TS EN 45560

TS EN 45560 sets out a method for achieving circular product designs and guides organizations on how to embed that method into product design and development. The standard is aimed at turning circularity goals into practical design rules so that products can be developed in line with chosen circular business models and applicable legislative objectives.

How the circular design approach is structured

At the centre of the document is life cycle thinking. In general technical terms, this means looking beyond the use phase and considering material selection, manufacture, distribution, service life and end-of-life together. Circular design supports decisions that make reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling easier to achieve. The standard focuses on material efficiency and provides a structured way to think about reducing environmental impacts through design choices.

Where the document applies, and where it does not

This document is not a management system standard; it is positioned as a method and guidance document for product design rather than a framework for managing an organization as a whole. It can be applied when no product-specific or product group standard exists, and may then serve as a reference to support consistency and harmonization across product areas and supply chains or networks. The note excludes food, feed, medicinal products for human use, veterinary medicinal products, living plants, animals and microorganisms, products of human origin, and products of plants and animals relating directly to their future reproduction.

• Helps organizations translate circular business targets into product design rules.
• Provides principles, requirements and guidance for integrating circularity into design and development.
• Supports balanced design decisions where environmental performance, function, safety and trade-offs must all be considered.
• Can serve as a reference where no product-specific or product group standard is available.