What is R2v3 Certification?

Since 2014, Surplus Service has maintained its R2 Certification and compliance, a SERI-approved certifying authority conducts a multi-step audit as part of the certification process, which includes site inspections, staff interviews, documentation reviews, and chances for corrective action to bring all aspects of an operation into conformity.

Protecting people, the environment, data, and resources.

New labeling requirements for reusable equipment were introduced in R2:2013 to strengthen the standard and offer safeguards for buyers of refurbished electronics.

Appropriate labeling must be included on at least one document tied to each sale such as the Bill of Sale, Sales Order, Product Description, Invoice, or other accompanying documentation.

Data protection

All reusable products must be covered by a quality assurance plan and be wiped of all data. “Sanitization” refers to the act of deleting and wiping data from a data storage device in such a way that it cannot be retrieved using generally used tools or techniques. Sanitization includes the erasure of every user label, mark, and activity record in addition to the logical or physical destruction of every piece of data on the storage media. Many sanitization methods, including software overwriting, degaussing, burning, shredding, disintegration, grinding, embossing, etc., may be utilized, depending on the storage medium in question.

Environment Protection

The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives of recyclers and their clients can benefit greatly from having R2-certified facilities. Electronics recyclers must conduct their business in a secure, effective, and ecologically responsible manner in order to comply with SERI’s specifications. Although achieving greener operations without going through the R2v3 process is conceivable, the standards’ recommendations offer a clear structure for doing so.

Why does R2v3 Matter?

R2 Certification is completely re-audited after three years, with brief surveillance audits made in the middle years. Only facilities that comply with all aspects of the standard, are current on all needed audits and monitoring, and have completed all relevant documentation and payments to SERI are eligible to claim R2 Certification for electronics recycling and ITAD. R2 practice requires the certificate carrier to be certified to an authorized Environmental Health & Safety system. The Surplus Service EHS system has been approved by Orion ISO.

Electronics recyclers can assist prospective customers make educated decisions and have improved trust that used electronic equipment has been treated in a sustainable way by certifying to this standard through an established third-party certification authority. R2 certification enables electronics recyclers to demonstrate their worth to customers, workers, the community, and the public.

Surplus Service was one of a few recyclers of electronics to obtain R2 Certification. The R2 requirements that hold us responsible for prioritizing reuse and recovery, screening our downstream vendors, and guaranteeing complete data removal or sanitization are the ones we believe have the biggest impact on our clients.

What is the difference between R2:2013 and R2v3?

The main difference between R2:2013 and R2v3 is that the more recent version calls on businesses to describe what they do in a great deal more depth, creating a challenge and compliance in certification. New labeling requirements for reusable equipment were introduced in R2:2013 to strengthen the standard and offer safeguards for buyers of refurbished electronics. Appropriate labeling must be included on at least one document tied to each sale such as the Bill of Sale, Sales Order, Product Description, Invoice, or other accompanying documentation. All the R2 Core Requirements and any R2 Process Requirements applicable to the scope of activities undertaken shall be conformed to by an R2 Facility. R2 Core Requirements include the following:

1. Environment, Health, and Safety - All recyclers that have earned the R2 certification must have an independent environmental, health, and safety management system, such as ISO or RIOS.
2. Reuse & Recover - R2 certified recyclers are required to have a documented policy declaring to prioritize Reuse and Recovery possibilities for material before considering less desired choices like burning and landfilling, which are only permitted “if no reuse or recycling options are viable.”
3. Legal Requirements - This requirement in the R2v3 Standard is focused on adhering to the previously existing regulations for data security, environmental safety, and health in relation to the processing, transportation, and import or export of electronic equipment, components, and materials.
4. Environment, Health, and Safety - On-site The Scope has two main functions. Ensures that the certification properly identifies and covers all R2 eligible procedures. Gives information that is transparent about the individual operations that have been audited and certified at a facility.
5. Focus Materials - This section specifies a number of conditions that eligible downstream vendors must meet.
6. Reusable Tools and Components - Reuse to be the ideal method of recycling electronics and anticipates R2 Certified recyclers to place a strong emphasis on repair and reuse in their business practices.
7. Tracking Throughput - In accordance with this requirement area, an R2 Facility must track and manage the throughput of all electronic materials, parts, and equipment and maintain appropriate records detailing the movement of all electronic objects. Core 5 is designed to make sure that all equipment and material streams are recognized, recorded, and effectively controlled throughout processing. It necessitates careful monitoring and documentation of: - incoming streams of materials and equipment - changes made to those streams as a consequence of internal processing - Storage of outbound streams that depart the facility and negative value streams (i.e., streams that cost money to process) is limited to a year.
8. Data Destruction – This provision offers information on the different types of data-bearing devices and best practices for ensuring that they are data-free through destruction and sanitization.
9. Storage The e-waste will be securely stored at a location where recycling and other possible uses are guaranteed.
10. Security This section discusses how to evaluate, arrange, and classify electronic equipment in accordance with the R2 Equipment Categorization standard. To undertake sorting and classification of electronic equipment prior to processing, an R2 Facility is required to create and maintain a process document. It also necessitates the creation of guidelines and standards that take into account whether the components may be recycled based on their functioning and physical state. Additionally, R2v3’s Security feature deals with restricting physical access to data storage devices in an R2 Facility in accordance with the following rules:
11. In accordance with the electronic equipment, the sensitivity of the data, and the requirements of the suppliers, an R2 Facility should develop a security program to control access to data storage devices.
12. Based on the kind of data storage device and the sensitivity of the data, the R2 Facility should create security authorization levels to manage access for staff, visitors, etc.
13. People who are given access to restricted areas should sign a written admission of responsibility, which the R2 Facility should keep on file.
14. Create an incident response plan to investigate and notify suppliers, the appropriate authorities, and other parties when a data breach occurs.

See also: Other certifications held by Surplus Service

Other resources

Highlights-Sheet-2021.pdf (sustainableelectronics.org)
Meet R2v3: The newest R2 recycling certification - IMSM US
We Answer The 5 Most Common Questions about R2v3 – GlenView Group, Inc.

Experience, dedication to environmental sustainability, adherence to regulatory compliance and an extensive range of services - what more could you ask for? Get in touch today to discover how we can assist with managing your electronic waste.