This report presents the results of a pilot implementation of the ISO 59014 standard—which defines sustainability and traceability requirements for secondary materials recovery—conducted at E[co]work, a social enterprise and licensed WEEE recycler in India. The study evaluates how a small-scale recycling organization can apply the standard in practice, providing valuable insights into the operational, organizational, and traceability aspects of ISO 59014 within a real-world setting.
E[co]work was selected for this pilot due to its innovative approach to bridging the formal and informal e-waste sectors, promoting safe dismantling, social inclusion, and circular material flows. The report documents the company’s level of compliance with ISO 59014 (76% overall), identifies key challenges—such as limited resources, regulatory enforcement, and data traceability—and provides targeted recommendations for improvement.
Beyond the compliance analysis, the report highlights the broader implications of applying ISO 59014 for sustainable resource management, emphasizing its potential to enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and credibility in the recycling sector. It also showcases how integrating digital data management systems can make traceability more robust and support the verification of circular economy impact claims.
This publication is essential for e-waste recyclers, Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), auditors and consultants working on circular economy standards, and policy makers or development agencies supporting sustainable recycling. It will also interest researchers, social enterprises, and standardization professionals exploring the real-world application and benefits of ISO 59014 in developing-country contexts.
