The age of “take, make, dispose” is coming to an end. From mountains of waste to vanishing resources, the linear economy has reached its limits. Enter the circular economy – a game-changer where products are built to last, materials circulate endlessly and waste becomes wealth.
Driving this revolution are the experts of ISO’s technical committee ISO/TC 323, Circular economy, who develop standards that make circularity practical, measurable and scalable across industries and borders.
Their groundbreaking work has earned them ISO’s highest distinction, the 2025 Lawrence D. Eicher (LDE) Leadership Award, a tribute to the spirit of global cooperation. This award will be presented to Catherine Chevauché, Chair of ISO/TC 323, at the ISO Annual Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, on 6–10 October 2025.
From waste to wealth
The circular economy has become a priority for governments, industries and communities worldwide. Yet until recently, what it actually meant – and how to achieve it – was interpreted in vastly different ways. ISO has helped fill that gap. “International Standards are central to forging global consensus on the circular economy. They provide a common language, a shared purpose, and a solid foundation on which progress can be built,” says Catherine Chevauché.
The work of ISO/TC 323 is already influencing policy and business strategies across the globe. Governments are using ISO standards to shape national circular economy roadmaps, while companies are adopting them to redesign supply chains, assess product life cycles and report on sustainability performance.
International Standards are central to forging global consensus on the circular economy.
Cause for optimism
By putting collaboration at the core, the committee has shown how diverse perspectives – from industry leaders to small enterprises, from developed and developing countries alike – can be channelled into a coherent, actionable framework.
That’s why this recognition matters. It’s not just about celebrating one committee’s achievements, but about highlighting a path forward – a path where prosperity and sustainability reinforce each other, rather than compete.
As Catherine Chevauché and her team prepare to receive their award in Kigali, the message is clear: the circular economy is no longer a distant vision. With International Standards to guide us, it’s already taking shape. And that is cause for optimism.