Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024

6 Circular economy targets

(1) The Scottish Ministers must by regulations make provision imposing targets on the Scottish Ministers relating to developing a circular economy.

(2) In considering the imposition of targets under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the desirability of the economy being one in which—

(a) processes for the production and distribution of goods, products and materials are designed so as to reduce their consumption and their whole life-cycle carbon emissions,

(b) the delivery of services is designed so as to reduce the consumption and whole life-cycle carbon emissions of goods, products and materials,

(c) goods, products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible to reduce their consumption, their whole life-cycle carbon emissions and their impacts on the environment,

(d) the maximum value is extracted from goods, products and materials by the persons using them,

(e) goods, products and materials are recovered or, where appropriate, regenerated at the end of their useful life,

(f) waste is managed in Scotland if it is appropriate to do so,

(g) due diligence in relation to environmental protection and human rights is exercised in supply chains.

(3) Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular—

(a) provide for targets in relation to one or more of the following—

(i) reducing carbon emissions associated with the consumption of materials,

(ii) increasing re-use,

(iii) increasing refurbishment,

(iv) increasing repair,

(v) increasing recycling,

(vi) reducing waste,

(b) prioritise sectors and systems most likely to contribute to developing a circular economy, with reference to the criteria for identifying those sectors and systems set out in section 1(12),

(c) provide for targets to be reviewed.

(4) Regulations under subsection (1) are subject to the affirmative procedure (but see section 8 in relation to the first regulations).

(5) Before laying a draft of a Scottish statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1) before the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a) such persons as they consider may have an interest in the targets, including public sector, private sector, charitable and international organisations,

(b) such other persons as they consider appropriate, and

(c) the general public.

(6) Regulations under subsection (1) may—

(a) make different provision for different purposes or areas,

(b) make incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision.