e-Stewards accepts RIOS as an ISO 14001 alternative

The e-Stewards certification program will now accept the RIOS (Recycling Industry Operating Standard) as an alternative environmental management system (EMS) to the ISO 14001 Standard. RIOS was designed by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Washington, specifically for the recycling industry and more than 150 electronics recyclers worldwide are certified to the standard. 

The change has been reflected in the newly published version 4.1 of the “e-Stewards Standard for Ethical and Responsible Reuse, Recycling and Disposition of Electronic Equipment and Information Technology.” 

"We are very happy to give our e-Stewards certified electronics recyclers and refurbishers greater flexibility by adding RIOS as a management system option," says Prema George, e-Stewards certification director. "For many, it’s a familiar standard and thus provides a welcome mat for companies looking to add e-Stewards certification." 

RIOS will grant e-Stewards certified processors a 50 percent discount off RIOS fees to encourage adoption, according to a news release from e-Stewards.