The use of analytical methods and techniques ensures the high quality, safety, and compliance of materials and products cycled back in circular economy systems. However, despite this connection, the analytical chemistry sector still largely adheres to the linear "take-make-consume and dispose" model, requiring a continuous supply of resources and generating hazardous waste.
This contribution presents the new concept of circular analytical chemistry that aims to decouple analytical performance rates from resource consumption rates. The concept is formulated in the form of twelve actions that facilitate the transition towards a resourceefficient, closed-loop, and waste-free analytical chemistry sector. These actions cover the entire lifecycle of products and build upon the knowledge gained from circular economy and chemistry principles, sustainability practices, and green analytical chemistry [1–4]. Circular analytical chemistry goes beyond the greenness of analytical methods and targets the radical transformation of the entire production, consumption, and disposal system by establishing connections between post-use and production stages.
The alignment of analytical chemistry with the circular economy, along with the integration of sustainability considerations, is a crucial paradigm shift that is essential for the sector to support global efforts in protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development.
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