
The author calls for the creation of a new certification program. | Africa Studio/Shutterstock

The author calls for the creation of a new certification program. | Africa Studio/Shutterstock

The Washington, D.C. council passed a bill that will require OEMs in the extended producer responsibility program to do business with only e-Stewards-certified processors. | DCStockPhotography/Shutterstock
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.

(Clockwise from top left) Kim Fox of Lenovo, Sean De Vries of Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), Don Hennen of RLG, and Beth Johnson of Dell.
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.

ERI’s Plainfield, Ind. facility is one of several that was found to be in compliance with e-Stewards requirements when it was targeted with GPS trackers to check downstream e-scrap outlets.
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.

Backers of a global e-scrap recycling standard effort say it can help ensure high-quality end-of-life treatment processes. | science photo / Shutterstock
The International Electrotechnical Commission in recent months launched a process to create a worldwide e-scrap management standard.

Adding solar panels to the R2 standard could take two or more years. | Perthsnap / Shutterstock
A committee at Sustainable Electronics Recycling International gave the green light to move forward with adding solar panels to the R2 certification standard.

SERI and RIOS are working to build more online programs for education on EHS management systems. | S_L/Shutterstock
Companies with R2-certified facilities will be able to access discounted RIOS environmental health and safety management resources through a new partnership.

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.
