Legal Platform for the Circular Economy

Research project

Environment
Research Centre Biobased Economy
Research Group Transition towards a Circular Economy

Start date 01 January 2021

To support businesses with questions about legislation and regulations related to the circular economy, an online legal platform is being developed. On this platform, entrepreneurs and (local) governments can learn more about legislation and regulations as barriers to the transition to a circular economy.

In the transition towards a circular economy we are becoming increasingly less dependent on the production of new raw materials and focusing on reuse and sustainable recycling. The government's goal (at both national and European level) is to achieve a fully circular economy by 2050. However, achieving this goal presents many challenges for businesses. How can they adapt and meet new (future) standards while remaining profitable?

The Legal Platform for the Circular Economy aims to help entrepreneurs and government institutions find answers. Legislation and regulations are one of the main barriers to the transition to a circular economy.

Read our publications here

Insight into needs: What requirements should a regional platform for legislation and regulations meet, and how can it be organized? This insight is gained through data collected through interviews.
Overview of core tasks: This overview is created through an assessment of the needs of the target group and the formulation of a general vision for the platform.
Insight into organisational possibilities: This insight is obtained by having conversations with representatives of Versnellingshuis Circulaire Economie and Platform Ruimte in Regels, in which experiences are shared about organizational possibilities.
Insight into budget and financing.

The transition to a circular economy presents many challenges, one of which is (obstructive) legislation and regulations. Businesses and government institutions have many questions about existing legislation and regulations. Experience (at both Ecoras and Hanze) has shown that in many cases, more is possible than initially anticipated or known. It proves difficult to fully understand the scope of legislation and regulations: this often cannot be deduced from the relevant legal texts themselves, but emerges through consultation with competent authorities and implementing agencies. An online platform offers significant advantages in interpreting and communicating regulations, exceptions, and/or future developments.