Draft circular economy strategy: Consumer Duty assessment

Stage 3 – Assessment and Improvement of Proposal:

8. What is the expected impact of a strategic decision on consumers in Scotland?

Evidence shows that many people want to reduce the carbon impact of the products that they buy but can struggle to move beyond low-impact changes^[1]. It is expected that the impact of the draft Circular Economy Strategy will be positive for consumers, helping them to easily make sustainable choices including increased reuse of products and materials, and reduced costs through promotion of remanufactured or second hand goods.

However, the actions that follow the publication of the final Strategy will be assessed for their impact on consumers, and further impact assessments, including the Consumer Duty Impact Assessment, will be carried out where appropriate.

9. Has SG had regard to the desirability of reducing harm to consumers in Scotland?

Yes – implementation of the final Circular Economy Strategy will help to provide local and sustainable employment opportunities and access to lower cost goods for consumers. For example, increasing opportunities for reuse and repair can shorten and strengthen supply chains, potentially provide lower cost options for consumers through mechanisms such as sharing libraries, and teach skills through repair cafes. It can also address some of the environmental blights on communities through reduced littering.

In these ways a more circular economy contributes strongly to community wealth building, which seeks to enable local communities to have a greater stake in, access to, and benefit from the wealth our economy generates. This is at the heart of place-based thinking, with the potential to create jobs, reduce supply chains and strengthen local and regional economies as part of a just transition.

Further impact assessments, including the Consumer Duty Impact Assessment, will be carried out where appropriate on actions following the publication of the final Strategy.

10. Is there a need for further engagement with consumers?

A public consultation will be conducted with a wide range of input from the relevant stakeholders and sectors to help inform our understanding on the potential impact on consumers. Any feedback received during the consultation will be considered as part of this assessment.

We are aware that there may be other impacts, either positive or negative, which have not yet been identified in this impact assessment, and we would therefore be grateful for any feedback during the consultation period.

The consultation will open 21 October 2025 and close on 13 January 2026.