Getting Certified | SERI - Sustainable Electronics Recycling International

About SERISubpages
We're Sustainable Electronics Recycling International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing safe and sustainable reuse and recycling of used electronics through consensus-driven standards.
R2 StandardSubpages
The R2 Standard is the leading certification for electronics repair and reuse. As the housing body for R2, SERI maintains the R2 Standard, related documentation, guidance, and facilitates its ongoing development.
ProgramsSubpages
SERI works with partners throughout the lifecycle of electronic products to ensure that they are managed responsibly. SERI's programs focus on education, outreach, safety, and international development.
- R2 Leaders
Education & TrainingSubpages
SERI offers a variety of educational and training opportunities for recyclers, as well as opportunities for auditors and consultants. These trainings focus on implementing the R2 Standard, realizing a return on the investment in certification, discussing relevant issues or challenges related to recycling practices, and other topics.

License Application

Prior to the Stage 2 audit, companies should complete the R2 license process. (PLEASE DO NOT PAY R2 LICENSE UNTIL AFTER STAGE 1 AUDIT HAS BEEN COMPLETED!)

Complete the online license application that asks some basic information about your facility, and designates a point of contact who SERI will communicate with during the certification process. SERI will review and respond to your license application within 5 business days.
Upon approval of your application, SERI will send a license agreement to the certification contact listed on your application. An electronic signature is required.
Upon receipt of the electronic signature, an automatic invoice with online payment link will be emailed to the certification contact listed on your application.
Upon receipt of payment, a LICENSE ACKOWLEDGEMENT will be emailed to the certification contact. Save this email acknowledgement to show your auditor.

Select from the following:

The license application asks basic questions about your company and facility, as well as designates a point of contact SERI will communicate with for issues relating to your certification.

NOTE: The R2 Standard is specific to a facility (R2:2013 Introduction – Applicability). SERI has received licensing requests for residential addresses and/or individual person’s. In order to maintain clarity and integrity of the R2 Certification consistent with the goodwill of the R2 mark, SERI will not issue a licensing agreement and thereby not allow individuals or organizations at a residential addresses to be R2 Certified. At a minimum, a commercial organization must be established with appropriate business licenses at a commercial address.

Apply

Many companies choose to enlist the help of a consultant to help them prepare for certification. If you decide to hire a consultant, be sure to thorougly screen for experience, qualifications and references. Some suggested questions to ask:

How many facilities have you helped prepare for R2 Certification?
What was the scope, or type of work that those companies engaged in? (Important to know whether a consultant has experience with the type of work your company does.)
Do you have consultants in my area? If not, how do you charge for travel?
Will you be providing a generic management system for me to use, or customizing a system to my business?
Will you be performing all of the consulting work or will someone else be doing all/part of it?
How are you qualified to provide consulting services on R2, EHS Management Systems, and the electronics recycling industry?
Are you qualified to provide a compliance audit? If so, what qualifies you?
Are you qualified to validate data destruction processes? If so, what qualifies you?
What formal training have you completed?
Have you ever been terminated from a contract prior to finishing it?
Please provide three references.

View Consultant Directory

Stage 1 Audit

Facility and Document Review

An auditor from the CB will visit the facility and conduct an inspection of the operational areas related to the R2 Standard. The auditor will review all relevant documentation that demonstrates facility conformity to the standard. The Stage 1 Audit is the first step in the registration process.

Stage 2 Audit

Implementation Audit

The second stage of the registration audit involves the auditor reviewing the implementation of the R2 management system. The auditor will spend considerable time interviewing key personnel of the organization, do a detailed site tour as well as ensuring that all policies and procedures have been successfully implemented onsite. The scope of the organization is also verified at this stage for the purpose of the certificate.

If a recycler passes both audits, and successfully performs any corrective actions, certification will be awarded by the recycler's CB.

Note: Using R2

A R2:2013 Certified recycling facility in good standing with SERI will display the R2 logo on their website, promotional materials, or other official documents.

The R2:2013 mark communicates the following to customers, partners, and the public:

The facility conforms to all provisions of the R2:2013 Standard;
The facility is current on all required audits and oversight required by R2:2013 Certification;
The facility has paid all required fees, signed all required documents, and has taken all other steps necessary to maintain its R2:2013 Certification.

SERI works with accredited certification bodies, relevant regulatory agencies, and other parties to ensure these criteria are met by recycling facilities. SERI has notification, corrective action, and termination policies in place to address non-conformances when they occur.

About SERISubpages
We're Sustainable Electronics Recycling International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing safe and sustainable reuse and recycling of used electronics through consensus-driven standards.
R2 StandardSubpages
The R2 Standard is the leading certification for electronics repair and reuse. As the housing body for R2, SERI maintains the R2 Standard, related documentation, guidance, and facilitates its ongoing development.
ProgramsSubpages
SERI works with partners throughout the lifecycle of electronic products to ensure that they are managed responsibly. SERI's programs focus on education, outreach, safety, and international development.
- R2 Leaders
Education & TrainingSubpages
SERI offers a variety of educational and training opportunities for recyclers, as well as opportunities for auditors and consultants. These trainings focus on implementing the R2 Standard, realizing a return on the investment in certification, discussing relevant issues or challenges related to recycling practices, and other topics.

Getting Started with R2

Choose a Certifying Body

Preparation and Training

Consultants

Stage 1 Audit

Facility and Document Review

Stage 1 Corrective Action

Stage 2 Audit

Implementation Audit

Stage 2 Corrective Action

Certification

Maintaining Your Certification