CIRC-UITS Project Contributes to European Standardisation with Two New CEN Workshop Agreements

The CIRC-UITS project has reached an important milestone with the official publication of two CEN Workshop Agreements (CWAs) that support the transition towards more circular and sustainable electronics value chains. These documents were initiated and developed within the framework of the CIRC-UITS project through a collaborative effort involving project partners and external experts from industry and research.

The newly published standards are:

Both documents are now publicly available and can be downloaded free of charge, providing valuable guidance for organisations seeking to implement circular economy principles in electronics and automotive manufacturing.

Supporting Circular Electronics Through Standardisation

The CIRC-UITS project aims to improve circularity in the automotive and mass electronics sectors by enabling the recovery, reuse and remanufacturing of electronic components and materials. As part of these efforts, the project has actively contributed to European standardisation activities, ensuring that the solutions developed during the project can be adopted more broadly by industry.

Standardisation plays a crucial role in enabling circular practices at scale. By establishing common guidelines and frameworks, standards help companies design products that are easier to repair, disassemble and recycle while ensuring compatibility with existing regulations and industrial processes.

CWA 18311: Repair and Recycling of Printed Board Assemblies

CWA 18311:2025 focuses on improving circular economy practices for Printed Board Assemblies (PBAs), which are key components used in many electronic products. PBAs contain valuable materials and electronic components, but their complex design often makes repair and recycling difficult.

The document provides guidance on how repair and recycling processes for PBAs can be improved in order to extend product lifetimes and increase recovery of valuable materials. It offers practical recommendations that can support manufacturers, recyclers and repair companies in developing more circular approaches to electronic product management.

CWA 18313: Circular Design in the Automotive Industry

The second document, CWA 18313:2025, presents a practical use case for applying the European standard EN 45554, which addresses the repairability and upgradeability of energy-related products. The agreement demonstrates how this standard can be applied specifically within the automotive electronics sector.

By providing concrete examples of how repairability criteria can be implemented in automotive components, the document supports manufacturers in designing products that are easier to maintain, repair and upgrade, contributing to longer product lifecycles and reduced waste.

Supporting EU Sustainability Policy

Both CWAs are highly relevant in the context of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), a key initiative under the European Green Deal aimed at improving product sustainability across the EU market. The documents provide practical insights that could contribute to ongoing discussions on future regulatory frameworks and sustainability requirements for electronic products.

By aligning project outcomes with emerging policy priorities, the CIRC-UITS consortium helps ensure that the research and innovation results generated during the project can have a lasting impact on European industry and sustainability policy.