We are thrilled to report that yesterday’s Technical Stakeholder Meeting on Circular Economy & Bioeconomy was a resounding success. The meeting, which featured insightful presentations from industry leaders, brought together more than 300 stakeholders.

The meeting opened with remarks from Committee Co-Chairs, Jason Pierce (Senior Technical Leader for Circular Economy & LCA at Eastman, USA) and Esther Garcia (Global Packaging Sustainability Lead at Mondelez International, UK). 

Both co-chairs highlighted the important role of ISCC PLUS activities in fast-moving regulatory environments, expanding markets for certified materials, and a deepening need for credible sustainability communication. They set the tone by outlining a packed agenda that would cover ISCC PLUS developments, global policy signals, and strategic use cases of ISCC PLUS as a brand owner across different sectors.

Updates on ISCC PLUS

Dr Jan Henke, Director of ISCC System and Meo Carbon Solutions noted strong growth in the system, with over 1,000 new ISCC PLUS certificates since the last meeting, and more than 6,000 valid certificates overall, indicating rising demand across regions and sectors. 

He also introduced the recently published standalone ISCC PLUS System Documents. This update aims to improve clarity, transparency, and usability, especially in light of ISCC PLUS’s rapid expansion across markets with different regulations. He also addressed the ongoing development of a new scheme for regulated plastic recycling markets, driven by regulatory signals such as the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) in Europe and growing legislation in Asia, North America, and Oceania.

The meeting also highlighted ISCC’s recognition under the Canada Clean Fuel Regulation, and growing momentum in the U.S. and India. Additionally, Dr Henke shared updates on the Carbon Footprint Certification (CFC) scheme, which is being rolled out across sectors and supported by a recent webinar. Over 450 participants have already joined a recent CFC webinar, with the first official training planned for October 2025.

On claims, Dr Henke presented updates on ISCC’s licensing approach and the updated ISCC 208 Logos and Claims document, which incorporates regulatory expectations from the EU Green Claims Directive and introduces clearer, standardised visuals for market use. Today, more than 144,000 ISCC-certified products are already on the market.

Updates from three ISCC Working Groups

Spokespeople from the three ISCC PLUS Working Groups delivered updates on their latest developments: Mass Balance, Logos & Claims, and GHG Accounting. Each one highlighted progress, current projects, and planned actions. 

From the most recent Mass Balance Working Groups, we heard that the new version of the System Document ​ISCC PLUS 203 – Traceability & Chain of Custody​ is currently under development in alignment with the existing ISO standards, ​and to support flexibility to adapt to upcoming legislative developments & the new ISCC CFC scheme. The Logos & Claims team focused on clearer governance of environmental claims, considering increasing scrutiny. The GHG group shared updates on methodology refinements and monitoring guidance, especially in preparation for the broader roll-out of the Carbon Footprint Certification scheme.

Regulation & Policy Landscape

Policy frameworks around the circular economy are advancing but remain fragmented across markets, creating both opportunities and challenges for industry. Delia Nedelcu of the CGF Plastic Waste Coalition emphasised the importance of third-party certification in the transition to the circular economy. She also highlighted the ongoing debate around mass balance; a method that enables traceability of recycled content in complex supply chains. 

The Coalition’s six core principles, issued in 2022, call for credible chemical recycling (CR) practices, including the exclusion of feedstocks better suited for mechanical recycling. Elsewhere, momentum is building. Brazil has approved CR for food-contact use, and Japan and China are moving forward with policy. But global alignment remains elusive, as Nedelcu noted that:

Meanwhile, India is taking significant steps to strengthen its plastic packaging rules, as reported by Jaideep Gokhale, CEO of AARC. The country’s market for beverage cartons, now about 20 billion units annually, is growing rapidly, intensifying the need for clear regulation. India has had strong plastic waste management frameworks since 2016, with major updates as recently as 2024. 

In the United States, Crystal Bayliss from the US Plastics Pact reported encouraging but uneven progress. Seven states have now passed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, marking a significant milestone in driving accountability across the value chain. Yet timelines, goals, and fee structures differ widely by state, making it challenging for companies to plan consistently and for consumers to understand recycling systems. Bayliss stressed the need for harmonised frameworks and full value chain collaboration, which would help distribute risk fairly and accelerate innovation. One promising initiative is Reuse in Retail, a push to integrate reusable packaging into mainstream shopping experiences, a significant shift in consumer behaviour that could boost circularity.

Julia Roettgerding, Policy Officer at the European Commission’s DG ENV, mentioned the potential role that third-party certification plays in shaping a more circular future for plastics in the regulatory field. She outlined how the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) is driving plastic circularity by boosting collection and sorting, introducing mandatory recycled content for PET bottles. She also discussed how the Commission, with support from ISCC, is refining rules on fuel-use excluded mass balance and chemical recycling. Currently, an updated implementing decision is expected by year-end.

Applying ISCC PLUS to Strengthen Consumer Trust

Further, Ana Marta Ramos from Mondelez International outlined how ISCC PLUS helps multinational brands communicate recycled materials with credibility. She shared that consumers favour packaging made with recycled or certified materials, and that third-party certification like ISCC can build robust trust.

However, Ramos also acknowledged a credibility gap: many consumers don’t fully understand the rather abstract mass balance approach, which can lead to misinterpretation or scepticism. To address this, Mondelez advocates for layered communication, such as simple on-pack statements supported by digital information via QR codes and educational websites. She described the use of ISCC logos and claims as a key asset for navigating complex and fragmented regulatory expectations globally, helping Mondelez deliver trustworthy, market-specific claims. Clear guidance from ISCC and continued education for consumers are therefore essential to avoiding greenwashing accusations to maintain brand credibility.

Echoing this need for trust, Shell highlighted that putting a brand claim on a product alone is not enough. Independent, third-party certification using CFC is critical to ensure credibility and consumer confidence. 

Next Steps & Takeaways:

The meeting concluded with closing reflections from the Co-Chairs, Jason Pierce, Esther Garcia, and Dr Jan Henke. They reaffirmed ISCC’s commitment to transparency, innovation, and stakeholder dialogue. 

Together with industry, policy, and civil society partners, ISCC PLUS will continue to expand its presence in voluntary markets and support credible claims necessary for building consumer trust. And with trust being crucial to purchasing decisions, they discussed the value that certification can add to end products. Finally, Dr Henke once again emphasised the need for harmonisation at all levels, especially in the regulatory market, in order for real progress towards an impactful circular economy and bioeconomy to be achieved.

We thank all participants for their engagement and look forward to welcoming you to the next stakeholder meeting.