The circular economy is regarded as a pivotal advancement in achieving sustainability and mitigating the environmental impact associated with waste generation within the electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sector, which is known for generating substantial volumes of e-waste. This study seeks to investigate the hindrances to the adoption of circular economy principles within the procurement processes for used products in the EEE sector. A comprehensive literature review has delineated potential hindrances to the acquisition of second-hand products as well as challenges in the application of circular economy principles. The research methodology employed a synthesis of expert interviews and the fuzzy TOPSIS method to systematically prioritize the identified hindrances to the procurement of second-hand products. The findings of the study indicate that consumer perception constitutes the most significant hindrance to the purchase of used products, succeeded by technological constraints and the insufficiency of support and incentives within the EEE sector. In the fuzzy TOPSIS analysis, the identified hindrances are systematically organized in a coherent manner, taking into account the inherent uncertainties and ambiguities present in expert evaluations. Consequently, this has profound implications for businesses, policymakers, and consumers, providing actionable recommendations for the formulation of targeted strategies and interventions aimed at addressing these critical hindrances. This could expedite the transition towards a circular economy in the EEE sector. While this study contributes to the academic discourse surrounding circular economy principles, it also acknowledges inherent limitations, which may arise from potential biases in expert perspectives and underscores the necessity for further research to investigate the roles of various stakeholders throughout the different stages of the product life cycle.