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R2 JUST MAKES SENSE

Across the globe, a multitude of companies are engaged in the continuous development of new products and their efficient distribution to suppliers. While this process offers convenience to both businesses and consumers, it raises concerns about its environmental impact. In response to this, organizations have embarked on a mission to foster electronic recycling initiatives. One such endeavor is the R2 certification, an official standard designed specifically for electronic recyclers and resellers. The core objective of the R2 recycling program is to champion the conservation of valuable resources, safeguard the environment, and ensure the well-being of communities. This encompasses the responsible management of electronic devices, with a focus on minimizing harmful emissions and waste generation throughout the recycling process.

Why Choose R2 Certification Just Makes Sense For Any Business?

Acquiring R2 certification brings a host of advantages. Here are the key reasons why becoming a responsible electronics recycler is a wise move:

1. Exploring New Business Horizons

If you’re contemplating entry into the wholesale electronics industry but are unsure of where to begin, becoming an R2 recycler is a strategic choice. By doing so, you ensure the secure recycling of your electronics, preparing them for reuse by another owner.

Additionally, many R2-certified products command higher market prices. Some retailers and customers demand this certification before making a purchase. For wholesalers, it opens doors to global electronics markets and fosters business expansion, making R2 certification a valuable asset.

2. Safeguarding Private Data through R2 Recycling

Individuals, corporations, small businesses, schools, and various entities frequently need to dispose of outdated or malfunctioning computers and devices. However, these devices often contain sensitive data that must be protected during disposal.

3. Environmental Stewardship

Electronic devices are marvels of technology, but their production often involves materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can be highly toxic if released into the environment. Disposing of electronics in landfills may seem like a straightforward solution, but it exacerbates the problem.

Why discard a smartphone when a simple battery replacement can extend its life? R2 certification ensures a reduction in your company’s environmental footprint and keeps valuable electronics out of landfills.

4. Access to Government Recycling Programs

Becoming R2 certified offers the advantage of participating in various government recycling programs. Government entities, like businesses, need to replace their outdated electronics. Rather than repairing these devices, they may choose to donate, sell, or give them away.

5. Involvement in Smartphone Carrier Auctions

Electronics wholesalers can tap into a valuable resource by participating in smartphone carrier auctions, a sometimes overlooked avenue for success. These auctions feature used phones and trade-in models, often at substantial savings for businesses seeking to resell them.

For smartphone carriers to confidently recycle their phones, they limit purchases to R2-certified businesses. This requirement ensures that private data remains secure and minimizes the risk of data breaches, which can lead to legal complications and extensive recovery efforts.

Without R2 certification, access to smartphone carrier auctions is typically off the table, potentially hindering your ability to secure wholesale electronics at competitive prices.

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Frequently Asked Question

ISO certification follows the same process, regardless of the ISO standard you are seeking:

  1. Establish, implement and verify your ISO management system
  2. Stage 1 audit – Documentation Review
  3. Stage 2 audit – Full system audit
  4. Closure of any findings
  5. Certification!

The standards that best suit your company vary by the industry you are in. In order to identify the standards that will provide your company with the greatest benefits, we recommend the following:

  1. Talk to your customers – many of them may require certain ISO standards.
  2. Evaluate your companies risks – see where your companies great liabilities are what needs to be controlled (e.g. quality, environmental aspects, health & safety hazards, IT security, etc.).
  3. Be proactive and identify new business opportunities – evaluate new areas / industries you want to grow your business. Often times, these new industries may require some sort of certification in order to enter. Certification takes time, so being proactive and having the certifications before bidding on projects can put you ahead of your competition.

The time to become ISO certified really depends on a few different factors:

  1. The resources you have available to support the ISO process
  2. Your own internal timeframe that you need / want to be certified by
  3. The standard’s requirement for how much evidence you need to support certification

Certification requires you to show through objective evidence that you have an effective ISO management system in place. In order to do this, you need to show that you have sufficient evidence available to support this claim. At a minimum, most standards will require 3 months of evidence of implementing your management system in order to be certified.

Some standards, such as IATF 16949, may require a minimum of one year of evidence to support certification.

The cost for certification can vary greatly from one company to another. There are typically several factors that go into the costs for certification:

  1. Certification body fees
  2. Certification body audit day rates
  3. Auditor travel costs
  4. Standard license fees (e.g. R2, RIOS, eStewards license fees)
  5. Consulting Fees

Audit time and consulting time is typically based on the following factors:

  1. Number of employees
  2. Number of processes and the risks associated with those processes
  3. Number of locations

We have the experience to help you navigate the certification body costs and possible discounts they can offer.

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ISO certification shows your customers that you follow industry best practices and that your business is well structured and ready for growth.

Each ISO standard has its own benefits, for example:

  • ISO 9001 – Ensures you provide your customers with a quality product or service
  • ISO 27001 – Protects your information, data and reputation
  • ISO 14001 – Reduces your environmental impact
  • ISO 45001 – Protects your workers
  • Responsible Recycling (R2) – ensures responsible management of used electronics

Common benefits across all ISO standard include:

  • Increased efficiency
  • Reduced costs
  • Improved customer satisfaction
  • More engaged employees
  • Reduced risks
  • Reduced insurance premiums
  • Helps with project bidding

By achieving and maintaining an ISO certification, you are showing your company’s commitment to achieving your objectives, improving your business and increasing the credibility and customer confidence in your product or service.

Yes. We have been providing remote auditing and consulting services for years. We have found remote auditing and consulting to be just as effective as on-site. We use a variety of tools to ensure we are thorough in our remote services, while saving you time and money.

The great thing about working with Glacier consulting is that you don’t need anything in place to get started. We will work with you ever step of the way to ensure you have everything you need to get certified.

Most companies have far more in place than they realize. Just because it may not be documented, doesn’t mean you don’t have processes in place. We will work with your team to improve, streamline and formalize these processes.

One of the most common questions we get is how much time and effort does it take to get and maintain certification. The bulk of the effort should be at the beginning to get your management system established and implemented. To do this, we take what you already do and formalize it to meet the standard requirements. There may be some minor tweaking done, but this typically only improves and streamlines your process.

Once your ISO management system is in place, maintaining it should be as easy as breathing because it should become part of your culture and everyday operations. At the end of the day, you shouldn’t think of it as your ISO system, you should think of it as simply your way of operating your company.

We work with countless ISO standards. We’ve only listed the most common ISO standards typically sought after. We have a diverse team with tremendous knowledge in many of the ISO standards. Contact us and let us know what standard you are interested in. If we don’t offer that service, we can find you someone who can.

We can tailor a service specific to your needs to help you along your ISO journey. We can provide basic guidance to full “White Glove” support. If it’s business or ISO related, we’ve got you covered. A few of our services include:

  1. General ISO Consulting
  2. Documentation Prep
  3. Training
  4. Auditing
  5. Maintenance

Contact us with any questions you have or for services not listed here.