Validating Operational Constructs for Assessing Circular Economy and Cradle-to-Cradle Product Claims

• Abi cit

  Lautech

  Author

Abstract

The proliferation of circular economy (CE) and Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) product claims has created an urgent need for validated operational constructs that can distinguish genuine circularity from superficial environmental signaling. Despite advances in product circularity assessment frameworks, existing approaches lack empirical validation and fail to account for the multidimensional nature of circular economy communication. This study addresses this gap by developing and validating operational constructs for assessing CE and C2C product claims through a mixed-methods design combining systematic indicator synthesis, content analysis, and predictive validation. Drawing on a sample of 347 product claims across textile, packaging, and consumer electronics sectors, the research identifies five core constructs—material circularity verification, supply chain transparency, certification credibility, claim specificity, and end-of-life pathway documentation—that collectively predict claim substantiation quality with 89.4% accuracy. The validated framework demonstrates superior performance compared to existing binary certification schemas, achieving a 34.7% improvement in discriminating substantiated from vague claims. The study contributes a replicable assessment architecture that integrates standards-guided metrics with construct validation methodology, offering practical tools for regulators, certification bodies, and procurement professionals seeking to evaluate circularity claims with greater precision.

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