ENKORE at the DiCE Annual Event: advancing circularity in European healthcare
On 20 November, ENKORE ECOHEALTHCARE took part in the DiCE Annual Event: Circularity in Healthcare – From Policy to Practice, held at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. The event brought together European initiatives, policymakers, industry representatives and research organisations to discuss how circular approaches can be embedded more effectively in the healthcare system.
ENKORE's involvement in the policy workshop
The project was represented by Xenia Beltrán, Senior Project Manager at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), the public coordinator of ENKORE. Xenia participated in the Policy Workshop, which examined how European regulations influence the design, use and end-of-life management of medical devices.
The discussion touched on several ongoing policy debates, including:
- the impact of the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) on circular design and reuse pathways;
- how the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) may shape future requirements for medical technologies;
- the regulatory challenges connected to cross-border handling of devices and healthcare waste;
- and opportunities for better coordination between European projects working on circularity.
UPM contributed ENKORE’s perspective, highlighting the need for regulatory clarity and alignment to make circular practices workable in real clinical environments, without compromising safety or performance.
Building common ground across European initiatives
The annual event also offered space to connect ENKORE’s work with the progress made by projects such as DiCE and INCREACE. Although each initiative has its own focus, all are addressing complementary aspects of the same wider challenge: eco-design, smarter waste collection, value-chain mapping, and practical tools for industry and healthcare providers.
For ENKORE, the discussions reinforced the value of coordinated efforts, both in research and in policy development, to ensure that circular solutions can be adopted at scale.
Looking ahead
ENKORE will continue to work closely with partners and policymakers as it advances its European Eco-Design Framework, prepares the next phase of clinical pilots, and refines its policy recommendations.
The event in Eindhoven provided a timely opportunity to exchange insights and strengthen collaboration at a moment when circularity is becoming an essential component of Europe’s sustainability agenda for healthcare.
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