In this paper, we propose a framework for circular economy monitoring by looking at the issue of border crossing and levels of control.
In this paper, we propose a framework for circular economy monitoring, by looking at the issue of border crossing and levels of control. The framework is developed as part of the DATAPIPE3 EU project. Our framework allows us to make a link between detailed government procedures that address one step in the CE monitoring and to reason how these form part of the broader CE monitoring, by taking the lens of border crossing and levels of control. Our framework consists of four views as follows:
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(3) Government's level of control view: This view examines what government's level of control is achieved and looks at cross-border movements, taking a specific country (e.g., the Netherlands, NL) as a starting point. This view further distinguishes between import (I (a, b)) and export (E (a,b)) between the Netherlands and outside EU countries and between the Netherlands and other EU countries. Control of the CE flows can be covered by government authorities withing a country when the flows are limited to that country. But in case borders are crossed, it is likely that more government authorities (at EU level or internationally) will need to play a role to ensure safeguarding CE monitoring, taking the Global CE monitoring perspective.
(4) The specific government procedure view: When governments perform controls, they perform very specific procedures and take a very detailed view of that procedure (e.g. see K in Figure 1, which relates to e.g. import of a car from a non-EU country to the EU). This allows for detailed monitoring of a specific step but gives a fragmented view from a CE monitoring perspective. Therefore, for CE monitoring it is key to see how this specific procedure forms part of the bigger CE monitoring picture.
Future research can focus on applying and further developing the framework.