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