre-defined circular features (which can be applied to any product regardless of sector) apply to a specific product.
While the BS8001 standard is a practical organisational guidance standard for implementing circular economy principles, it will not replace existing measurement frameworks; instead, it will aim to help organisations understand and use measurement appropriately, while signposting to existing standards and metrics (such as ISO 59020).
Where does ISO 59000 go from here?
Will standards help the transition to a circular economy? Absolutely. With a burning need for consistency, clarity and better definitions around what a circular transition looks like in practice, we need an effective circular economy standard now more than ever.
The real opportunity for industry and policymakers alike is to engage constructively with the development of ISO 59000, supporting the roll out of a standard that creates a level playing where industry – in the UK and globally – can thrive.
Want to learn more about ISO 59000 and BS 8001?
Get in touch with our circular economy experts.
[i] While originally launched in 2017, the BS8001 standard is currently under review by the BSI. This will likely include updating the guidance to reflect modern advancements since 2017 in the circular economy landscape, as well as reviewing feedback from industry.
[ii] Scotland’s Circular Economy Bill passed in 2024 provides a routemap for action to 2030. Wales’ Beyond Recycling strategy is in its fifth year and as recycling rates reach high levels, attention is moving to reuse and repair, infrastructure change and higher value business models. England’s Circular Economy Growth Plan is expected to be published in 2026. Mayoral authorities are now expected to incorporate circularity into local growth plans or spatial development strategies.
[iii] Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Due Diligence Directives (CSRD/CSDDD) are already in force requiring member states to bring in laws and regulations by July 2028 to ensure companies identify and address the most material negative social and environmental impacts across value chains. Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) standardising packaging rules across the EU will apply from 12th August 2026. Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) setting strict standards for durability, reusability recycled content etc, entered into force in 2024 and continues its phased journey that includes use of digital product passports and banning destruction of unsold goods. Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo) regarding green claims, official certifications and product obsolescence comes into force in September. The Circular Economy Act will affect a range of existing legislation and introduce mandatory requirements is set to be proposed by the Commission before December.