Areas for further cooperation Identify and pilot practical solutions to remove trade barriers affecting secondary materials and refurbished or remanufactured products.PRIORITY ACTION Stronger international cooperation could play an important role in identifying circular economy- related trade barriers that are common across jurisdictions. These include procedural challenges affecting the cross-border movement of secondary raw materials, as well as remanufactured and refurbished goods. By systematically documenting these challenges, cooperation mechanisms can help build a shared understanding of where existing trade, customs and regulatory frameworks are misaligned with circular economy objectives and the associated negative economic impacts. A key priority is to design and implement cross- border pilot activities to test practical solutions in controlled settings – and international cooperation could help support this goal. Such pilots could explore the following: –The feasibility and benefits of regional circular resource recovery hubs. –More streamlined systems for electronic prior informed consent (under the Basel Convention). –Internationally accredited trading platforms for refurbished and remanufactured products. In doing so, these pilots could generate practical evidence on how interoperable trade systems and shared certification approaches can support trusted circular flows, while remaining compliant with existing regulatory requirements. For international cooperation on this agenda to be effective and credible, pilots would need to ensure inclusive participation across developed, emerging and least-developed economies, alongside engagement from relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. This would help balance interests, align any proposed solutions with existing international rules and conventions (e.g. those governing hazardous waste shipments) and support a more equitable distribution of the benefits of circular trade. The Future of Materials Systems: Cooperation Opportunities in a Multipolar World 28

The Future of Materials Systems 2026