Processors participating in Washington, D.C.’s electronics recycling program must carry e-Stewards certification next year. It’s a change from the previous rules, which allowed either e-Stewards or R2 to satisfy the certification requirement.
Two electronics manufacturers and a reverse logistics contractor recently described what they look for in recycling vendors. They also discussed how audits have changed during the pandemic – and why some changes may be here to stay.
The e-Stewards certification standard this week named companies that showed conformity with the standard during unannounced inspections this year. The group also announced companies that had positive results when their downstreams were audited with GPS trackers.
The International Electrotechnical Commission in recent months launched a process to create a worldwide e-scrap management standard.
A committee at Sustainable Electronics Recycling International gave the green light to move forward with adding solar panels to the R2 certification standard.
Companies with R2-certified facilities will be able to access discounted RIOS environmental health and safety management resources through a new partnership.
The coronavirus has forced e-scrap companies to navigate material supply shifts, tackle new safety concerns and confront wider economic uncertainty. Another complication to add to the list: certification audits.
After thousands of volunteer hours and dozens of meetings over nearly five years, stakeholders working to update the R2 standard have reached the finish line.