The R2 Standard has been tremendously successful in improving the way electronics are recycled.  The introduction of SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International) as the new home for the R2 Standard will not affect the standard, and should be a seamless transition for the close to 600 R2 certified facilities now operating in 17 countries.  As for staff, all R2 Solutions staff members have transitioned to SERI and will continue working in their respective roles.

What does this mean for R2 certified companies?  Increasing recognition of R2 Certification as the global benchmark for safe and sustainable electronics recycling - which will ultimately strengthen the position of R2 certified companies in the marketplace. 

The decision to make SERI the new home of the R2 Standard was the logical next step for the R2 Solutions board as they considered the most effective ways to expand access to safe and sustainable recycling solutions for people in underserved regions of the world.  By operating as a 501c3 organization, SERI provides a more effective launching pad for initiatives that enlist the help of other industry leaders, policy makers and organizations.

"Since the creation of the R2 Standard in 2008, we have consistently heard from companies and organizations that have wanted to support our efforts," said John Lingelbach, Executive Director of SERI (and formerly R2 Solutions). "Working in tandem with other leaders who share our vision will significantly accelerate our progress in developing responsible e-scrap reuse and recycling policies, programs and facilities around the world." 

The SERI board is well suited to this mission and includes members who have served in leadership roles with the Basel Convention, emerging markets, electronics collection, economics and other critical areas necessary to advance the cause of safe and sustainable recycling around the world.    

Decision to step down

Oladele Osibanjo is stepping down from the Board of SERI.  A question has been raised as to whether his sitting on SERI's Board could result in a conflict of interest given his important work as Co-Chair of the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE).  Out of an abundance of caution, leaving the Board is the best course of action.

"I share SERI's goal of promoting safe and sustainable reuse and recycling around the world," states Oladele Osibanjo, "But given this unfortunate turn of events, it is sensible for me to step down from the SERI Board."

New labeling requirements for reusable equipment were introduced in R2:2013 to strengthen the standard and offer safeguards for buyers of refurbished electronics.  Provision 6 requires that all items for resale must clearly be labelled with one of three designations:

1. Tested for Full functions,  R2/Ready for Reuse
2. Tested for Key Functions,  R2/Ready for Resale
3. Evaluated and Non-Functioning, R2/Ready for Repair

Appropriate labeling must be included on at least one document tied to each sale such as the Bill of Sale, Sales Order, Product Description, Invoice, or other accompanying documentation.  Regardless of the assigned category for reuse, all reusable products must be covered by a quality assurance plan and be wiped of all data.  Using a laptop as an example, the descriptions below illustrate the differences between the three labels. 

Tested for Full Functions, R2/Ready for Reuse   Products with this label are sold to end users and are equivalent to new products, ready to be used out of the box with minimal setup.  All the functions of the laptop, including battery life, sound, video, drives, memory, processor, keyboard, etc., have been tested and found working.  The laptop has also been evaluated for cosmetic defects to ensure that deep scratches, broken latches, missing pieces, etc. are not present.  Finally, the laptop is loaded with a legally licensed operating system and updated hardware drivers. \

Tested for Key Functions, R2/Ready for Resale   Many times buyers do not want the software loaded so that they can customize equipment for their customers.  Or perhaps the equipment was tested with a common hard drive that was removed before sale.  Equipment that has passed hardware tests for key functions, but that has missing components, hardware issues of secondary functions, or repairable cosmetic damages would be considered R2/Ready for Resale.  These defects must be clearly disclosed to the buyer in writing.  Products in this category could conceivably be tested as a whole unit, harvested for parts, and sold as individual parts instead of the whole unit.

Evaluated and Non-Functioning, R2/Ready for Repair provides maximum opportunity for reuse by routing equipment that is economically feasible to repair, to those refurbishers with the tools and qualifications to fix it.  The equipment must be evaluated prior to sale to ensure that the resale value will exceed the cost of repairs, and that the equipment is capable of being repaired.  R2/Ready for Repair equipment may only be sold to refurbishers or resellers that are qualified to test the equipment, and recycle the Focus Materials according to Provision 6(c)(3)(B).  Without meeting both requirements, this equipment must be recycled.