The electronics recycling industry is witnessing a major sea change in the way its operating through the roll-out of the R2 vendor certification program and the BAN e-Stewards© certification program. Both will change the U.S. electronics recycling landscape forever by setting a new performance bar for this industry.  The first e-recyclers (WM Recycle America eCycling Services, L.L.C., MN, TechTurn, TX) have been certified to R2, and many more are currently going through the certification process for either standard. You can prepare to achieve these certifications in 2010 by establishing a successful environmental, health & safety management strategy for your facility and company now.

What is R2?

Developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a multi-stakeholder process with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Electronics Recyclers and other stakeholders, the Responsible Recycling (R2) standard focuses on EHS, security and downstream due diligence, and applies to electronics recycling and asset recovery companies (incl. resellers and brokers). The US EPA published the  R2 Final Guidelines Document (“Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs”) in November 2008. For more guidance on the specific requirements, an R2 Checklist was developed and published in October 2008.

To date, ANAB has accredited registrars (aka Certifying Bodies) SGS and Perry Johnson to conduct R2 registration audits and issue R2 certifications.

What is BAN e-Stewards©?

The Basel Action Network (BAN) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization of the United States based in Seattle, WA. BAN’s mission is “to prevent the globalization of the toxic chemical crisis”. BAN works to investigate countries’ and companies’ compliance with the Basel Convention Treaty and publicizes violations.

Many know BAN from its investigative reporting of illegal shipments and irresponsible e-waste processing practices in developing countries, e.g. the recent PBS Frontline report on e-waste dumping in Ghana and other countries.

In line with their organization’s mission, BAN e-Stewards© emerges as the more rigorous standard focusing mainly on environmental, health & safety risks and downstream accountability. It applies to electronics recycling and asset recovery companies but excludes resellers and brokers. BAN published a standard comparison based on EHS controls here.

A detailed excerpt of the e-Stewards standard without ISO 14001 elements is available here (published 7/27/2009). The comprehensive guidance document can be downloaded here. Find useful Tools for e-Stewards here.

Which certification is the right one for you?

Is it worth it?

Depends on whether you want to be on the leading edge of electronics recycling, attract and/or keep OEM and Fortune 500 business, and successfully communicate to the broader public about your environmental, health & safety standards.

Industry experts expect that many OEMs and federal government entities will require their vendor base to become R2 certified, while school districts, local government, Fortune 500 companies and private consumers will likely be looking for the e-Stewards certificate when choosing a recycler. For some e-recyclers it may make sense to pursue both certifications.

Prepare NOW

If you need an independent and experienced consultant who knows both e-recycling standards well, and can help you prepare your management systems, processes, downstream network, and documentation for either certification, call or email smartEE consulting today and check out the services and support we can offer to your company.