Our Ethics, Compliance & Safeguarding Principles

Circle by OPLN convenes producers, policymakers, technical experts, and other stakeholders to advance packaging EPR literacy and implementation learning. That mission depends on trust — in the integrity of our convenings, the independence of our work, and the safeguards we maintain for every participant.

A heap of crushed plastic bottles and containers, including a blue bottle with a red and white label, mixed with various colorful packaging waste.

Antitrust & Competition Safeguards
‍Circle's convenings are designed to facilitate policy literacy and non-competitive implementation learning.
To protect the integrity of our work and comply with antitrust laws, participants may not discuss:
- Current or future prices, fees, surcharges, or other terms of sale
- Customer- or supplier-specific strategies, including allocation of markets or customers
- Non-public cost structures, margins, or compensation
- Agreements to boycott, refuse to deal with, or disadvantage any competitor, customer, or supplier
- Circle staff may interrupt or redirect any discussion that approaches these topics.

All EPR Readiness Circle and EPR Policy Circle sessions operate under Chatham House Rule and are governed by these safeguards.

‍Ethics & Independence
‍Circle is not a lobbying firm. We do not lobby on behalf of clients, and we do not make campaign contributions. Where legislators or government officials participate in Circle events, their participation complies with relevant ethics rules. We coordinate with ethics officers in advance and provide all required documentation.

Where travel or registration support is provided to any participant, we obtain prior approvals, make any required disclosures, and maintain full documentation. Stakeholder participation in Circle convenings is by invitation and nomination, aimed at diversity of viewpoints.