Circular Economy Act: Key priorities from European business
Europe’s transition to a circular economy isn’t just about sustainability – it’s about staying competitive, resilient, and securing resources. On 5 May 2026, we had the opportunity to present our new paper on the Circular Economy Act and exchange views with Commissioner Jessika Roswall, alongside our Director General Markus J. Beyrer. As he put it: “In a global context shaped by geopolitical instability and increasingly fragile supply chains, retaining high-value resources within the European economy is becoming essential.”
The Circular Economy Act could be the missing link to scale circular business models – but only if it focuses on areas where EU action delivers real added value. Our recommendations are grounded in a series of workshops held in late 2025, bringing together experts from industry, our member federations, European Commission and EU Member States. It reflects a shared assessment of what works, what is missing, and what needs to happen next.
Three priorities stand out:
- A truly harmonised Single Market – fragmentation still limits the cross-border flow of materials
- Stronger demand for secondary raw materials – circularity needs a solid business case to scale
- Effective enforcement – to ensure a level playing field for companies investing in compliance
We look forward to continuing the dialogue as the Circular Economy Act takes shape.
Read our paper in full or have a look at a few pictures from the event.
