SAI Global, through its Americas subsidiary, QMI – SAI Global, was the first registrar to achieve North American accreditation for ISO 14001, which also uses the Plan-Do-Check-Act structure required in R2, and remains a leader in providing customized service. SAI Global has registered organizations from a wide variety of sectors, including electronics recycling, recycling and waste management, energy, resources, manufacturing, transportation, food, services and more.
The R2 standard
The R2 Governing Council manages the content of
The Responsible Recycling© (R2) standard. The goal of the standard is to create a voluntary, market-based mechanism for ensuring best practices, which would also provide essential information/assurance to prospective customers. The standard builds on an ISO style Plan-Do-Check-Act management system as a platform, and integrates:
- Environmental, health and safety management
- Media sanitization
- Export and disposal restrictions
- Chain of custody accountability
- Transportation controls
The result is a comprehensive standard addressing the specific concerns of the e-waste recycling and refurbishment industries.
Why is this standard necessary?
The health, safety and environmental impacts that result from this waste stream are significant.
Toxic waste stream - This complex waste stream contains many toxins, such as mercury, lead, cadmium and certain brominated flame retardants.
Impact on developing countries – Illegal export of this waste to developing countries is a common practice, and causes significant harm.
Data security concerns - Data in the memory devices of electronic equipment is sensitive. It is essential that electronics recycling ensures that data security and privacy requirements are managed responsibly.
Why is the certification program important?
The certification program is important because it provides a mechanism for managing and communicating commitment for:
- Leadership in operations, safety and environmental performance
- Accountability for e-waste to final disposition
- Data security
Who can become R2 certified?
The R2 Standard has been designed to serve recyclers, which includes but is not limited to electronics resellers, refurbishers, recyclers, demanufacturers, asset recoverers, brokers, as well as leasing companies that engage in these activities
Assuring Confidence
The accredited certification program has been developed by a multi-stakeholder group consisting of: the U.S. EPA; regulators from state agencies; electronic recyclers, refurbishers and their trade associations; OEMS/customers of electronic recycling services; NGOs. ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) provides oversight of the independent R2 Certification Bodies (CBs), who in turn assure a recycler’s conformity to the Standard.
CBs must continually demonstrate to ANAB that they operate in accordance to the requirements of:
- ISO 17021© Conformity assessment –Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management system
Who can certify an R2 system?
Only recognized certification bodies can provide R2 certification. No unaccredited certifications or claims of system conformity are permitted. Certification to the program requires at least an annual independent audit.
QMI-SAI Global is now accredited by ANAB to offer R2 certification.
REQUEST A QUOTE for R2 Certification
Additional questions about the standard may be directed to John Fraser at (800) 465-3717.
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