TS ISO 59040

TS ISO 59040 defines a structured approach for exchanging product information that supports circular economy interoperability through a product circularity data sheet (PCDS). It focuses on how circularity-related information about a product can be communicated consistently between organizations without revealing confidential business information. The standard is therefore centered on the information framework, not on a single product category or a narrow test method.

How the PCDS is organised

The document specifies requirements for an organization to complete a PCDS when acquiring or supplying products. This applies regardless of the organization’s type, size or nature, which makes the method broadly usable across supply chains. In practice, a PCDS brings together selected product circularity statements so that the resulting information set can be exchanged in a common format and understood in a comparable way by different parties.

Managing circularity information in practice

In general technical terms, product circularity information may relate to reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling, along with product characteristics that influence those pathways. TS ISO 59040 also gives guidance on managing and sharing a PCDS, as well as on creating a PCDS template. Its value lies in helping organizations move circular economy data from isolated internal records into a shareable, interoperable form.

• Provides a methodology for exchanging product circularity information in a common structure.
• Specifies requirements for completing a PCDS when acquiring or supplying products.
• Defines the reporting format used to create a PCDS template.
• Uses product circularity statements selected according to product characteristics.
• Supports information exchange without disclosing confidential business information.