Remote audits have become a more common option in recent months. | shelleygraphy/Shutterstock
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.
The revised standard will replace R2:2013, to which over 950 facilities around the world are currently certified. | Castleski/Shutterstock
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.
Dutch company Closing the Loop buys scrap phones from local collectors in Africa. | Photo by Closing the Loop, provided courtesy of TCO Development
Sustainability certification organization TCO Development launched a program through which purchases of new electronics will fund e-scrap recycling in developing countries.
Leaders at both R2 and e-Stewards cited safety concerns for recycling and refurbishing operations as well as the auditors that visit them. | Courtesy R2 Corporation
The administrators of e-scrap standards are adjusting auditing and certification procedures in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. R2 and e-Stewards both published guidance on the temporary policies this week.
Certified companies can continue to use the previous Version 3.1 of the standard until it sunsets on Aug. 24, 2021. | Tama2u/Shutterstock
A new version of the e-Stewards certification standard has been released, and the organization says it is more streamlined and simpler than previous iterations.
SERI will accept public comments on their updated draft via an online form. | TypoArt BS/Shutterstock
Sustainable Electronics Recycling International has released a revised draft of the new R2 standard for comment. Meanwhile, the organization will provide a grant for the use of GPS tracking devices.
A draft update to the e-Stewards standard has been released and is open for public comment. | SFIO CRACHO/Shutterstock
Recently, e-Stewards offered details on updates to certification criteria and outlined audit results. It also announced the first companies to join a workforce training program.
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Low unemployment rates are making it hard for recycling companies to find and keep reliable employees for entry-level jobs. | tadamichi/Shutterstock
This story has been updated.
An initiative launched by e-Stewards will give 10 certified processors the training and support they need to successfully employ a workforce of developmentally disabled adults.
The e-Stewards certification standard update, titled V4.0, is slated for a Feb. 25 release. | Tashatuvango/Shutterstock
The e-Stewards e-scrap certification body is gearing up to release an update, and it’s providing certain perks to draw in operators that have not been certified to the standard previously.
