LAUSR

Abstract Transitioning to a circular economy depends on transforming the behaviour of both producers and consumers. Product labelling schemes are regularly offered as a solution to support those shifts. While numerous labelling schemes and related research on the effectiveness of individual schemes exist, it remains unclear how impactful labelling is in supporting circular economy outcomes. The emergence of behavioural public policy presents new opportunities for knowledge translation in this field. This study provides a systematic, succinct overview of evidence using a rapid review methodology, identifying and summarising existing systematic reviews or reports. A comprehensive search was undertaken in three databases of publications between 2000 and 2019, yielding 4,875 citations. Following screening by two independent reviewers, 10 reviews were included. Several key drivers and barriers for adopting product labelling schemes among consumers and businesses were identified. The existing evidence provides limited support for the impact of labelling schemes on behaviour, the environment, and business. Overall, results indicate that eco-labels on their own are an information-based communication tool that is unlikely to create significant shifts in consumer choices or production. Conditions required for schemes to have optimal impact and recommendations to amplify impact drawing on behavioural science are discussed.