Circular design of fishing gear and aquaculture equipment – NS-EN 17988

The NS-EN 17988 series is intended to guide manufacturers, designers, and stakeholders in developing fishing gear and aquaculture equipment in line with the principles of the circular economy. The standards cover all phases of a product's life cycle—from initial design to disposal or recycling—ensuring that materials can be reused, repaired, or repurposed efficiently.

A six-part standard series

The NS-EN 17988 standard series includes six parts:

• NS-EN 17988-1: General requirements and guidelines for circular design
• NS-EN 17988-2: User manuals and labelling
• NS-EN 17988-3: Technical requirements and guidelines
• NS-EN 17988-4: Environmental and circularity requirements and guidelines
• NS-EN 17988-5: Circular business models
• NS-EN 17988-6: Requirements and guidelines for digitizing component information for fishing and aquaculture gear

In addition, there is a supporting technical specification, SN-CEN/TS 18101, which defines key terms and concepts necessary for implementing the standards.

Benefits of the NS-EN 17988 series

The NS-EN 17988 series supports circularity in the fishing and aquaculture industries by addressing critical issues such as marine plastic pollution, gear loss, and inefficient use of resources. By standardizing circular practices, the series fosters innovation, supports environmental regulations, and improves waste management.

Fishing and aquaculture gear are often made from plastic and significantly contribute to marine litter when disposed of improperly. These standards provide the industry with a comprehensive framework to address these challenges. The NS-EN 17988 series offers clear guidance for minimizing environmental harm, supporting circular economy initiatives, and aligning with EU directives such as the Port Reception Facilities Directive and the Single-Use Plastics Directive.

For industry players, the standards serve as a practical roadmap for adopting sustainable practices, reducing costs, and meeting regulatory requirements. Society benefits from cleaner oceans and preserved marine ecosystems, while the environment gains from reduced plastic pollution and increased reuse of materials.