Data and the circular economy: what definitions and interactions?
Jérôme Dierickx: "Today, data is an essential element for making informed decisions in all sectors. In the circular economy, it plays a key role in enabling the circular properties of products to be identified precisely and therefore optimising their end-of-life. With structured, reliable information, it becomes possible to encourage recycling, reconditioning or repair, thereby extending the use of products. Conversely, the linear economy is still largely based on a model of extraction, consumption and disposal, underlining the importance of a transition towards more sustainable practices."
How is data a cornerstone of the circular economy?
"To reuse or recycle a product, it is crucial to know a certain amount of information about the product, such as its composition and how it was produced or designed. But modern products are often a complex collection of different components... These components come from different parts of the world, making them difficult to identify and manage at the end of their life. Making this information accessible via a standardised format is therefore a major challenge for industry and consumers alike."
That's why this data also needs to be standardised, structured and sustainable?
"Absolutely. As I said earlier, a product may contain materials from different countries and be subject to different regulations. For example, does the term 'recyclable' in China have the same meaning as in Europe? Without a common framework, interpretation becomes complex. Hence the need for an international standard like ISO 59040, which provides a universal terminology and structures the information in a way that everyone can understand."
To give a product a second life, it is necessary to clearly identify the information relating to the materials that make it up.
Hence the introduction of ISO 59040?
"Indeed, but before describing this standard and its rationale, it should be pointed out that it is a Luxembourg initiative, supported by the Ministry of the Economy. It is one of the first standards to come directly from the Grand Duchy, and we can be proud of it.
ISO 59040 - PCDS is a document structuring all the circular data on a product. Acting as a veritable identity card, this sheet contains around 130 questions such as: Can this product be recycled? Does it contain toxic components? Recycled or reused content? Can it be repaired? The answers are either "true" or "false", guaranteeing absolute clarity. For quantification information, there are defined numerical intervals, which do not conflict with industrial secrecy relating to the composition or manufacture of products. The format allows digital evidence to be added while respecting each company's industrial secrets.
How is Terra Matters involved in this subject in practical terms?
"We are an economic interest group founded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to democratise and facilitate the adoption of the ISO 59040 standard, both in the Grand Duchy and internationally.
We have developed a platform enabling companies to create ISO-compliant PCDSs, with optimised support and a user-friendly interface. It takes an average of 1.5 hours to create a PCDS, which is a minimal investment given its impact.
Our platform is not limited to creating PCDSs. It also offers the possibility of exchanging or consulting PCDSs to obtain complete information on a product. Finally, you can verify the authenticity of a PCDS. The verification tool incorporates an upload system to confirm the validity of the document using digital signatures."
What are your prospects for the future?
"We are currently working on integrating new functionalities to strengthen the adoption of CPSD. By mid-2025, we will launch APIs to automatically export PCDS to third-party platforms. This will facilitate data exchange, improve interoperability and simplify access to circular information for all players in the value chain - a key issue for us.
In parallel, we are developing a PCDS audit functionality. A company wishing to verify a PCDS will be able to commission a third-party auditor to confirm its validity. This initiative aims to guarantee even greater transparency and confidence in the data produced, thereby strengthening its credibility on the market.
Beyond the technical aspects, we are carrying out intensive work on the governance of the PCDS to ensure its alignment with the needs of manufacturers, regulators and the various stakeholders. The creation of a genuine ecosystem around the CPSD is a priority: we are working with experts, institutions and platforms to structure a solid framework to enable its widespread adoption.
Finally, we are ensuring that the PCDS meets the requirements of current and developing regulations. It must be compatible with key legislative frameworks such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP), Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and the Green Claims Directive. By anticipating these developments, we are ensuring that the PCDS becomes a reference tool for regulatory compliance and accelerating the circular economy."