What happened
The European Commission's proposed Circular Economy Act is intended to support an EU market for secondary raw materials, expand supplies of quality recycled material and encourage its use. The source says adoption is expected in 2026.
In an edie article, Global Electronics Association sustainability policy director Diana Radovan says the legislation should account for the operational realities of electronics. She argues that policymakers should engage organisations throughout the chain, including original equipment manufacturers and businesses involved in collection, recycling and recovery.
For companies in electronics value chains, the practical priority is to follow the proposal's development and assess where data, product design and supply-chain coordination could constrain circular models.
Why it matters
Radovan's central argument is that circularity in electronics extends beyond managing e-waste. Reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and repurposing can retain products and components in operation, whereas recycling recovers materials.
The article identifies several obstacles: inconsistent and insufficient data for life-cycle assessments, inadequate returns on circular investment, products that are difficult to dismantle, fragmented supply networks and limited awareness of circular practices. It calls for dependable material quality, rules that operate across borders and incentives capable of supporting investment.
The issue applies to industrial as well as consumer electronics. Sectors identified in the article include automation, healthcare, mobility, renewable energy and telecommunications, alongside aerospace and defence.
Long investment cycles
Complex electronic products contain processed material within components and sub-assemblies, which can complicate tracing, recovery and reuse. According to the article, redesign for circular use and associated regulatory recertification may require seven to 15 years, or more.
Radovan therefore calls for durable policy signals and predictable timelines that allow companies to redesign products, complete qualification processes and build supporting infrastructure. The association has also published recommendations on the Circular Economy Act.
