Circular Economy and Bioeconomy
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What is the Circular Economy?
The circular economy is an economic model that is restorative and regenerative by design. It tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution.
Put simply, it means designing out waste.
A product will now be designed in such a way as to;
- be of high quality to allow potential to be reused
- be easily repairable
- have the potential to be refurbished or upgraded
- be suitable for recycling if required
Through product re-design, new business models, and new technologies and processes, circularity aims to optimize every part of a product's lifecycle, from raw material extraction to production and initial use, and several use-lives thereafter. This will help ‘’close the loop’’ of product lifecycles and bring significant benefits to the environment and the economy.
The role of standards
The standards that are developed in the context of the circular economy are in the domain of developing frameworks, guidance, supporting tools and requirements for the implementation of activities of all involved organizations, to maximize the contribution to Sustainable Development.
Standards help to implement the sustainable use of resources and energy while protecting consumers, workers and the environment. This objective can be best reached by closing resource loops and maintaining the value and quality of materials all along the cycle.
The role of NSAI
NSAI is deeply involved in the development of additional international and European standards related to sustainability in the area of the circular economy. Technical committee ISO/TC 323 within ISO is developing standards at the international level to develop frameworks, guidance and requirements for the implementation of circular economy activities of organisations, to maximise the contribution to sustainable development. At a European level within CEN, Technical Committee CEN/TC 473, are developing European Standards that will be adopted as Irish Standards that build on the International Standards (ISO) for Europe
A circular economy will deliver social and economic benefits, as well as the obvious environmental advantages. However, the changes will be significant and noticeable by all. It is for this reason that consensus and buy-in is attained from the wider public via consultation and engagement. NSAI will continue to help in this regard by promoting engagement from industry experts in the drafting of circular economy standards at the international and European levels, and by giving all members of the public opportunities to comment and provide input through regular public consultations of draft standards.
At the European level, within CEN, there is a technical committee TC 350 which deals with the sustainability of construction works. This committee had published documents such as I.S. EN 15643:2021 Sustainability of construction works – Framework for assessment of buildings and civil engineering works and I.S. EN 15978:2011 Sustainability of construction works – Assessment of environmental performance of buildings – Calculation method among others, all of which have been adopted as Irish standards by NSAI.
In addition, under CEN/TC 350, a new sub-committee (CEN/TC 350/SC 1) was established in 2021 to produce standards in the field of circular economy in the built environment, specifying principles, guidelines, and requirements to facilitate the transition to a more sustainable circular economy in all stages of current and subsequent life cycles, from design to de-construction and end-of-life scenarios. Both new and current construction projects will be subject to these guidelines.
NSAI has national specialists engaging in much of the aforementioned activity, and the national mirror committee for circular economy NSAI/TC 66 keeps track of all advances.
NSAI notes the publication of Ireland’s Circular Economy Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 and that this legislation gives a legal basis for Circular Economy in Ireland. NSAI recognises the positive opportunities that the Circular Economy will provide for Ireland and will continue to support the Circular Economy through its Standards Development Work, particular in NSAI/TC/66 Circular Economy Committee work.
A well-designed circular policy framework can identify co-benefits, so that environmental improvements also provide economic and social opportunities, and vice versa. Across Europe, countries are moving towards and adopting circular economy practices. The EU is pursuing its ‘European Green Deal’ strategy, which has the circular economy at its heart. At the national level, the Circular Economy Strategy provides a national policy framework for Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. The Circular Economy Act 2022 translates National policy into a statutory requirement. This Act places that Strategy, and the commitment to a circular economy, on a clear statutory footing.
NSAI are committed to providing a platform where stakeholders can work together to develop standards and technical documents in this critical area. NSAI are playing a pivotal role in the National Climate Action Plan (NCAP) and have brought together Irish Experts from various industries such as Construction, Electronic, Research and Innovation, Renewable Fuels etc to aid Ireland in Delivering on its commitments in the NCAP.
NSAI are represented on the CEN/TC 467 which is the European Standards Technical Committee on Climate Action (Climate adaptation and Climate Mitigation)
NSAI are always looking for experts to get involved in the production of standards at a National, European, and International level. If you are interested in finding out more about NSAI’s work in standards in Circular economy or getting involved as an expert in this group please contact NSAI at info@nsai.ie or check out how to get involved with Standards at Supporting Standards | NSAI
NSAI National Committee on Circular Economy: NSAI/TC 66
The structure of the National Committees is as follows:
NSAI/TC 66 is the overarching committee on the Circular Economy (CE) and 2 subcommittees (SC) report to it.
- NSAI/TC 66/SC 1 “Circular Economy”
- NSAI/TC 66/SC 2 “Circular Economy in the construction sector”
NSAI/TC 66/SC 1 “Circular Economy” facilitates participation by Irish experts in standards development under ISO/TC 323 “Circular Economy” the international technical committee and CEN/TC 473 "Circular Economy" the European committee.
This committee is developing the following international standards:
- ISO 59001 Circular economy management systems - Requirements
- ISO 59004 Circular economy - Framework and principles for implementation
- ISO 59010 Circular economy - Guidelines on business models and value chains
- ISO 59011 Circular economy - Organizing a value network towards circularity
- ISO 59020 Circular economy - Measuring circularity framework
This committee is developing the following European standards:
- CEN/TS 18333 Circular Economy - Practical information and guidance for the implementation of ISO 59004:2024 in Europe
- CEN/TS 00473001 Circular economy - Guidance on the implementation of ISO 59010 with consideration of European policies and regulations
- prEN 18364 Circular Economy - Product-related data and information sharing along value networks
- prEN 00473004 Circular Economy - Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) - Requirements and guidelines for Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO)
- 00473006 Circular economy - Validation of preparedness for product lifetime claim – Guidelines and requirements
- 00473005 Circular economy - Quality classification for remanufacturing processes
NSAI/TC66/SC2 “Circular Economy in the construction sector” facilitates participation by Irish experts in standards development under CEN/TC 350/SC 1 “Circular Economy In The Construction Sector”. Its parent committee is CEN/TC 350 - Sustainability of construction works.
CEN/TC 350/SC 01 has established 2 working groups (WG’s) and the NSAI/TC66/SC2 participates in the 2 WGs.
- CEN/TC 350/SC 01/WG 01 "Framework, principles and definitions"
- CEN/TC 350/SC 01/WG 02 "Gap analysis, conclusions and recommendations"
Standardisation in the field of circular construction can support
- CPR: Construction Products Regulation
- CE marking: product requirements in harmonized standards
Relevance for circular construction (e.g.):
- (Mandatory) use of CE product certificates (e.g. recycled content, requirements for next life cycles)
- Agreement on how to measure and assess circularity (for the whole life cycle including procurement.)
- Circular data formats and basic requirements
For more information about the CPR including a CE marking “step by step” guide, see the European Commission’s DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs website.
CE marking for construction products - video
NSAI/TC 66 Engagement by stakeholders
Stakeholders that are engaged in this work include the following:
- Industry
- County Councils
- Research Centres
- Academic
- DCCAE / EPA
- IBEC
- Circulaire (IMR)
- ReDiscovery Centre
- Consultants
- Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage / OPW
- Construction Industry Federation
What is the Bioeconomy?
Bioeconomy is inherently part of the broader circular economy, with the potential to use waste streams and residue materials of biological origin to sustainably replace, for example, fossil-based materials, chemicals and fuels.
The bioeconomy can be defined as the production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste streams into value-added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products, and bioenergy.
Bioeconomy cuts across a range of sectors, including agriculture, the marine, forestry, water and waste management, energy, as well as biopharmaceuticals.
Ireland is well-placed to be a significant participant in the strategic bioeconomy opportunity. Ireland is currently working on the development of its next national bioeconomy strategy.
A new European Union bioeconomy strategy, A Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy, was published in November 2025. The EU bioeconomy strategy defines bioeconomy as:
“the activities that deliver sustainable solutions based on biological resources to create added value. These include products, services, science and technologies benefiting sectors ranging from agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture to value chains based on biomass processing, biomanufacturing and biotechnologies such as in food, health, energy, industry, ecosystem and other services. Biological resources include genetic resources, as well as primary and secondary biomass, such as by-products and residues, and biogenic carbon captured through innovative technologies.”
NSAI has established a national committee for the bioeconomy, 'NSAI/TC 169 - Bioeconomy'.
The committee mirrors the work of the European Standards Committee CEN/TC 411 Bio-based products committee and will monitor and contribute to the review of existing standards and the writing of new standards.