The Responsible Recycling (R2) Standard establishes reuse and recycling practices for the management of used electronics globally. One of the practices relates to categorization and labeling/identification of focus material and non-focus material while it is at the Recycler’s facilities and during transportation.
Provision 6 the previous 2013 version of the R2 standard provided that reusable equipment or components be categorized as either of the following three categories:
- Tested for Full Functions, R2/Ready for Reuse;
- Tested for Key Functions, R2/Ready for Resale; or
- Evaluated and Non-Functioning, R2/Ready for Repair
The R2V3 standard, published in 2020, includes the R2 Equipment Categorization (“REC”) document as a supplement to the standard with more detailed framework for categorizing reusable equipment or components.
The categories listed in the REC may be applied to
- Individual pieces of equipment or components;
- Batches of equipment or components;
- Specific storage areas.
Furthermore, the status assigned to the equipment or components by an R2 facility may be accepted with confidence by other R2 facilities to allow for continuity in the continued processing of such equipment.
Upon receipt of equipment or components, R2 facility must establish the R2 Applicability as well as its Data Sanitization Status using the categories listed in Table 1 and 2 of the REC and label the equipment and components accordingly. If the equipment or components are labeled for reuse (test and repair), then further categorization is required once the equipment is reviewed for cosmetic defects and testing. The Cosmetic and Functioning product categories are detailed in Table 3 and 4 of the REC.
If your particular R2 facility already has a defined method for categorizing equipment and components, you may continue to use your categorization as long as you draft an auditable cross-reference document to ensure consistency with the REC. Additionally, not every category is required to be used by every R2 facility. Only use the categories that apply to you.
In order to ease your transition to the new R2V3 standard, the below table provides a thorough comparison of the older R2 reuse categories cross-referenced with the newer R2 reuse categories.
NOTE ON CATEGORY C1 AND C2: These particular categories signify that the unit is not functional as a whole, however components such as CPUs, motherboards, sound cards, RAM, etc… may be extracted for reuse. Once the components are removed from the unit, they must be evaluated and labeled separately using the REC categories provided in Table 3 and 4.
The GlenView Group R2v3 Management System MasterClass offers both R2v3 Management System and Internal Auditor Training as well as 1:1 consultation designed to help you set up, implement, and audit your R2v3 Management System. MasterClass participants will learn each clause of the R2v3 Standard (including Appendixes) and how each clause is relevant to your organization. MasterClass participants also receive guidance on implementation, best practices, and training on how to use the entire R2v3 Management System Documentation Templates.
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.
