R2 FACILITY NEWSLETTER I FEBRUARY 2023

FEATURE STORY:

TALKING ABOUT SUSTAINABLE RETURNS

Having presented and exhibited at the Reverse Logistics Association's annual conference in Las Vegas in February, we thought it would be a good time to share how SERI has been talking to the reverse logistics community about how R2v3 is built for Sustainable Returns.

One of the big questions after the pandemic was, “how much would stick as the ‘new normal’ and what would go back to the way things were?” Well, it seems clear that online shopping – and the mess that is returns – is here to stay. When it comes to electronics, the key is ensuring retailers are making their returns Sustainable Returns. Sustainable Returns address some of the unique challenges that electronics present.

Whether the return is due to a defect, or simply buyer’s remorse, there’s a good likelihood that there will be some data on those products that need to be logically sanitized. And to ensure that the next buyer has a good product and brand experience, electronics require more than just a visual inspection to ensure they are in good working order.

Every potential partner for electronics returns will say they’ll do it right – that they’ll make sure all the data is gone and that devices will be in good shape and ready to go back into inventory. But how can a retailer differentiate those who say they do it right from those that actually do?

R2 Certification is how they can know, specifically choosing facilities certified to R2v3's Process Requirements in Appendix B – Data Sanitization and Appendix C – Test and Repair. That's how retailers can be confident that data really is erased, even on those devices that don’t have great software solutions yet. It’s how they can be confident that devices have gone through more than just a visual inspection – that they are actually powered up, tested, and any necessary repairs are made. All of which is what makes returns sustainable.

Retailers can hope that their partners are going to do the right things. But checking our directory of R2 Certified Facilities and filtering for Returns/Warranty/Trade-ins (Appendix B – Data Sanitization and Appendix C – Test and Repair) is how they can know.

A HELPFUL R2v3 REMINDER

FROM THE R2 DIRECTOR:

R2v3 includes alternatives to pollution liability insurance to cover potential environmental incidents. Guaranteed reserves or government guarantees are also acceptable. This might be especially helpful to some lower risk facilities certifying to Appendix E to lower the cost of required coverage. See Appendix E(8) for specific requirements.

IN-PERSON TAC MEETING

SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 11th-12th IN DENVER

The R2 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will hold an in-person meeting on April 11-12, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. The R2 TAC will review Appendix G - Photovoltaic Modules (also known as Solar Panels) for inclusion in the R2v3 Standard.

Interested parties are invited to observe the meeting and comment during open commentary periods. The R2 TAC is the multi-stakeholder group that develops and updates the R2 Standard. The 45 volunteer members (representing entities covered by the standard, their customers, and regulatory/public interest/other stakeholders) work to bring consensus on the standard development process, and the smaller sub-group of a balanced Consensus Body will vote on issues, like Appendix G. If you are interested in attending the in-person meeting, please let us know here and we will provide more information as it is finalized.

LET US KNOW IF YOU WILL JOIN US

AVAILABLE R2v3 TRAINING CLASSES

NEW TO R2: INTRO TO R2 WEBINAR

If you want to learn more about R2, join us on our Intro to R2 Webinars. They are held 3-4 times per month and are offered to accommodate time zones on all continents.

INTRO TO R2 SIGN UP

R2 AUDITOR TRAINING CLASSES

Looking for in-depth, online, and interactive training on R2v3? These classes are open to auditors, consultants, and facilities. Sign up for the class today!

R2 AUDITOR SIGN UP

ANNOUNCEMENT:

RELEASE OF THE UPDATED R2v3 CODE OF PRACTICES (COP) 2.2

A big part of what creates confidence in R2 among customers is the quality and consistency of the outcomes across all Certified facilities. And a big part of that is the quality and consistency of R2’s auditing process. But how do you create consistency across 5 Certification Bodies (CBs) and 120+ auditors spread across 37 countries worldwide?

The R2 Code of Practices (COP) codifies the rules under which CBs and their auditors operate and helps create this consistency. While facilities are not audited to the R2 COP, CBs are. Just like the Standard itself, the COP is updated over time to reflect what we learn through implementation. SERI is about to release the third version of the COP under R2v3, and this version primarily clarifies language to strengthen consistency.

The COP is free to download in the R2v3 Documents Library, but we are highlighting two elements here that while minimal, may have some effect on facilities.

The first element was driven by feedback from facilities as they’ve gone through the auditing process, to ensure facilities receive their certifications timelier. In short, Requirement 8.9.13 clarifies that SERI will hold CBs accountable to deadlines without exceptions, including the 90-day window to close out Stage 2 nonconformances (NCs). The effect of this is that CBs will feel more pressure to communicate all NCs sooner, giving facilities more time to close out those NCs and receive their certification on time.
The second reflects the overwhelming success of the Remote Transition Audit from Advisory 24 and codifies the process for remote audits into R2v3 so facilities can have one of their two surveillance audits conducted remotely, if they wish, and their CB determines it is appropriate.

We encourage facilities to familiarize themselves with the COP, simply to better understand more about the rules for CBs and auditors, and we will continue to highlight relevant information in LinkedIn and this R2 Facility Newsletter.

NC TREND ANALYSIS:

ADDRESSING COMMON NONCONFORMITIES (NCs)

Nonconformities (NCs) happen; sometimes, a facility may not always understand how or why. But the process of identifying nonconformities and preventing them from reoccurring is what makes a better facility and stronger certification program.

Working with SERI’s Certification Bodies, we have been conducting an ongoing NC Trend Analysis to pinpoint the most common NCs, so we have a clearer picture of how to help facilities avoid making common mistakes.

Armed with this aggregate of NCs, we can address these common issues by providing updated resources in our Knowledge Base to help facilities conform to the requirements.

One such resource is the just released Ask the R2 Guru Podcast #19, Most Common NCs. In this episode, Roger lists the most common NCs and takes a deeper dive into 3 of them.

Look for additional information through LinkedIn and in future newsletters as we continue to monitor trends, provide feedback, and develop supporting resources to help facilities better implement the R2 Standard requirements.

RECENTLY ADDED TO THE R2 KNOWLEDGE BASE:

The R2 Knowledge Base is filled with videos, implementation articles, podcasts, and more helpful resources, all built to support your facility through the R2 certification process.

CHECK OUT ALL TOPICS IN THE R2 KNOWLEDGE BASE

ASK THE R2 GURU PODCAST

We've got 2 new Podcasts for you this month!

First up, you may have seen the new video added to the R2 Knowledge Base about Legal Compliance Audits. In Episode #18 of Ask the R2 Guru, Roger Grieve interviews R2 Director, Mike Easterbrook for some additional insights and tips to consider when conducting your Legal Compliance Audit.

And second, Episode #19 delves into the most common NC's that we've been seeing through the transition so far along with some suggestions on how your facility might better prepare to avoid them.

Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and...

LISTEN TO EPISODE #18

LISTEN TO EPISODE #19

EVENTS:

CHAMPIONING ELECTRONICS SUSTAINABILITY AROUND THE WORLD

SERI's mission is to create a world where electronic products are reused and recycled in a way that results in resource preservation, the well-being of the environment, and the health and safety of workers and communities. To accomplish our mission, we look for opportunities to engage with various stakeholders on electronics sustainability and the value of R2 Certification and working with R2 Certified partners.

Here's we're headed next:

Mark Petruzzi will be part of the panel discussion, "E-waste in the Transition to a Clean Economy," at South by Southwest on March 10th in Austin, Texas.

SERI’s Executive Director, Corey Dehmey, will be attending the REMADE Circular Economy Tech Summit & Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 20th-21st.

R2 Guru Roger Greive is presenting “Transforming your ITAD to Sustainable ITAD” on March 21 at Wisdom North America in St. Petersburg, Florida.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Let us know what questions you have or what resources you would find valuable. The SERI Team is here to help!

The R2 Update newsletter is a publication of SERI, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to create a world where electronic products are reused and recycled in a way that promotes resource preservation; the well-being of the natural environment; and the health and safety of workers and communities.