scope:

Realization of the circular economy requires incorporating elements in product design that support the reduction of material use, reuse, recycling and recovery of products, product parts, components and materials to circulate them in the value chain for as long as possible. This Recommendation contains a three-step methodology to identify an information and communication technology (ICT) good's circularity in three dimensions via three circular design guideline groups (CDGGs): first the ICT good durability, second the ICT good ability to be recycled, repaired, reused and upgraded, and third the manufacturers ability to recycle, repair, reuse and upgrade the ICT good put into the market. The three guideline groups are then divided into criteria for circular product design. These criteria are then assessed at four levels, both from how well circularity has been achieved, the margin of improvement, and the relevance and applicability of each criterion for the ICT good at hand. The margin of improvement (MI) score and relevance score are then combined and translated into a score for each criterion. The average of applicable criteria in each guideline group are calculated as the total circularity score for each guideline group.

No weighting of the guideline groups is included.