A key feature of IRACE will be its Focus Groups, each dedicated to addressing specific issues in the Circular Economy. These small expert groups will collect data, engage in multidisciplinary dialogue, and explore key “why, what, and how” questions. Their goal is to define problems, investigate solutions, and produce outputs such as position papers, research proposals, and policy recommendations, while engaging in public communication.
Proposed list of topics include:
Ecodesign and materials selection for circularity / Contaminants prevention in products / Strategies for Microplastics minimisation / Symbiosis Produces/recyclers / Health risks from microplastics and contaminants accumulation in products / Accumulation and release of contaminants from recycled products / Fate of undifferentiated Biowaste / Sink on Soil (tassonomy, technical features, planning, regulation, etc.) / Recycling of critical raw materials / Sustainable patterns for plastics recovery / Thermal treatment in Circular Economy / Management and fate of asbestos waste within Circular Economy strategies / Circular Economy & Wastewaters / New recovering opportunities / Optimised legal-frame for Circular Economy / Communication about Sustainable Circular Economy strategies / Recycling of space materials and equipment
Each Focus Group will operate within a defined time frame, with expected deliverables including policy inputs, research initiatives, and communications with authorities and the public.
15 Oct 2026
NEW FOCUS GROUP PROPOSAL:
“Snapshot analysis and the first steps towards implementation on IRACE mission to impact policy in the field of Circular Economy”
by Andjelka Mihajlov / anmihajlov@gmail.com
I have spent over 20 years in academia/science/research and the same amount of time in positions related to policy/strategy development. My experience is that these two parts are often not understood each other at all, and I focused part of my activities on “science to policy” work – it is always a long-term process with an uncertain outcome. IRACE’s mission is to strengthen the impact of scientific research on policy and political decision-making while serving as a global reference platform for advancing research, innovation, and policy impact in the field of the Circular Economy. In IRACE, I serve as Scientific Task Force focusing on Waste Policy and Governance, and feel some responsibility to contribute; Proposing this Task Force or Position Paper Development I am trying to respond to Question: How IRACE will impact scientific research on policy and political decision-making in the field of Circular Economy?
Abstract & Main purpose:
It is considerable vibrancy in the circular economy field, from definitions, scope, indicators…Policy and regulatory framework is most developed in the EU (and a new Circular Economy Act is expected in 2026), but there are also ISO standards from the ISO 59000 family at the global level, as well as UNEP initiatives. It is interesting that in 2025, very little interest from Academia/Science in the process of public consultation on the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act.
Snapshot analysis and the first steps towards implementation on IRACE mission to impact policy in the field of Circular Economy will possibly contribute to concretised/landscape IRACE mission statement. If it is some kind of policy paper, let it be a basis for us to establish communication/ present IRACE mission (concretized) to some bodies of interest.
For further information on this Focus Group please contact anmihajlov@gmail.com