Circular economy zone

Circular economy service solutions

Circular Economy Services

Circular Economy Solutions

 

Transitioning to a circular economy is becoming a strategic priority for organizations seeking to reduce environmental impacts, improve resource efficiency, and achieve their ESG objectives. To support this transition, SGS provides comprehensive solutions that help businesses integrate circularity into their products and operations.

Our services span certification, assessment, material characterization, and performance testing, enabling organizations to enhance product sustainability, demonstrate compliance with evolving international requirements, and strengthen their competitiveness in global markets.

Explore our key circular economy services, including Zero Waste Certification, Product Eco-design, and Sustainable Packaging Design, and discover how SGS can help accelerate your sustainability transformation.

Product Ecodesign

SGS provides assessment, certification, and testing services based on the EN 4555x series for energy-related products. These services support compliance with EU circular economy and ecodesign requirements while helping organizations improve product sustainability, resource efficiency, and circularity throughout the product lifecycle.

Our services cover:

  • EN 45552:2020 – General method for the assessment of the durability of energy-related products
  • EN 45553:2020 – General method for the assessment of the ability to remanufacture energy-related products
  • EN 45554:2020 – General methods for the assessment of the ability to repair, reuse and upgrade energy-related products
  • EN 45555:2019 – General methods for assessing the recyclability and recoverability of energy-related products
  • EN 45556:2019 – General method for assessing the proportion of reused components in energy-related products
  • EN 45557:2020 – General method for assessing the proportion of recycled material content in energy-related products
  • EN 45558:2019 – General method to declare the use of critical raw materials in energy-related products
  • EN 45559:2019 – Methods for providing information relating to material efficiency aspects of energy-related products

SGS helps organizations evaluate product sustainability, support regulatory compliance, and meet growing market expectations for circular products.

Sustainable Packaging Services

SGS provides comprehensive sustainability assessment and testing services for packaging materials, helping organizations improve packaging circularity, verify recycled content, and meet evolving environmental and regulatory requirements.

Recycled Content Certification:

Based on ISO 14021 and EN 15343, SGS conducts material audits and certification to assess pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials, accurately determine recycled content percentages, and support reliable environmental claims.

Recyclability Assessmen:

SGS provides recyclability assessments based on international standards and methodologies, including:

Assessment Applicable Materials Standards
Plastic Packaging Recyclability Assessment PET, PP, PE, PS (other materials upon request) EN 13430:2004 + SGS in-house methods
Paper Packaging Recyclability Assessment Paper boxes, bags, cartons
  • EcoPaper Loop Method: Central Europe Grant No: 4CE555P3
  • PTS Method: PTS-RH 021/97(2012)
  • APCO-Standardised Test Method for Repulpability Assessment (Version 1 – December 2022)
  • GB/T 42944-2023 "Determination of Effective Recyclable Components of Paper, Cardboard, and Paper Products"
  • "Recyclability Assessment Methods for Paper, Cardboard, and Paper Products" Method A
  • "Recyclability Assessment Methods for Paper, Cardboard, and Paper Products" Method B
  • T/CNFIA 161-2022 "Eco-Friendly Coated Paper and Cardboard Materials for Food Contact"
  • TCPA 01-2021 "Water-based Coated Paper Cups"
Other Packaging Materials Upon request SGS in-house methods
Restricted Substance Testing for Packaging:

Testing is conducted to meet the requirements of EU PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), US TPCH (Toxics in Packaging Clearing House), and France AGEC (Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy Act), covering the following substances:

Controlled Substance USA (TPCH) EU (PPW) France Packaging Regulations (Environmental Code R.543-42~R.543-74)
Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr6+) Total < 100 ppm Total < 100 ppm Total < 100 ppm
Phthalates Total < 100 ppm    
PFAS Not detected    
Mineral Oils (MOAH, MOSH)     From 2025 MOSH (C16~C35) < 1000 ppm MOAH (1~7 aromatic rings) < 1000 ppm MOSH (3~7 aromatic rings) < 1 ppm
Other Packaging Sustainability Assessments:
  • Assessment for energy recovery (EN 13431)
  • Biodegradability and compostability assessment (EN 13432)
  • Hazardous Substances and Heavy Metals Testing (SGS in-house methods)
  • Relevant Quality Testing

Recycled Material Content Certification Services

SGS provides recycled material content certification and testing services based on international standards, helping organizations accurately determine recycled content, support credible environmental claims, and enhance supply chain transparency.

Recycled Material Certification Services

SGS conducts material audits and certification according to international standards, evaluating products made with pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials, calculating recycled content percentages, and providing certification services to support reliable recycled content claims.

Standard ISO 14021 EN 15343 EN 45557
Scope All materials Plastic packaging only Energy-related products - all materials
Certificate SGS Green Mark-RCC SGS Green Mark-RCC (SAC) SGS Green Mark-RCC
Issuing Body SGS Singapore SGS Singapore SGS Singapore
Testing Requirement Yes Yes Yes

Recycled Plastic Certification Service: EN 15343

Recycled Material Content Testing

As plastic recycling becomes increasingly important for sustainable development and supply chain management, SGS provides recycled plastic content analysis using advanced instruments and scientific testing methods. Our services help organizations accurately determine recycled material proportions and verify compliance with international requirements.

Beyond verifying recycled content in finished products, companies are increasingly focusing on supply chain quality control to ensure that supplied materials meet declared recycled content levels. SGS applies qualitative and quantitative testing methods to verify recycled content in raw materials and final products, supporting incoming quality control (IQC), quality assurance, and sustainable product development.

Applicable Industry Needs:

Supply Chain Management:

  • Verify recycled material content from suppliers and reduce risks associated with inaccurate material claims.
  • Support compliance with customer requirements and international regulations while improving supply chain transparency.

Quality Assurance:

  • Verify recycled plastic content to ensure materials meet design specifications and performance requirements.
  • Reduce the risk of material inconsistency and maintain product quality and reliability.
Recycled Material Quality Testing Services

SGS provides comprehensive testing of recycled materials’ physical properties, chemical composition, and environmental safety to ensure material quality and performance consistency.

  • Material Composition Analysis
  • Mechanical Performance Testing
  • Environmental Aging Testing
  • Failure Analysis

Recyclability Assessment

SGS provides recyclability assessments for packaging materials and products, including reverse logistics evaluation, to support circular product development and enhance sustainability performance.

Zero Waste and Sustainable Design Services

As global challenges related to climate change and resource scarcity continue to grow, the circular economy has become a key focus for governments and industries worldwide. International standards, including the ISO 59000 series and BS 8001:2017, promote closed-loop material cycles, recycling, and energy recovery to minimize waste generation and support sustainable business practices.

SGS Zero Waste Services help organizations establish effective waste management systems and improve resource recovery performance through a structured assessment approach.

The service is conducted in two stages:
  • Stage 1: Waste Flow Assessment - Review existing waste streams and establish measurement and traceability records.
  • Stage 2: On-site Audit and Certification - SGS conducts on-site audits and measurements to verify waste management practices and ensure consistent performance over a three-month period.
Zero Waste Rating Levels:

Based on waste recovery rates:

  • Diamond Level: 100%
  • Platinum Level: 95–99%
  • Gold Level: 90–94%
  • Silver Level: 80–89%

Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) Services

The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) introduces enhanced environmental requirements for products, focusing on resource efficiency, durability, reparability, recyclability, and sustainability throughout the product lifecycle.

SGS provides independent third-party services to help organizations understand and meet ESPR requirements, support sustainable product development, and strengthen market competitiveness.

Our services include:

  • Product design consultation and certification aligned with ESPR requirements
  • Material efficiency and recycled content certification
  • Product reparability and upgradability assessment
  • Product recyclability and circularity analysis
  • Product environmental and carbon footprint information disclosure

Have questions about regulations or testing?
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Further Reading

  1. 全氟羧酸(PFCA)與其鹽類與相關化合物

  2. 出口歐美包裝回收標示要注意，SGS一同與您超前部署

  3. 【70週年永續ESG系列專題】歐美及國際包材法規趨勢 創造永續綠色包材

  4. PPWR落地倒數：歐盟包材及包材廢棄物法規將於2026年8月中旬開始管制

  5. 美國TPCH發佈包材要求更新
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