Presentazione a supporto dell'intervento di Laura Cutaia (Presidente UNI/CT 057 “Economia circolare”) al webinar Standard circolari:i progetti UNI e ISO a supporto dell’economia circolare del 9 marzo 2021

1. Principi, framework, definizioni e modelli di business
dell’Economia circolare: le ISO 59004 e 59010
Laura Cutaia - ENEA
Presidente UNI/CT 057

2. ISO/TC 323 – circular economy
GL01 - GL02 - GL03 – TS Nazionale GL04 – TR nazionale

3. I lavori svolti dal WG1 e WG2 dell’ISO/TC 323
• WG1 – Framework, principles, terminology, and management system
standard (ISO 59004) [norma cui seguono, a cascata, le altre]
• DT1: Scope, Concept of Circular Economy, Terms &
• Definitions and Principles
• DT2: Drivers and Structure of the standard
• DT3: Domains of Action
• DT4: Framework for Implementation
• DT5: Other issues
• WG2 – Guidelines on business models and value networks (ISO
59010)

4. Meeting dei WG1 e WG2
WG1
• 19-21/01/2021
• 02-03/12/2020
• 15/09/2020
• 16-18/06/2020
WG2
• 19-21/01/2021
• 21/10/2020 (28.10, 05.11)
• 16-18/06/2020

5. WG1 – ISO 59004 - Timeline

6. WG2 - ISO 59010 - Timeline

7. WG1 – ISO 59004 – Schema del documento
1. Scope
2. Normative references
3. Terms and definitions
4. Fundamentals
5. Principles of implementation
6. Domains
7. Framework for C.E.
implementation
8. Other issues
1. C.E. concept, related terminology,
principles and implementation frameworks
2. Within the ISO
3. “language” to be used
4. Still under evaluation
5. Set principles on which design of CE is
based
6. Key steps along the value chain to take
practical actions for implementing CE
7. Flexible approach to guide the process of
transition towards circularity in an
organization (micro, meso, macro level)
8. Other issues to be taken into consideration
for practical actions

8. WG1 – ISO 59004 - Scope
• This document describes the circular economy concept and the related
terminology, principles, and implementation frameworks.
• It is intended to be used by organizations, either individually or
collectively, regardless of type, size, location, and complexity, that are
seeking to understand, and contribute to circular economy while aiming
for sustainable development.
• The concept of organizations includes, but is not limited to sole-trader,
company, corporation, firm, enterprise, authority, partnership, charity or
institution, or part or combination thereof, whether incorporated or not,
public or private (e.g., foundation, union, association, agency, municipality,
region, country, intergovernmental agencies, etc.).

9. WG1 – ISO 59004 - Terms and definitions (on going work)
• Circular economy
• Economic system
• Resource
• Value
• Product
• Organization
• Waste
• Circular flow of resources
• Sustainable development
• Technical / biological cycle
• Organization
• Interested
parties/stakeholder
• Sphere of influence
• Externality
• Supply chain
• Value chain
• Business model
• Indicator
• Circularity indicator (and
system)
• …….
• ……..

10. • 93 termini e
definizioni (lavori
in corso)
• 53 con wording ed in
fase di revisione
• 40 in corso di
redazione
• Circular economy
interlinkages
WG1 – ISO 59004 - Terms and definitions

11. WG1 – ISO 59004 - Principles of implementation
• A circular economy is designed based on the following principles:
• Systems perspective
• Long-term perspective
• Value creation
• Effective and Efficient resources utilization
• Mutual Collaboration
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Inclusiveness

12. WG1 – ISO 59004 - Domains
• Domain of action: well-defined set of potential action(s) that can be made
at some defined step of the value chain
• The descriptions of the actions considered in this domain will help
organizations or groups of organizations to analyze in a standardized way
strategies and resulting business models, thus facilitating mutual
understanding and comparison between them
• Identifying steps to consider will facilitate a better understanding of what
organization and group organizations are doing

13. WG1 – ISO 59004 – Domains
• Areas of actions of
organizations and
groups of
organizations along
the value chain for a
circular model
• For each one to be
considered:
• Economical
• Environmental and
• Societal

14. WG1 – ISO 59004 – Domains / areas of actions (e.g.)
• Design: Consider eco-design with a more circular perspective
Dimension Example of themes to be considered to ensure that actions relative to
ecodesign with a more circular perspective are considered in a
sustainable perspective (illustration/non exhaustive)
Environmental For example: Does the design create positive environmental impact and
reduces negative environmental externalities that may be damaging to
environment in a life cycle perspective.
Economic For example: do you consider the logistic of resources and products when
using new materials and component more durable, reparable and modular?
How can products that contain significant amounts of recycled material be
incentivized through tax or other measures?
Societal For example: Does this create a positive impact on inhabitants and workers?
1

15. WG1 – ISO 59004 - Framework for circular economy
implementation
• The proposed framework for Circular Economy (CE) implementation has been
designed as a flexible approach to guide the process of transition towards
circularity in an organization, which can operate at different levels from micro,
meso and macro levels.
• The framework is meant to be general enough to be adapted to the specific
needs and requirements of an organization while providing enough detail to
operationalize the concept of CE suggesting steps and stages into this transition
and encouraging the translation and embedding of CE principles into
organizational policies, practices and procedures.
• The framework is structured as an iterative process and the order of
implementation of the different stages can be altered and adapted to reflect the
reality of the organization.

16. WG1 – ISO 59004 – Framework / levels
• Framework for planning and implementing the CE that is comprehensive
and applicable to all kinds of organizations. Specifically, it will take into
account three system levels of organizations:
• System level area: cities, countries, municipalities, states, provinces and
international agencies;
• System level inter-organizations: all inter-industries and inter-firm networks;
• System level organization: this applies to any type of organization (e.g. government
agency, private, public or NGO).

17. WG1 – ISO 59004 - Framework
• 1. Framing
• 2. Scoping
• 3. Defining a business
model, business case and
its feasibility
• 4. Piloting
• 5. Implementing
• 6. Monitoring, measuring
and reviewing
• 7. Reporting

18. WG1 – ISO 59004 – Other issues
Economic Technical
Policy and
regulatory Behavioural
Organizationa
l
Waste regulation (8.2) X X X X X
Accounting and finance (8.3) X X X
Liability and insurance (8.4) X X X
Information management (8.5) X X X X X
Technology and Infrastructure (8.6) X X X X X
Marketing or public awareness (8.7) X X X X X
Change management (8.8) X X
• The following broad thematic areas might help organizations to identify
areas of both risks and opportunities that could affect delivery of their
circular economy objectives:
• Economic
• Technical
• Policy and regulatory
• Behavioural
• Organizational

19. WG2 – ISO 59010 – Schema del documento
1. Scope
2. Normative references
3. Terms and definitions
4. Set the boundary
5. Identify gaps and opportunities
for improvement
6. Transform the value network to a
circular business ecosystem
7. Transform the business model
8. Continual improvement
1. Guidelines for O/s for transforming its
business models and value networks from
linear to circular [….]
2. [ ISO 590004]
3. [ ISO 59004 + other 12 more
specified/added]
4. Mapping of the O’s existing value chain and
its associated value network
5. Gaps and opportunities for improvement
identification starting from a baseline
assessment [ ISO 59020]
6. “Re-design” the organization of value
network
7. Modify the business model(s) accordingly
8. Revision of the common strategy

20. WG2 – Guidelines on business models and value networks
(ISO 59010)
• This document [….] aims to provide guidance for organizations wishing
transform their business models and value networks to more circular
ones.
• In addition […] addresses the transformation of the value network surrounding the
organization, which is crucial to achieve an effective improvement.
• […..] a survey of existing business practices, and guidance (including
literature) was conducted to characterize the status quo and to obtain
insight on future directions. The results of the survey […] show that linear-
oriented resource conservation practices still dominate the world (e.g.,
basic recycling) and leaving many opportunities for transformative change.

21. WG2 – ISO 59010 - Scope
• This document provides guidelines for an organization or a group of
organizations seeking to transform its business models and value
networks from linear to circular ones including the externalities of the
organization and its business environment such as available social
infrastructure, political programs, and stakeholders.
• This document applies to any organization regardless of its size, sector or
region.

22. Architecture of
ISO 59010
• Clause 4 provides guidance on how to establish the project’s scope by setting the boundary that defines
organization’s operations as well as its value network.
• Clause 5 suggests how to assess the existing conditions, identify gaps and opportunities for
improvement, set goals, and determine overall strategies to achieve them.
• Clause 6 provides guidance on how to shift an organization’s value network to a circular business
ecosystem (i.e. a community of circular business models interlinked as a value network of mutually
beneficial and symbiotic organizations).
• Clause 7 suggests how to transform an organization’s business model from linear to circular.
• Clause 8 focuses on how to establish a process of continual improvement.

23. WG2 – ISO 59010 - Set the boundary - Map the value chain
and its associated value network

24. WG2 – ISO 59010 - Set the boundary
• To set an appropriate boundary, an organization may wish to take into
account its sphere of influence. The sphere of influence represents the
area of the value network where the organization can influence entities
within for improving circularity in the area as a whole
1. open-ended linear value chain that
extends from raw materials to
waste generation (left).
2. closing the loop, it becomes a
circular value chain (middle).
3. Then the organization can challenge
itself to connect multiple value
chains that in turn forms a wider
value network that becomes a
circular business ecosystem (right).

25. WG2 - ISO 59010 - Identify gaps and opportunities for
improvement + set the objectives
• To adequately assess current state/level of a business model and value network’s
circularity, it is recommended that key performance indicators (KPIs) be selected to
establish a baseline. [ ISO 59020]
• The organization should identify the gaps between the current status […]and that of the
desired future. These gaps […] lead to the identification of the hot spots in the value
network, which indicate opportunities for targeted action, leading to improvements in
circularity.
• The organization should determine its overall objectives reflecting KPIs […] and taking
into account the gaps and opportunities for improvement [….] […] as well as the
materiality for the organization.
• materiality analyses: A common method is to create a matrix with the vertical axis representing
stakeholder’s expectations of the organization and the horizontal axis representing the organization’s
own business priorities.

26. WG2 - ISO 59010 – overall strategy
• After the objectives are set, the next step is to develop a strategy to
achieve shift from current state to the desired state of circularity.
• Clause 6 discusses strategies designed to achieve eco-system circularity,
• Clause 7 focuses on strategies for transforming an organization’s business
model.
• A successful strategy should include timelines with expected interim
results and action plans.

27. WG2 - ISO 59010 -Transform the value network to a
circular business ecosystem
• Implement governance over the value network (Clarify rights, roles ,
responsibilities, Activate communication between internal and external
stakeholders, Ensure the transparency of decision-making processes,
Maintain impartiality and inclusivity of members, Facilitate innovation
through the collaboration among members)
• Establish common infrastructure (The value network should be
transformed to a circular business ecosystem: Mutual benefit sharing,
Innovation synergy between partners, Antitrust considerations)
• Achieve common objectives and strategy (including timelines with
expected interim results and action plans; KPI common and specific).

28. WG2 - ISO 59010 - Transform the business model
• Key components of business model:
• Patterns
• Elements
• Tools
• Address economic rationalization
• Address financing and investor
relations
• Determine objectives and strategy
• Transform business processes

29. WG2 - ISO 59010 - Continual improvement
• Improve the value network, with the revision of (e.g.)
• The performance achieved
• The size of the boundary
• The diversity of members
• The symbiotic relationship
• The governance performance and structure
• Improve the business model of the organization, with revision of the
strategy for (e.g)
• performance achieved
• business model patterns and elements

30. Un nuovo TR per l’uso e la
gestione efficente delle risorse
nell’economia circolare
Proposta UNI/CT 057 al TC323 ISO
(durante la plenaria di gennaio 2021)

32. Grazie per l’attenzione!
Un particolare ringraziamento allo staff UNI, a
tutti coloro che hanno contributo alla raccolta
di buone pratiche (e che lo faranno nel
prossimo futuro) e a tutti gli esperti che stanno
contribuendo ai lavori e che vorranno
contribuire ancora nei lavori a venire!
laura.cutaia@enea.it