Standards for Circularity: UNIDO’s New Video Highlights Quality Infrastructure as a Catalyst for the Circular Economy

Vienna, 24 February 2026 — As the global community grapples with a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has released a new video titled "Standards for circularity." The video illustrates how transitioning from a traditional "take-make-dispose" linear model to a circular economy is essential for a sustainable future, potentially halving global emissions by 2050.

A critical element of this transition is Quality Infrastructure (QI). The video demonstrates that standards, measurement, testing, and accreditation are not merely technical requirements but are the foundational rules that turn circular claims into credible actions. By setting clear rules for circular design and verifying the performance and safety of recycled materials, QI ensures that products are designed to last and ready to re-enter the value chain with confidence, building vital trust among regulators, businesses, and consumers.

The video showcases several real-world success stories where UNIDO is helping countries integrate these principles into practice:

In Morocco, UNIDO supports the development of standards for recycled PET in food contact materials, ensuring consumer safety while promoting sustainable packaging.
In South Africa, the testing of biodegradable packaging has led to new national guidelines for compostable alternatives to single-use plastics.
In Paraguay, circular innovation has successfully transformed 1,300 tons of tires into eco-flooring, avoiding nearly 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
In Colombia, standardization and accredited testing are helping MSMEs transform chemical waste into valuable products like pipes and cleaners.
In Indonesia, UNIDO facilitates the transformation of seaweed into high-value bio-stimulants and food products through certification to scale sustainable production.

These initiatives demonstrate how circular practices and quality infrastructure reinforce one another to unlock markets, attract investment, and boost industrial competitiveness. By integrating these standards, UNIDO continues to build resilient green industries, turning environmental ambition into tangible action for both people and the planet.

Watch the full video here

For further information, please contact: Alejandro Rivera-Rojas, Division Chief, MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation A.RIVERA-ROJAS [at] unido.org and Jerome Stucki, Unit Chief, Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency J.Stucki [at] unido.org