Regulation: What companies need to know now

What's in the stars for the circular economy in Europe in 2026? 

In a compact overview of the current EU strategies and regulations on the circular economy, it shows how Europe intends to strengthen competitiveness, security of supply and decarbonisation at the same time with the Clean Industrial Deal and the Critical Raw Materials Act - including key objectives, timetables and business implications.

It provides clear guidance for companies that want to understand regulatory requirements and utilise circular market opportunities at an early stage: 

• one Classifying the circular economy as a key lever for competitiveness, resilience and decarbonisation in Europe,

• an overview of the 6 pillars of the Clean Industrial Deal - from affordable energy and financing to strengthening global market positions,

• Clear information on Targets, schedules and KPIs (e.g. increasing the EU circularity rate to 24 % by 2030),

• a structured presentation of the new requirements and opportunities through the Critical Raw Materials Act (recycling rates, security of supply, product design, public procurement),

• an outlook on upcoming regulatory steps such as the Circular Economy Act (from 2026) and the creation of a standardised EU market for recyclates,

• an overview of the relevant EU regulations and directives along the Circular Economy Action Plan (ecodesign, packaging, batteries, right to repair, green claims, etc.),

Compiled by our Advisor on Circular Policy Manfred Mühlberger for the joint project of CEOS4FUTURE, Circular Economy Forum Austria and Climate Lab performed "Speed dating circular economy" in which the participants discussed the current status of the national and European framework conditions, in particular the developments within the framework of the EU's Clean Industrial Deal, and also dealt with smart policies for the development of a secondary raw materials market, the potential for promoting secondary raw materials markets and digital enablers of secondary raw materials markets.