CSE spotlights product circularity at ESG summit in Amsterdam

The Center for Sustainability and Excellence used the World ESG & Climate Summit 2026 in Amsterdam to argue that product circularity is becoming a competitive advantage for companies. The presentation highlighted measurable product performance, independent verification and a new CSE rating aimed at helping organizations assess circularity.

Why it matters: - Product-level circularity is moving from a sustainability talking point to a business requirement. - Companies that can show measurable results and verified assurance may be better positioned to meet ESG expectations, strengthen resilience and build stakeholder trust. - The shift matters for how organizations design, assess, manufacture and market products.

What happened: - The Center for Sustainability and Excellence participated in the 3rd Annual World ESG & Climate Summit 2026 in Amsterdam on May 27–28, 2026. - CSE President Nikos Avlonas delivered a presentation titled “Product Circularity as a Strategic Advantage: Ratings and Assurance.” - The summit brought together senior ESG, climate, finance and sustainability leaders from organizations including Siemens, DHL Supply Chain, Lloyd’s Register, ING Group, Merck Group, Evonik Industries, Vattenfall, Crédit Agricole CIB, BNP Paribas Netherlands, NatWest, Arup, Mitsubishi Chemical Europe, Metsä Group and the European Environment Agency.

The details: - CSE focused its contribution on the need for companies to show that sustainability is embedded in products, not only in corporate strategy. - The presentation argued that businesses are moving beyond broad sustainability commitments toward product-level performance, independently verified results and assurance-backed credibility. - Avlonas positioned product circularity as a strategic business advantage. - Avlonas also emphasized integrating product circularity and organizational circularity into overall ESG performance. - CSE introduced a new rating, supported by external verification, to help organizations assess and improve product circularity performance. - CSE said its work spans international consulting, professional training, research and thought leadership aimed at more sustainable, resilient and circular business models.

Between the lines: - The message reflects a broader ESG trend: investors, customers and regulators are demanding evidence, not just commitments. - A rating and verification model can help turn circularity into something companies can measure, compare and communicate. - The emphasis on products suggests ESG credibility may increasingly depend on operational proof at the product level.

What's next: - CSE plans to continue supporting organizations as they transition toward more sustainable, resilient and circular business models. - The company is also promoting its Certified Sustainability ESG Practitioner Program – Advanced Edition 2026. - CSE is expanding its Circular Economy Certification for professionals worldwide. - CSE says it has a presence in 90 countries and has certified more than 11,000 sustainability and ESG professionals.

The bottom line: - CSE is betting that measurable product circularity will become a core marker of ESG leadership.