Officially launched… “CIRCULAR MARK”, a symbol that represents a certified renewable product, reinforcing consumer confidence in product quality and creating added value for products for entrepreneurs. It is a guarantee that the products and packaging are designed to facilitate material recycling, and that the production process is environmentally friendly.
With the goal of driving the country’s circular economy policy, this is an important part of the BCG economic model, which is a national level agenda. PMUC has funded the development of the “CIRCULAR MARK”, the first developed environmental labeling system for renewable products in the region and the world. Assoc. Prof. Rattanawan Mangkang, Ph.D., director of VGreen, is the head of the research project, with a goal to close the gap and unite key stakeholders in the value chain, including brand owners, manufacturers, consumers and recyclers, to create a concrete circular economy in Thailand by focusing on 5 target industries, namely food, agriculture, building materials, plastic packaging, and fashion/lifestyle. This effort is aimed at encouraging Thai entrepreneurs to approach marketing from a wider perspective, reinforcing leadership in the circular economy, strengthening the brand and increasing competitiveness of the country as a whole.
On May 6, 2022, PMUC, in collaboration with partner agencies, namely the Center of Expertise on Environmentally Friendly Business Strategies (VGreen), Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University and the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), along with the Ministry of Industry, Federation of Thai Industries, convening in conjunction with a cooperative project among public, private, and the civil society sectors in the management of plastic and waste in a sustainable way, or PPP Plastics group, to jointly hold a press conference titled “CIRCULAR MARK, CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN ACTION” to hand over a prototype of environmental product labeling system to the Thailand Environment Institute for follow-thru action. Also an MOU was signed between PMUC, TISI, OPDC, FTI in developing the CIRCULAR MARK as a standard and national certification system. Also, a CIRCULAR MARK certificate was awarded to 30 pilot companies and 376 products that became the leading Circular Companies of the country.
In addition, at the event, there was a discussion on ways to develop Circular Mark towards a national standard and certification system. The panelists included Mr. Wicharn Simachaya, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Economic Development subcommittee under the BCG Model, with a focus on the Circular Economy, Assoc. Prof. Siree Chaiseri, Ph.D., director of Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), Mr. Eknitit Romyanon, deputy secretary of Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Mr. Krisada Ruangchotiwit, a member of the task force at the CCP on Sustainable Development, Federation of Thai Industries. The discussion was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Rattanawan Mangkang, Ph.D., director of VGreen.
At the end of the discussion, Assoc. Prof. Siree Chaiseri, Ph.D., director of PMUC, said that “PMUC is ready to support and push for closing of various gaps in certification and verification mechanisms. Moreover, in this fiscal year 2023 specifically, PMUC is focusing on supporting research projects in circular economy in order to close the gap and connect relevant agencies in collaborative efforts to create a tangible progress towards a circular economy in Thailand. If any agency wishes to request funding for a project that is not within the ordinary scope of work of that agency, but rather a required task to obtain a certification or is something that needs to be done in cooperation with many agencies, PMUC will be happy to consider and help push to make it happen.”
The environmental labeling system for circular products, “CIRCULAR MARK”, has a comprehensive review of requirements covering resource waste, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts throughout the product life cycle. The aim is to promote the maximization of resource usage, to keep it circulating in the system to create as much economic value as possible, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other environmental impacts, in line with the country’s circular economy policy. The ultimate goal is to create good and safe environment and good quality of life for Thai society and the world community.
For entrepreneurs who are interested in requesting for CIRCULAR MARK certification for your products, please contact Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) at Tel. 02503 3333, email info@tei.or.th.
