e-Waste Recycling Certification

Only about 25% of e-waste is recycled, and it is not always managed responsibly. This causes environmental and health risks from hazardous materials as well as data security risks related to data destruction.

Certifying to an industry standard for safer recycling and disposal of electronic waste demonstrates your organization’s commitment to responsible and effective e-waste management.

NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), an NSF company, is accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to certify to the Responsible Recycling (R2), Recycling Industry Operating Standard™ (RIOS™) and e-Stewards programs.

R2 is the leading standard for electronics repair and recycling. It provides a common set of processes, safety measures and documentation requirements for businesses that repair and recycle used electronics.

R2 practices include general principles and specific practices for recyclers disassembling or reclaiming used electronics equipment including equipment exported for refurbishment and recycling.

R2 certification addresses:

• An in-place environmental, health and safety management system (EHSMS)
• Worker health and safety and environmental protection
• Material management and recovery planning
• Traceability and accountability (downstream due diligence throughout the recycling stream, including international vendors)
• Data security
• Insurance requirements
• Legal compliance

You can also become a Certified Electronics Recycler® by certifying to both R2 and the Recycling Industry Operating Standard™ (RIOS™) at the same time.

RIOS™ is an integrated quality, environmental, health and safety management system certification. It allows recyclers to more effectively manage their system, which results in stronger health and safety programs, greater environmental responsibility and better operational efficiency.

Whether recycling paper, plastic, metals, textiles, electronics or tires, recyclers of all commodities are able to adopt RIOS™. RIOS™ is appropriate for both small and large firms anywhere in the world.

You can also become a Certified Electronics Recycler® by certifying to both RIOS™ and Responsible Recycling (R2) standard at the same time.

The e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment is a comprehensive set of performance requirements for the electronics recycling and asset recovery industries. ISO 14001 is fully integrated into the e-Stewards Standard, resulting in dual certification to both ISO 14001 and the e-Stewards Standard in one audit process.

e-Stewards is applicable internationally and meets:

• International waste trade laws
• Social accountability standards
• Data privacy requirements of customers
• Environmental and health and safety management system norms

e-Stewards recyclers abide by a rigorous set of requirements and do not export hazardous electronic waste to developing countries or allow such toxic materials to be disposed of in municipal landfills. They also ensure that industry workers are protected from occupational hazards.