If the world's population were to reach 9,600 million by 2050, the equivalent of nearly three planet Earths would be needed to provide the natural resources needed to maintain the current lifestyle. Sustainable Development Goal number twelve seeks responsible production and consumption, promoting the efficient use of resources.
In this framework, more than 300 UNE standards help to achieve SDG 12. In addition, the Spanish Association for Standardization, UNE, has launched specific Circular Economy actions such as CTN 323 or its Advisory Committee.
Environmental Management
From the standards that help to achieve SDG 12, those related to the preservation of the environment stand out. For the application of effective environmental management systems, it is based on the reference of concepts and practices regarding sustainable purchasing, contained in the Standard UNE-ISO 20400 Sustainable purchases. Guidelines. This is also supported by standards such as UNE-EN ISO 14045 Environmental management. Eco-efficiency assessment of product systems. Principles, requirements and guidelines.
Circular Economy
Special mention must be given to the new Circular Economy model in the achievement of SDG 12. The Circular Economy seeks to maintain the value of the resources invested in products and services as long as possible, by reintroducing them into the production processes at the end of their useful life instead of discarding them.
Standards are supporting this new model, establishing a common understanding of principles, strategies and practices in this field. To achieve this, UNE set up CTN 323 –formed of 140 experts and 80 organizations from all the parties involved– the way for exerting direct influence to ensure Spanish organizations are heard by the global and European forums where the standards that enable them to compete are created.
Alongside this, UNE has formed the Circular Economy Advisory Committee, a multi-sector and transverse working group for dialogue between members of the UNE and the Public Administrations. It comprises 45 experts, including a number of important national Spanish sectoral associations, various Ministries and other key actors.
