7 steps to circular entrepreneurship
Organizations that start a process to do business in a circular manner are eligible for the Kiwa certificate Performance Ladder Circularity (Dutch: Prestatieladder Circulair). This certificate focuses on the structure of the management system and how it ties in with the principles of circular entrepreneurship. Attention is also paid to the development of products and services that are in line with circular entrepreneurship.
Kiwa's Performance Ladder Circularity guides organizations step-by-step in making the switch to circular entrepreneurship. In doing so, a link is sought with the structure of, among other things, the quality standard ISO 9001. This offers quality managers who are familiar with these standards a great deal of guidance, which benefits successful implementation.
What is expected of companies that wish to obtain the Performance Ladder Circularity certificate? Below you can find Kiwa's 7 steps to circular entrepreneurship.
1. Insight into your own context
The organization determines the impact of circular entrepreneurship on goals and strategy. Consider, for example, stakeholders, economic restrictions, legal provisions, strategic plan, etc.
2. Leadership and involvement
Top management shows leadership in the implementation of circular entrepreneurship in the organization. This includes promoting policy aimed at circular business.
3. Planning
The organization can demonstrate that action is being taken in the field of circular entrepreneurship. Consider, for example, an action plan that describes step by step how the organization will achieve the envisaged circular goals.
4. Resources
The organization determines which resources are needed to achieve the intended circular goals. Consider, for example, the education and training of employees in the context of circularity.
5. Plan/Do/Check/Act
The organization uses a Plan/Do/Check/Act (PDCA) cycle for continuous improvement of the circular policy. This includes establishing internal controls aimed at circularity and involving key stakeholders from the supply chain in improvement. Or transparent communication to the market about the products or services or the drawing up of agreements with customers in which the return of the product is arranged after a certain useful life.
6. Design and choice of materials
During the product design, the organization determines how materials can be incorporated into the product in a way that preserves their value as much as possible. This includes the preparation of an environmental statement (LCA/EPD) and a system that ensures that products can be traced.
7. Monitoring
The organization continuously measures performance to improve the transition process. Internal audits are an example of this.
The Performance Ladder Circularity scheme does not require organizations to meet all the requirements at once. In addition to entry level 0, four higher levels can be reached, whereby the aim is for the organization to climb one step on the ladder each year until level 4 is reached. In our webinar (in Dutch) about circular entrepreneurship, Bas van Galen, Kiwa's expert in the field of circular entrepreneurship, explains how you can benefit from the Performance Ladder Circularity.