In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, SGS has unveiled a new suite of Circularity services within its IMPACT NOW portfolio. This initiative strengthens the company’s role in advancing the circular economy by leveraging its decades-long expertise in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) alongside its commitment to sustainability.

The Circular Economy: A Critical Shift for Businesses

The circular economy is a sustainability-driven framework that moves away from the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model, instead focusing on reducing waste through resource reuse, recycling, redesign, sharing, and repair. Companies worldwide are now recognizing the value of embedding circular principles into their operations—not only as an environmental responsibility but also as a strategic business advantage.

SGS’s new Circularity services aim to assist businesses in seamlessly transitioning toward circular business models, helping them minimize waste, improve resource efficiency, and ensure compliance with globally recognized sustainability standards.

A Comprehensive Approach to Circularity

SGS has developed a robust framework that integrates design, certification, supply chain management, and pollution prevention into a single offering. Companies looking to adopt circular business strategies can leverage SGS’s expertise in:

• Design, Reuse, Recycle: Life cycle assessments (LCA), environmental product declarations, material evaluations, and plastic packaging testing.
• Certified Circularity: Certifications such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS, and biodegradability testing.
• Plastic Pollution Prevention: Programs such as Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) for plastic pellet-loss prevention.

This holistic approach ensures that organizations can confidently integrate circular practices while maintaining compliance with international standards.

Industry Leadership in Circular Innovation

Géraldine Picaud, CEO of SGS, underscored the importance of the Circularity services:

“Following months of determination, we are thrilled to launch our fourth IMPACT NOW pillar – Circularity – harnessing our decades as a sustainability and TIC industry leader.

“This complete offering combines the latest circular economy solutions and established practices to provide one place for all your circularity needs. Our global network of experts is ready to guide you toward a circular economy that benefits your organization by reducing waste and protecting the planet.”

Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis

SGS’s Circularity services align with its broader IMPACT NOW commitment, which aims to combat the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As businesses face increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, SGS ensures that its clients receive clear, actionable guidance to integrate circularity into their operations.

“With over 30 years of sustainability leadership, SGS moves organizations from complexity to clarity, and from advice to transparent and meaningful action,” the company stated. The Circularity services will continue to evolve to meet emerging sustainability challenges, ensuring that businesses remain ahead of regulatory shifts and market demands.

The Growing Business Case for Circularity

Adopting a circular economy is not just about environmental impact; it also presents significant business benefits. Studies show that circular strategies can drive cost savings, improve brand reputation, and foster innovation. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, businesses adopting circular practices could unlock economic benefits worth $4.5 trillion by 2030.

Moreover, with tightening regulations on waste management and resource usage—such as the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws—companies that proactively adopt circularity will gain a competitive advantage. SGS’s Circularity services provide businesses with the expertise and tools necessary to navigate this evolving landscape with confidence.

Moving Toward a Net-Zero Future

SGS’s overarching goal with IMPACT NOW is to help businesses achieve a net-zero, nature-positive, and pollution-free world. Through its Circularity services, SGS is not just responding to current sustainability demands—it is actively shaping the future of responsible business practices.

With global operations spanning 119 countries, a network of 2,700 laboratories, and a workforce of nearly 100,000 professionals, SGS stands at the forefront of sustainability and compliance solutions. The company’s unwavering commitment to quality, integrity, and environmental stewardship ensures that organizations can transition toward circular models with the highest level of assurance.

Embrace Circularity with SGS

As sustainability continues to drive business transformation, companies must proactively integrate circularity into their strategies. SGS’s comprehensive Circularity services offer a structured, science-based approach to achieving this goal. By partnering with SGS, businesses can effectively reduce waste, optimize resource usage, and contribute to a more sustainable global economy.

For organizations looking to stay ahead in the circular economy, SGS provides the expertise, certification, and guidance needed to turn sustainability commitments into impactful action.