SGS Helps Global Progress Toward a Circular Economy by Contributing Business Expertise to the GCP

Today, November 11, 2025, we are thrilled to support the global transition toward a circular economy by contributing our business expertise to the Global Circularity Protocol during COP30 in Brazil. We have been welcomed as a member of the Front Runner Coalition of the GCP and recognized as one of the driving forces within the coalition. 

Created by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the One Planet Network (UNEP), the GCP is a protocol for a voluntary, science-based framework.

It proposes a step-by-step operational methodology applicable at different scales, from a single product to an organization’s global systems. 

The GCP is comprised of a five-stage user journey, with flexible guidance to accommodate all contexts and capabilities:

1. FRAME your objectives
2. PREPARE your circularity assessment
3. MEASURE your progress on circular approaches to value creation
4. MANAGE your circularity performance
5. COMMUNICATE with external stakeholders

It brings together more than 80 organizations and was developed by over 150 international experts, with the goal of providing companies with standardized tools to measure, manage and report circularity performance in a comparable way across the entire value chain.

The protocol establishes harmonized, science-based metrics and public policy guidelines to address critical accountability and standardization gaps that have historically limited progress in circularity.

We will contribute to its implementation through our broad portfolio of life cycle assessment (LCA) services, circularity certification, environmental performance audits and sustainability reporting verification. We are also investing in innovation and digitalization to enhance impact measurement and monitoring, strengthening trust and traceability across value chains.

According to Rafael Navazo, Head of SGS for Latin America, the transition to a circular economy is a defining imperative of this decade, requiring not only ambition but also measurement and credibility.

“The Global Circularity Protocol creates a new benchmark for companies to demonstrate real impact and measurable progress. As a global leader in sustainability, certification and verification, we are proud to enable putting this concept into practice, supporting organizations worldwide in integrating circularity as a core part of their business strategies,” he commented.

Strengthening alignment between business and government

By offering a common framework, the GCP strengthens transparency, collaboration and alignment between businesses’ and governments’ global commitments, such as the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda, supporting the creation of more sustainable and resilient value chains.

The protocol delivers direct benefits to the private and public sectors. According to WBCSD estimates, its implementation could reduce global material consumption by up to 5% and greenhouse gas emissions by 6-7% by 2050, equivalent to up to 76 gigatons of CO₂.

“For SGS, taking part in this initiative is a strategic step that reinforces our mission to turn technical expertise into sustainable impact,” said Mr Navazo. “Our global network of experts and laboratories is ready to support clients on this journey toward circularity, ensuring credibility and measurable results.”

Our contribution to the GCP underscores our role as a strategic partner to governments, companies and multilateral organizations in building a more resilient, efficient and sustainable global economy. Through it, we reaffirm our commitment to transforming technical and scientific expertise into actionable solutions, bridging the global climate agenda with practical pathways for sustainable development.

IMPACT NOW for sustainability

Circularity is one of the four key pillars of our IMPACT Now for sustainability suite of services, through which we support our clients beyond the operational level. These pillars – Climate, Circularity, Nature and ESG Assurance – act as enablers for reducing emissions and waste, minimizing the use of natural resources and promoting positive social impact.

Through IMPACT NOW, we strengthen the connections between circular strategies and measurable outcomes for climate, social equity and financial value creation, driving businesses toward meaningful change as we help them to meet rising regulatory and stakeholder expectations.

Learn more about IMPACT NOW for sustainability.