R2 / RIOS

The Recycling Industry Operating Standard™ (RIOS™) is an integrated Quality, Environmental, Health and Safety Management System Certification that is designed for recycler, by recyclers. With RIOS™, recyclers are able to obtain certification without having to fit their system into a program designed for manufacturers.  By integrating the management system, recyclers are able to more effectively manage their system, which results in stronger health and safety programs, greater environmental responsibility, and better operational efficiency.

Recyclers of all commodities are able and encouraged to adopt RIOS™ at their facility. Whether recycling paper, plastic, metals, textiles, electronics or tires, RIOS™ has a place in the facility. Furthermore, RIOS™ can be adopted in any country in the world. RIOS™ is truly the global standard for recycling.

SERI is the housing body and ANSI-accredited Standards Development Organization for the R2 Standard.  While development and oversight of the R2 certification program is SERI’s primary activity, SERI is engaged in other activities which will help accomplish its mission.  SERI’s board of directors and staff worked diligently over the course of 2017 to develop SERI’s “2018 Strategic Plan.” It is a five-year plan that stresses three key themes: (1) maximizing conformance within the R2 certification program; (2) increasing responsible electronics refurbishing and recycling through other strategies, in both developed and developing countries; and (3) measuring and communicating to stakeholders the impacts of SERI’s work.