RIOS, R2 form alliance

The Recycling Industry Operating Standard (RIOS), which is managed by the Global Recycling Standards Organization (GRSO), has announced that it has formed an alliance with the R2 certification program, developed and managed by SERI, Hastings, Minnesota. The alliance is designed to facilitate collaboration to improve training and education programs, streamline the process for companies seeking R2 and RIOS certifications, lower the overall cost of certification and support the responsible recycling, reuse and repair of electronics, according to a news release about the partnership.

The R2 Standard is a voluntary standard for electronics refurbishers and recyclers. R2 certified facilities also are required to be certified to environmental, health and safety management (EHS) system standards. Refurbishers also are required to be certified to a quality management system standard in R2v3. RIOS is an integrated quality, environmental, health and safety (QEHS) management system certification designed specifically for the recycling industry by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington.

All companies that are pursuing or currently are certified to R2 will receive the Association Alliance membership rate, which is 50 percent of the normal membership rate. Membership includes the “RIOS Implementation Guide,” access to all RIOS training programs and the other membership benefits of RIOS.

GRSO and SERI say they will collaborate to develop QEHS management system training that is specific to those companies seeking R2 certification. The RIOS standard also will be publicly available for free to anyone, regardless of their R2 affiliation, and RIOS and R2 staff and leadership will collaborate to find ways to streamline the audit experience for companies seeking R2 and RIOS certification.

“Every electronics recycling standard is built on a strong quality, environmental, health and safety management system,” SERI Executive Director Corey Dehmey says. “RIOS is the only management system standard designed specifically for recyclers. I see great opportunities for R2 certified recyclers when R2 and RIOS work together to support recyclers in achieving the management system requirements of R2.”

“We are excited to form this alliance with R2, which will allow our organizations to provide the highest level of support and service to the industry,” says RIOS Executive Director Darrell Kendall. “Our goal is to raise the level of performance across the electronics recycling, refurbishing and repair markets while lowering the overall cost of certification and making it possible for all companies to participate.”