R2 is the Responsible Recycling Standard for Electronic Waste handlers and is developed and maintained by Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), a non-profit organization created by the Electronics Sustainability Alliance. “V3” refers to the current revision of the R2 Standard. Version 3 of the R2 Standard was released in July 1, 2020 so many recyclers are in the midst of transitioning from the prior version (R2:2013) to the current Version 3 of the Standard. Recyclers throughout the downstream chain of electronic waste handling can be certified to the R2 Standard including, but not limited to, refurbishes, brokers, dismantlers, and collectors .
R2v is comprised of 10 Core Requirements that apply to all R2 Certifications, as well as 6 Special Process Requirements that apply only to Recyclers who perform specific processes such as data destruction, test & repair, or materials recovery.
A Recycler that is certified to the R2 Standard can take advantage of worldwide recognition of trust, transparency, and proper waste management.
What are the benefits of getting R2v3 Certified?
Despite the additional resource requirements on the Recycler, the benefits of certification to R2v3 significantly outweigh the burden. First and foremost, R2v3 Certification will open many doors by allowing the Recycler the ability to work with an entirely new range of clientele. Other benefits include, but is certainly not are not limited to, the following:
- Show your clients that you promote the safe and effective reuse, recovery, and recycling of electronic waste
- Fewer incidents due to better risk management
- Reduce workers’ compensation insurance cost
- Awareness and continued compliance with regulatory and legal requirements both domestically and internationally
- Avoid fees or fines incurred as a result of lax practices
- Organizational branding and marketing
- Demonstrate effective control of downstream recyclers
If I want to get R2v3 Certified, do I also need an EHS system?
Yes. R2v3, Core Requirement 3 (a) states “[a]n R2 Facility shall be certified by an accredited Certification Body, to one or more of the approve EHSMS standards, to plan and manage the environmental, health, and safety aspects of its operations.”
The approved EHSMS standards include ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ISO 45001 Health & Safety Management Systems.
Alternatively, the R2 Recycler may be certified to the RIOS:2016 standard. RIOS is the Recycling Industry Operations Standard and it actually includes management system requirements for Environmental, Health & Safety, and Quality.
If I want to get R2v3 Certified, do I also need to get certified to a Quality Management System.
This depends on the scope of your operations. Recyclers who engage in Test, Repair, or Brokering must also get certified to a Quality Management System such as ISO 9001:2015.
Alternatively, the R2 Recycler may be certified to the RIOS:2016 standard. Rios is the Recycling Industry Operational Standard and it actually includes management system requirements for Environmental, Health & Safety, and Quality.
How is R2v3 different from R2:2013?
R2v3 and R2:2013 are similar in many ways, however, there are expanded and more prescriptive clauses that are included in R2v3. For a comprehensive explanation of these differences, check out our complete list of R2v3 Core Requirement Read Along Series on YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYBWQmQvGQ7YsxWjVMM_fDQ/videos
I am not certified to the prior version of the R2 Standard (R2:2013), can I still get certification to R2:2013 or do I need to get R2v3 certified.
As of January 1, 2021 new certifications are only available to R2v3, as such, new recyclers, or those seeking a new certification must now certify to R2v3.
I already have R2:2013 Certification, when do I need to transition to R2v3.
The deadline for transitioning to R2v3 for existing certifications is January 1, 2022. If you have a current R2 Certification that expires on or before December 31, 2021, you may be recertified to R2:2013. Otherwise, a transition is necessary. GlenView Group specializes in R2v3 Certification and Transition. To get a free quote for a fast and stress-free transition, fill out our Initial Engagement Questionnaire here.
EHS
What is an EHS Management System?
An EHS System is a Environmental, Worker Health, and Worker Safety Management System. An EHS Management System is a series of processes and procedures that designed to reduce your organization’s environmental impacts as well as the risk to the health and safety of your workers. These elements often overlap making it easy and cost-effective to integrate an Environmental Management System with a Health & Safety Management System. A combination of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and ISO 45001 Health & Safety Management System is a common set of certifications that any and all organizations can achieve.
What are the benefits of Certification to an EHS Management System?
Despite the additional resources required to implement and maintain an EHS Management System, the overall cost savings and peace-of-mind greatly outweigh the burden. Other notable benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Fewer incidents due to better risk management
- Reduce workers’ compensation insurance cost
- Awareness and continued compliance with regulatory and legal requirements
- Avoid fees or fines incurred as a result of lax practices
- Organizational branding and marketing
How long does it take to get certified to an EHS Management System?
With any Management System Certification, the organization has to develop its processes & procedures, implement the requirements of the standard, train its employees on processes & procedures, and live in the system for a period of time prior to Stage 1 audit. This can take anywhere between 1-9 months depending on the size of the organization, the complexity of its operations, and the resources it has to devote to the Management System. This can be done internally or with a trusted Consultant such as GlenView Group.
Then Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit will be performed by a Certification Body with approximately 6 weeks in between each stage to allow the organization to respond to concerns. Once a Stage 2 audit is performed the organization has approximately 30-60 days to respond to the findings from Stage 2 (depending on the certification body). Once the Certification Body recommends the organization for certification it takes an additional 2-3 weeks to obtain the certificate.
Roughly speaking, it could take an organization between 3-12 months to get certification to the EHS Management System.
How do I get started?
The best place to start is by filling out the GlenView Group Engagement Questionnaire. This will provide us the information we need to draft a proposal to meet your needs. Once the project begins, we will help you get quotes and select a Certification Body while simultaneously developing your Management System documentation. Once we establish your Stage 1 and 2 audit dates, we will plan for and execute your internal audit and prepare you for your Stage 1 and 2 audits. You can even elect to have GlenView Group participate in your Stage 1 and 2 audits for extra peace of mind. However, our goal is to give you all the tools you need to successfully maintain your EHS Management System.
Where can I lean more?
GlenView Group has corporate training programs designed to disseminate the most vital information with regard to the Management Standards as well as best practices for implementation that is customized to your organization and can include all relevant roles in your organization. Fill out our Initial Engagement Questionnaire for a free quote.
GlenView Group also provides MasterClass Training which is a 5-day course that includes teachings of each section of the Standard, a complete set of document templates, internal auditor training and certification, as well as 1:1 time with our expert consultants. Click here for our MasterClass Calendar.
For further information with regard to R2V3 subscribe to our YouTube page for in depth discussions on each Core Requirement of R2V3. If you have any questions, reach out to us at 1(888) 405-2790 or email us at info@glenviewgroup.com.
