The Product Circularity Data Sheet (PCDS) – ISO 59040
Organisation or Company
Type of organisation or company
Country
Luxembourg
Language for original content
Key Area
Scope
Ongoing
Yes
Description
The Product Circularity Data Sheet (PCDS), now recognised as ISO 59040, is the result of a multi-year journey to bring transparency and reliability to product-related circularity information.
It originated in the Circularity Dataset Initiative, which was launched by the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy and ran until 2020. That initiative laid the groundwork for a standardised approach to describing the circularity characteristics of products and initiated the process of normalisation. This effort culminated in the official publication of ISO 59040 in February 2025.
See also Product Circularity Data Sheet: a solution to access circularity data.
Main activity field
Main results
- The PCDS provides a structured, machine-readable framework that enables manufacturers, suppliers and customers to exchange consistent and verifiable circularity data across value chains.
- It helps companies comply with evolving regulations such as ESPR and CSRD, while fostering trust in green claims.
- Most importantly, it supports eco-design, procurement and recycling strategies by ensuring that data is interoperable and accessible.