Making the circular economy work : guidance for regulators on enabling innovations for the circular economy (prevention and recycling of waste)

A crucial element in the transition to the Circular Economy are the innovations at production and recycling facilities that aim at resource efficiency, the prevention of waste and the use of production residues or materials recovered from waste as secondary raw materials. A key condition for making these circular innovations work is to better connect policy, law and regulation on the ground. This guidance was developed to support regulators, policy- and law-makers and businesses in enabling and carrying through such innovations and rise to some of the commonly shared challenges. Regulators are the main audience for this guidance. The guidance aims to help regulators: understand the complexity as well as the opportunities in EU environmental law; identify how they can organise themselves more effectively; work more effectively with policy and law makers; better understand the needs and concerns of innovative businesses. This guidance also aims to help policy- and law-makers: understand the challenges regulators and businesses face in implementing the circular economy; work more effectively in supporting and assisting regulators. The guidance can be of use for businesses considering, developing or implementing circular innovations. Omgevingsdiensten en hun opdrachtgevers, provincies en gemeenten, die werk willen maken van de circulaire economie, kunnen nu inspiratie putten uit de Handreiking 'Making the Circular Economy work'. Deze Handreiking kan ondersteuning bieden bij het vertalen van circulaire ambities naar de uitvoeringspraktijk van (milieu)vergunningverlening, toezicht en handhaving (VTH).