A circular approach in the electronics value chain is widely accepted as the system transformation needed to move away from today’s linear model of consumption. “A New Circular Vision for Electronics” produced by PACE and the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the United Nations E-Waste Coalition, outlined three objectives for the circular economy for electronics

1. New products use more recycled and recyclable content.
2. Products and their components are used for longer.
3. End-of-use products are collected and recycled to a high standard.

On the policy and regulatory side, the last two decades have seen the formalization of e-waste management systems, often based on the extended producer responsibility (EPR) principle. By October 2019, 78 countries were covered by some form of policy, legislation or regulation governing e-waste, yet many of these frameworks are not legally binding.15 In the context of e-waste, many countries have developed laws, mandating that take-back, collection, dismantling, treatment, recycling and recovery are undertaken with due diligence for a positive social, economic and environmental impact. In addition, international standards also provide guidance and the framework to implement circularity across the electronics value chain.