R2 NEWSLETTER: APRIL 2025

As SERI continues to champion and drive the sustainable use, reuse, and recycling of electronics globally, ensuring that every business and individual has access to responsible reuse and recycling options is critical. Further, as we do our part in building toward a circular economy, working within various rules and regulations, and reducing the carbon footprint of electronics, greater access to local options will lead to better outcomes. Continuing to expand the network of R2 Certified Facilities in every part of the world is how we achieve this goal.  

But we also recognize that R2 Certification is a high bar and takes significant investment to achieve. One way to reduce some of the financial barriers to certification is by ensuring there is a strong infrastructure of local Certification Bodies and network of local auditors to help reduce auditing and travel costs, as well as help remove language and cultural barriers that may exist. 

It is with this in mind that SERI is pleased to announce that URS has become the first accredited R2 Certification Body in India. This milestone brings R2 Certification closer to home for facilities across India and surrounding regions, making certification more accessible and affordable while empowering more organizations to join our global community. 

REMINDER: REC V1.2

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD 

Version 1.2 of the R2 Equipment Categorization (REC) document is now available for download. This updated version was officially published in English on February 15th, 2025, and should replace any previous versions you're currently using. 

Please download the updated REC document and use it where applicable. At this time, the English REC document is the only up-to-date version and is the official document all R2 Certified facilities are held accountable to. Translations are in progress and will be available soon! 

JOIN US AT THE 2025 ITAD & CIRCULAR ELECTRONICS CONFERENCE & EXPO 

SERI is collaborating with Trans-World Events on the first-ever ITAD & Circular Electronics Conference & Expo, June 11-12, 2025, at Messe Frankfurt, Germany. This new event is an exciting evolution of the E-Waste World Conference & Expo, expanding what was historically a single track into its own fourth conference alongside Metals Recycling and Battery Recycling, and reflects our industry's shift beyond traditional electronics recycling toward the full spectrum of electronics sustainability. 

We have been hard at work developing content that will feature discussions on product design for longevity, repair strategies, data security, and more. You'll hear speakers from Lenovo, HP, and the UN discussing topics like bridging the digital divide and extending the life of data center equipment. And the SERI team will be participating in key sessions as well as meeting attendees at our exhibit booth to talk about R2 and our other programs. 

This event provides a great opportunity for the R2 community in and around Europe and we hope to see you there! 

Use the code SER20 when completing your registration for an extra discount! 

eSUMMIT 2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 

Speaking of great opportunities for the R2 community, we’re very excited to announce that registration is officially open for our own eSummit 2025! Join stakeholders from every stage of the electronics lifecycle at the only event that brings all the critical sustainability conversations that need to take place under one roof. The eSummit creates a space where meaningful connections happen, challenges transform into opportunities, and ideas become real-world solutions. 

As we say, it’s all the right people, all in one place.  

Stay tuned for updates on speakers, programming, and agenda details. In the meantime, check out our website to learn more! Our hotel block is expected to fill quickly, and Minneapolis will have high demand that week, so we recommend making arrangements soon. Whether you're attending, speaking, or exhibiting, we can't wait to welcome you to eSummit 2025! 

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR

THE 2025 RETHINK AWARDS 

Nominations are open for the ReThink Awards – SERI’s way of celebrating the organizations creating systems-level impact toward the sustainability of electronics through innovation. 

Do you know an organization that’s driving remarkable sustainability initiatives? This is your chance to shine a spotlight on these changemakers with the recognition they deserve! Click below to learn more about the ReThink Awards and enter your nomination. Winners will be announced at the 2025 eSummit! 

OUR TEAM IS GROWING! 

Help shape the future of electronics sustainability! We're expanding our team with passionate professionals who can turn complex challenges into innovative solutions. If you're energized by meaningful work that protects our planet while driving industry transformation, explore our current openings: 

• Systems Analyst 
• R2 Assurance Director 

R2 TIP: DEVELOPING A FOCUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLAN

Under Core 8(a), the FM Management Plan (FMMP) must explain how your facility and DSVs possess the expertise, capabilities, planned methods and demonstrated capacities to process each type of electronic equipment containing an FM. Core 8(a)(1), specifically, states that the FMMP must cover the demonstrated expertise and capabilities. What does this mean exactly?

We’ll take the example of a facility that refurbishes mobile devices in-house and ships end-of-life mobile devices downstream for materials recovery. This facility’s FMMP should describe both the human technicians and technological capabilities at play with the handling, testing, data destruction, refurbishment, parts harvesting (if applicable), repair (if applicable), and any other steps occurring at the facility. It’s important to understand that the FMMP doesn’t just cover the FMs themselves but must also address equipment containing FMs. Additionally, the FMMP must include the same detailed descriptions for all DSVs controlling the FM-containing equipment and FMs themselves, stopping at the first R2 DSV or final disposition. For the first-tier DSV, the FMMP might describe dismantling, shredding/separation, and any other materials recovery steps occurring at that facility.

Assuming that DSV sends circuit boards to a smelter and batteries for metal recovery, the FMMP would need to then detail expertise and capabilities of that smelter to recover metals from the circuit boards, and a battery recycler's capabilities to recover metals like nickel, cobalt, and lithium from the batteries.  

RECENTLY ADDED TO R2 KNOWLEDGE BASE

AVAILABLE R2 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 multiple times per month and are offered to accommodate time zones on all continents.

Select a day and time the works best for you before, during, or after your normal workday.  

Find your region to see upcoming dates and register!

También disponible en español

R2 AUDITOR TRAINING

While primarily created for Certification Body (CB) auditors and Accreditation Body (AB) assessors, SERI also offers a version tailored for facilities and consultants.

Learn more about Auditor Training and see upcoming courses

Each month, we let you know where we’re going and what conversations we’re having for two reasons. First, we simply hope you’ll catch up with us if you’re in the same places. Second, we want to show how we're actively promoting electronics sustainability for a global circular economy, often highlighting R2's role in this important work. By engaging decision-makers across various forums, we're helping drive better choices throughout the electronics lifecycle.  

Where we're headed next:

• ITAD & Circular Electronics Conference, Frankfurt, Germany, June 11-12 – SERI has partnered with the all-new ITAD & Circular Electronics Conference. Topics in this conference will focus on enabling longer use of electronics to create a circular economy, including design, repair, ITAD & remarketing, and the rest of the electronics value chain.
• eSummit 2025, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 8-11 – Join industry leaders, innovators, and forward-thinkers in Minneapolis this September for collaboration across the entire electronics lifecycle. Last year brought together manufacturers, recyclers, refurbishers, regulators, policymakers, and more to drive meaningful progress toward a circular economy. This year promises even more opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, and actionable solutions. Registration is now open, and exhibitor opportunities are available!

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