Digital security

Device Renewal Forum offers certification

Electronics recycler ERS International, based in Toronto, says one of its facilities is on track to be the first plant certified by the Device Renewal Forum (DRF), an organization based in Costa Mesa, Calif., that focuses on the secure and safe handling of used smartphones and mobile devices.

As a certifying body, DRF says its goals include:

• Ensuring “quality” renewed devices enter the market;
• Establishing an expected quality level for renewed devices and a minimum level of compliance for the renewing processes;
• Specifying a rigorous approach for evaluating renewed devices; and
• Promoting industry and public awareness of a “gold-standard” renewal certification.

DRF certification offers many benefits, says Rick Fine, global director of business solutions for ERS International. “A DRF sticker on all of our resold devices will mean the phone is not stolen, previous data has been absolutely wiped free and the phone works for the new owner and it has a certain cosmetic value or appearance,” he says.

In addition to ERS International, other DRF members include Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Brightstar Corp., Blancco US LLC, ecoATM and ReCellular.

DRF says “all types of wireless devices powered by each of the major technologies” are eligible for certification through its system.

More information on the DRF is available at http:// devicerenewalforum.org.