Global Adoption of ISO 59000 Circular Economy Standards in Construction: A Cross-Country Benchmarking Study Using Normalized Circularity Indicators

10 pages•Published: June 2, 2026

Mojgan Moradi, Tamera McCuen and Lloyd Scott

Abstract

This paper benchmarks the global adoption of the ISO 59000 family of circular economy (CE) standards in the construction sector. This study develops a Circular Economy Standards Implementation Score (CESIS) that integrates ISO 59004 (principles and actions), ISO 59010 (business models and value networks), ISO 59020 (measurement and performance), ISO 59014 (traceability of secondary materials), and ISO 59040 (product circularity data sheets). Countries are assessed through a combination of policy review and quantitative resource-efficiency indicators, including material footprint (MF), domestic material consumption (DMC), and material productivity. To ensure comparability, CESIS values are normalized against socio-economic and environmental indicators rather than relying solely on Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Results reveal strong regional variation: EU countries score higher on measurement and reporting alignment, while non-EU high-income nations demonstrate mixed outcomes in material productivity and secondary materials traceability. The analysis identifies associations between CESIS and circularity indicators, offering a replicable benchmarking framework for policymakers, contractors, and educators. The study concludes with recommendations for integrating ISO 59020 indicators and ISO 59040 product data into construction project management and procurement practices to accelerate global circular economy transitions.

Keyphrases: benchmarking, circular economy, iso 59000, resource efficiency, sustainable development

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 515-524.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/52j6
	https://doi.org/10.29007/l8wg

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2026:Global_Adoption_ISO_59000,
  author    = {Mojgan Moradi and Tamera McCuen and Lloyd Scott},
  title     = {Global Adoption of ISO 59000 Circular Economy Standards in Construction: A Cross-Country Benchmarking Study Using Normalized Circularity Indicators},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {7},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/52j6},
  doi       = {10.29007/l8wg},
  pages     = {515-524},
  year      = {2026}}

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