R2/RIOS

For a company to become a Certified Electronic Recycler, it must be certified to and implement two standards: R2 and RIOS. These programs help recyclers not only improve their operations but also meet these rising needs in the marketplace.

R2

A stakeholder group for the electronics recycling industry developed “Responsible Recycling” (R2) practices over several years. The EPA, states, manufacturers, recyclers, and trade groups developed the guidelines and policies for this practice. NGO’s R2 is the default standard that has been adopted by the industry in order to identify quality, responsible recyclers. In addition to having a comprehensive Environmental, Health, and Safety Management System (EHSMS) as well as other controls, companies seeking R2 status are required to:

• Institute a reuse and recovery hierarchy of responsible materials management
• Abide by all legal requirements, including imports and exports
• Protect worker health and safety and the environment
• Manage focus materials (FMs) on site and through selected downstream processors
• Refurbish and properly test reusable equipment and components
• Implement accepted data destruction procedures
• Maintain security procedures in all parts of the facility
• Possess adequate insurance as well as facility closure plan

RIOS

The Recycling Industry Operating Standard (RIOS)® provides an outline for a comprehensive, integrated management system for quality, environmental and health and safety (QEH&S) performance. The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) has approved RIOS® as an accredited certification program. Furthermore, ANAB accredited third-party auditors can verify RIOS requirements and certify recycling facilities.
Quality, Environment, Health & Safety, represented by the acronym “QEH&S”—are critically important concepts to every scrap recycler. RIOS members receive the RIOS Implementation Guide, which provides the QEH&S Footprint Identification Tool as well as other continuous improvement tools, and the other RIOS Internal Auditor Training Materials. RIOS® offers electronics recycling companies the fundamental tools needed to:

• Monitor and improve product quality, increasing customer satisfaction and confidence
• Keep on top of environmental compliance, decreasing environmental risks and costs
• Improve health & safety practices, reducing health & safety risks and costs
• Improve relations with your neighbors, legislators, and regulators
• Ensure continual improvement in your operations, boosting efficiency and profitability
• Empower your employees to work towards common goals, increasing productivity

RIOS® can make your company more likeable, ethical, efficient and profitable.
Recycling Industry Operating Standard (RIOS)

WHAT IS RIOS?

Companies that don’t adopt QEH&S are more likely to become inefficient, have problems, violations, and accidents, which in all practicality will end up hurting their bottom line. In contrast, companies that strive to meet QEH&S standards greatly affect profitability as well as future viability. This is where Recycling Industry Operating Standard—or RIOS—comes in.