The establishment of a circular economy offers significant market potential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). At the same time, regulations create bureaucratic hurdles that place a particular burden on SMEs. Using the examples of steel recycling and the extraction of mineral raw materials, the authors demonstrate, amongst other things, that ineffective regulatory frameworks lead to distortions in resource allocation.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2026 Regulations in the Circular Economy: How Can Environmental Protection Be Promoted While Simultaneously Strengthening Small and Medium-Sized Businesses?
Rothgang, M.; Dehio, J, (2026): Regulierungen in der Kreislaufwirtschaft: Wie kann der Umweltschutz gefördert und gleichzeitig der Mittelstand gestärkt werden?, in: FGF-Forschungsnetzwerk Entrepreneurship, Innovation und Mittelstand e.V. und IfM Bonn: Policy Brief "Unternehmertum im Fokus" 5/26, Bonn.