(ANSI: New York) -- The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Society for Quality (ASQ) National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is now offering accreditation for companies certifying recyclers of electronic equipment under the Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers.

R2 is a set of guidelines for use by electronics recyclers to promote better environmental, health and safety, and security practices when recycling end-of-life electronics. The guidelines cover computers, peripherals, cell phones, and televisions sent to recyclers for proper refurbishment and recycling. Once they are certified to R2 by accredited certifying bodies, electronics recyclers will have a way to highlight their environmentally sound operations and provide customers the means to find recyclers using sound practices.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) facilitated development of R2 in an open process. Stakeholders supporting the R2 practices include representatives from federal and state governments, electronics manufacturers, electronics refurbishing and recycling professionals, and trade associations.

“The R2 standards are an important step in the right direction. Now consumers will know that their products are going to safe recyclers,” says Matt Hale, director of EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery.

 …