R2v3 Standard
R2v3 Recycling Standard
A plain-language summary of the Core Requirements, the Process Requirement appendices and the Appendix G deadline.
How R2v3 is organized
R2v3 splits the standard in two. The Core Requirements apply to every certified facility. The Process Requirements (Appendices A–G) apply only if you do that work, but anything R2-related you do at the facility must be in scope: you can't leave a process out of the audit. The processes you're certified for are printed on your certificate, so customers can see your capabilities.
Core Requirements at a glance
- Scope: your certificate must cover every R2-related activity at the facility, with clear in-scope and out-of-scope definitions.
- Responsible management hierarchy: reuse comes first; focus materials can't go to disposal.
- EH&S management system: one place for EH&S requirements, with more weight on risk assessment, inspections and monitoring. It must be certified; we recommend ISO 14001 with ISO 45001.
- Legal and other requirements: compliance monitoring broken into separate requirements, plus bans on child and forced labour and a non-discrimination policy.
- Tracking throughput: records for all equipment in, under control and out, and limits on stored R2 controlled streams.
- Sorting and categorization: equipment is categorized with SERI's R2 Equipment Categorization (REC); internal grades are allowed if mapped to the REC.
- Data security: securing the facility, data-bearing equipment on receipt and in transit, and approved, timely sanitization methods.
- Focus materials: a management plan and downstream flowchart to final disposition or to the first R2 facility.
- Facility: defined processing and storage areas, risk and injury insurance evaluation, a closure plan and financial assurance.
- Transport: safe packing, accurate labels and shipping papers, and legal import/export.
Process Requirements (appendices)
| Appendix | Applies if you… | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| A – Downstream recycling chain | send R2 controlled streams downstream | Track the chain to final disposition or register it with SERI and stop at the first R2 facility; confirm receipt of focus materials; stronger checks on non-R2 vendors |
| B – Data sanitization | sanitize data | Logical and tracked physical sanitization, verification and quality checks |
| C – Test and repair | test or repair for reuse | Certified quality management system (ISO 9001 recommended); R2 Reuse Plan by equipment type; recorded test results; product safety review; 1-year processing limit; technician competence |
| D – Specialty electronics | serve specialty markets (e.g. medical, telecom) | Verifications where full testing isn't possible; the 1% rule for specialty reuse sales still applies |
| E – Materials recovery | dismantle, separate or otherwise process for materials | Pollution liability insurance; added EH&S hazard controls; lets refiners, smelters and battery recyclers certify |
| F – Brokering | broker, with or without a facility | Certified quality management system (ISO 9001 recommended); Appendix A; packaging requirements to sellers before shipment |
| G – PV modules | receive, process, broker or control solar modules | Added to R2v3 in January 2024; must be in scope by 31 January 2027 |
Appendix G: what to do before 31 January 2027
If your facility controls PV modules in any way (receiving, storing, transporting, testing, repairing, reusing, recycling or brokering them), Appendix G must be in your R2 scope by 31 January 2027. That takes an on-site scope extension audit by your certification body, and the audit and any corrective actions must be finished before the deadline. A follow-up audit doesn't extend it. Talk to us about Appendix G.
What's next for R2
SERI's five-year review is under way, and SERI estimates the next version in late 2027 or early 2028, followed by a transition period. Treat those dates as SERI estimates.
Get R2v3 certified
See our R2v3 consulting services, read the R2v3 FAQ, or call 1-855-702-9001.
Last updated: 25 October 2026. Paradygm Consulting's paraphrase, not the text of the R2 Standard. Source: SERI, sustainableelectronics.org.