Certification programs for electronics recycling and IT asset disposition (ITAD) are an important way for companies to demonstrate compliance to industry standards. When enterprises tender their ITAD and disposal services, these certifications provide reassurance that potential vendors operate to best practices.
Sustainable Electronics Recycling International’s (SERI) Responsible Recycling (R2) Standard is the world’s most widely adopted standard for used electronics reuse and recycling. A voluntary, global standard, R2 addresses the full reverse supply chain from first use through end-of-life and includes environmental, health & safety, quality and data security standards, all in one package. Companies with the certification follow specific rules and regulations that set them apart from non-R2 certified companies. Over 900 facilities in 36 countries around the world hold R2 certification.
SERI has recently launched R2v3, an updated standard for an ever-changing world. Last revised in 2013, the updated standard builds on the core requirements within the previous version and includes an increased emphasis on reuse and protecting data, strengthening requirements in key areas such as environmental health and safety, and clarified requirements and expectations.
Some of the new regulations associated with R2v3 certification include providing sanitary facilities for workers, prohibiting child labor, and requiring security controls to be implemented and monitored to limit access to equipment. Clients sending equipment to a certified facility can feel confident that their e-waste is disposed of in a secure and environmentally responsible manner.
To support the launch of SERI’s new R2v3 Certification Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS), Greeneye Partners and Vertmonde came together to create Spanish R2v3 documents to donate to Latin American facilities in order to facilitate their transition to the new standard. Additionally, a free webinar workshop going over the documents has been offered to companies that are interested. The goal of the initiative is to educate, prepare, and provide facilities with information on R2v3 Certification.
This isn’t the first time that SLS assisted with an initiative with SERI; we supported the original Latin America Project in 2016 that SERI coordinated to help facilities adopt R2 Certification. SLS worked with SERI, DirectTV and Greeneye Partners to expand R2 Certification to facilities in Chile, Ecuador and Colombia.
About the Initiative
SLS is proud to be part of such a meaningful project with these great companies. As an R2 leader, it is important to us to help facilities earn their certifications. We look forward to contributing to future projects with SERI.
If you’re interested in the webinar and can’t attend, there will be a recording of it available. Additionally, access to the new Implementation Documents can be given by emailing Katherine Delich at Greeneye Partners [email protected]