Understanding ISO 59020: 2024

The circular economy is a concept we’re hearing more and more about in both the public and private spheres. As a concrete sustainable development tool for businesses, this model advocates the reduction of resources, the protection of the environment and the extension of material lifetimes. The linear economy model is rapidly reaching its limit.

Quebec’s “Circularity Gap Report”, dated 2021, estimated Quebec’s overall economy was circular at 3.5%, doing poorly compared to a global circular economy of 8.6% in 2022.

In response to this development, in spring 2024 ISO developed a circular economy standardization via three new standards, ISO 59004 (Circular economy – Vocabulary, principles and recommendations for implementation), ISO 59010 (Circular economy – Recommendations for transition of business models and value networks) and ISO 59020 (Circular economy – Measurement and evaluation of circularity performance).

The course content addresses the ISO 59020 component aimed at equipping organizations to collect the necessary information and perform calculations to enable circular economy practices that minimize resource use and optimize circular flow, while contributing to sustainable development.  The different principles of measurement, the application of a measurement framework, the development of different measurement boundaries, circularity indicators, estimating impacts and communicating results are topics covered, popularized and illustrated by concrete company examples.  Workshops aimed at putting the concepts into practice are designed according to the concrete context of their organization in order to acquire competence.

Our instructor participated in Quebec’s “Circularity Gap Report” and in the development of these three standards with the ISO committee. She is also recognized for her competence, her normative knowledge, her vast practical experience and her pedagogical know-how. She knows how to create a dynamic and convivial atmosphere. She stimulates participants with questions and answers, exercises, examples and discussions.

Target clientele

This course is aimed at anyone wishing to measure circular performance in their organization, for internal purposes or in line with customer requirements. The course is relevant regardless of the size and nature of the organization’s activities.

Objective

At the end of this course, participants will be able to assess an organization’s circularity performance and communicate it accurately and appropriately, based on reliable data, while standing out to their network.

Content

The course covers the following topics:

• Measurement principles
• Frame
• Borders
• Measurement and data acquisition
• Evaluation and reporting

Prerequisites

General knowledge of the circular economy or Understanding ISO 59004

Evaluation

None

Rates

• 575$ / participant in virtual class
• 625$ / participant in classroom
• Request a quote for a private group session