RIOS FAQs

You’ve worked hard building your company and your business relationships. In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, RIOS implementation and RIOS certification improve your operational discipline, efficiency, and effectiveness; assure customer satisfaction and compliance with EH&S legal and regulatory requirements; and give your company a significant competitive advantage via superior performance. Additionally, companies that ignore or don’t excel in QEH&S issues are more likely to experience inefficiencies, problems, violations, and accidents, all of which can hurt company reputation and bottom line. RIOS provides your company with an integrated approach to these issues and can help you to improve your credibility and profitability.

Here are some frequently asked questions about RIOS:

  1. What is RIOS?
  2. Why was RIOS created?
  3. Why RIOS instead of ISO and OHSAS standards?
  4. How is RIOS structured?
  5. How can I get a copy of RIOS?
  6. How can RIOS help scrap recycling companies?
  7. Can any type of recycling operation use RIOS?
  8. What is RIOS membership, and how much does it cost?
  9. How does my company become a RIOS member and what does it get?
  10. What is the RIOS Implementation Guide?
  11. After becoming a RIOS member, how and when do I get RIOS and the Guide for my enrolled facilities?
  12. What is the RIOS Community?
  13. How do I get to the RIOS Community to download a copy of the Guide and other RIOS documents?
  14. After becoming a RIOS member, may I display the RIOS Logo to show my RIOS membership?
  15. Does the RIOS Program offer any training on RIOS for staff of RIOS member facilities?
  16. How would my facility get certified to RIOS?
  17. What happens after my facility receives initial RIOS certification?
  18. What is the R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® Program?
  19. As an electronics recycler, how would my facility get certified to R2/RIOS?
  20. What happens after my facility receives initial R2/RIOS certification?
  21. As an electronics recycler, after becoming a RIOS member, may I display the R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® logo to show my commitment to R2/RIOS?
  22. How can I sign up for RIOS membership?

 

Q: What is RIOS?

A: The Recycling Industry Operating Standard® (RIOS) is the scrap recycling industry's integrated management system standard for quality, environment, and health & safety (QEH&S).  RIOS includes the key operational and continual improvement elements also found in ISO 9001 (Q), ISO 14001 (E), and OHSAS 18001 (H&S) without the redundancies and technical language.  Designed for the recycling industry, RIOS provides the framework for a comprehensive, integrated management system to drive continual improvement in QEH&S performance and to achieve superior operational efficiency.

Q: Why was RIOS created?

A: Prior to RIOS, scrap recyclers only had generic management system standards to use for QEH&S management.  Using several standards that were not designed for the industry was difficult.  ISRI saw the need for and benefit of designing an integrated QEH&S management system standard for the scrap recycling industry with additional implementation guidance.  Based on those goals, ISRI and about 50 RIOS Charter Members funded the development of RIOS and the accompanying RIOS Implementation Guide.  ISRI Services Corporation (ISC) was established to develop and administer the RIOS Program.

Q: Why RIOS instead of ISO and OHSAS standards?

A:  As an integrated QEH&S management system standard developed by the scrap recycling industry for the scrap recycling industry, RIOS is specifically relevant to scrap recycling operations whereas the ISO and OHSAS standards are not.

  • RIOS includes the key, industry-relevant QEH&S elements also found in ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), and OHSAS 18001 (health & safety) without the overlap among them.  RIOS rolls these key QEH&S elements into a scrap-specific format, so you can avoid the hassle and expense of implementing them individually.  RIOS is functionally equivalent to all three standards.
  • RIOS is written in plain English rather than bureaucratic jargon, so it's easy to understand.
  • RIOS has an accompanying RIOS Implementation Guide, available via RIOS membership, to help RIOS members to develop and implement their RIOS management systems.  Implementing RIOS with the Guide will cost much less than implementing the three generic standards on your own.
  • RIOS is amenable to independent third-party certification by certification bodies (CBs; aka registrars) accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB).  RIOS certification is more streamlined and less expensive than certification to several standards covering QEH&S.

Q: How is RIOS structured?

A: RIOS, the standard itself, is built around the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" model for continual improvement.  RIOS outlines the basic elements of the integrated QEH&S management system in six short sections: (1) general requirements, (2) policy, (3) planning, (4) implementation, (5) checking and corrective action, and (6) management review.

Q: How can I get a copy of RIOS?

A:  You can obtain a copy of RIOS by either becoming a RIOS member (you get more than just RIOS; see below) or purchasing RIOS on a stand-alone basis using this form.  The latter does not provide the purchaser with any benefits of RIOS membership

Q: How can RIOS help scrap recycling companies?

A: RIOS will benefit scrap operations where it counts—the bottom line.  While the specific benefits of RIOS implementation will vary from company to company, in general RIOS will help you to:

  • Monitor and improve product quality, increasing customer satisfaction and confidence;
  • Keep on top of environmental compliance, decreasing environmental risks and costs;
  • Improve health & safety practices, reducing health & safety risks and costs;
  • Ensure continual improvement in your operations, boosting efficiency and profitability;
  • Empower your employees to work towards common goals, increasing productivity; and
  • Improve relations with your neighbors, legislators, and regulators.

Q: Can any type of recycling operation use RIOS?

A: Yes. RIOS is intended for scrap recyclers of all sizes and of all scrap materials.  It is as appropriate for small firms as it is for large ones and equally applicable to metal processors, paper packers, electronics recyclers, and so on.  It is important to note that RIOS does not even mention specific scrap materials or commodities.

Q: What is RIOS membership, and how much does it cost?

A: RIOS members are scrap recycling companies that enroll their facility(ies) in the RIOS Program.  RIOS member companies pay an initial materials fee per enrolled facility as well as an annual maintenance fee per enrolled facility.  RIOS membership fees are deeply discounted for ISRI members.  Recycling companies that cannot be ISRI members (i.e., nonprofit or governmental entities) may become RIOS members.  RIOS membership fees fall into three schedules:

  • ISRI Members:  ISRI members pay an initial materials fee of $2,000 for the first enrolled facility plus $1,500 for each additional enrolled facility up to a cap of $20,000.  They also pay an annual maintenance fee of $975 per enrolled facility up to a cap of $20,000.
  • ISRI-Ineligible:  Recycling companies that are ineligible for ISRI membership (i.e., nonprofit or governmental entities) pay an initial materials fee of $3,000 for the first enrolled facility plus $2,250 for each additional enrolled facility up to a cap of $30,000.  They also pay an annual maintenance fee of $1,000 per enrolled facility up to a cap of $21,000.
  • ISRI-Eligible: Recycling companies that are not, but are otherwise eligible to be, ISRI Members pay an initial materials fee of $6,000 for the first enrolled facility plus $4,500 for each additional enrolled facility up to a cap of $60,000.  They also pay an annual maintenance fee of $2,925 per enrolled facility up to a cap of $60,000.

Q: How does my company become a RIOS member and what does it get?

A:  Prospective RIOS members submit a completed RIOS membership application form with payment and enter into a license agreement with ISRI Services Corporation.  RIOS membership grants a license to use one copy of RIOS and one copy of the Guide at each enrolled facility.  In addition, RIOS member companies receive updates to RIOS, the RIOS Implementation Guide, and other RIOS documents; basic RIOS assistance; eligibility for RIOS training (i.e., RIOS Train the Trainer Workshops); and eligibility for RIOS certification.

At the same time, RIOS membership is not limited to receiving RIOS products and services.  RIOS members (i.e., their leaders, managers, and staff) have the opportunity to become involved in the future direction of RIOS by automatic appointment to the RIOS Committee and eligibility to serve on the Board of Directors of ISRI Services Corporation (i.e., RIOS Board), in accordance with the ISC Bylaws.  The RIOS Committee serves to provide input to the RIOS Board on the RIOS Program—RIOS, the Guide, RIOS certification, and RIOS administration, including members-only programs and services.  The RIOS Board, composed largely of RIOS members, serves to provide direction to the RIOS Program through its decision-making authority.

Q: What is the RIOS Implementation Guide?

A: The RIOS Implementation Guide (the Guide) is a user-friendly document that goes through the process of setting up a RIOS management system and provides detail on each of the RIOS requirements.  The Guide is intended to help RIOS members to design and implement a RIOS management system that fits the particular circumstances of their own operations.  The Guide includes tools, templates, steps, and tips for creating RIOS management systems and also R2/RIOS management systems that incorporate the requirements of The Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers.

Q: After becoming a RIOS member, how and when do I get RIOS and the Guide for my enrolled facilities?

A: RIOS and the Guide are provided electronically to enrolled RIOS member facilities after payment of applicable RIOS membership fees and finalization of the RIOS Member License Agreement.  RIOS is provided in electronic format by e-mail.  The Guide is posted for download at the RIOS Community (see next).

Q: What is the RIOS Community?

A: The RIOS Community is a secure area at ISRI’s website where RIOS members may download RIOS documents, share information, and ask questions.   The RIOS Community is viewable and accessible only by staff of RIOS member company facilities.  Such staff must be specifically invited to the RIOS Community to be able to view it.  Invitees must be logged on with their own log-on credentials to enter the RIOS Community.

Q: How do I get to the RIOS Community to download a copy of the Guide and other RIOS documents?

A: Here are the steps to enter the RIOS Community and to download documents:

    • If you are logged on automatically, you will see on the far right of the yellow stripe the words "Log off".  If so, go to Step 3.  If you see "Log on", please click it and log on using your logon and password.  (You can click a box there to allow your computer to remember your log on credentials.  If you need help with your log on credentials, please contact ISRI's Director of Membership.)
    • Point to the “Communications” menu in the middle of the menu bar and click on “Communities” (#2) on the dropdown list.
    • On the Communities page, you should see a list of communities including the “RIOS Community”.  (If not, then the log on credentials that you used do not match those used to invite you.  Please contact ISC.)
    • Click on the “RIOS Community".
    • At the RIOS Community, you will see towards the bottom the "Resource Library". If you point at one of the files, a description box appears.  If you click on a file, a "Download" button appears on the Resource Library menu bar.  Click the Download button to download the file. (You may need to allow pop-ups to get the download dialog box to appear.  If so, then after allowing pop-ups, click again on the file to activate the Download button and click on the Download button.)
    • Save the file to your computer via the “File download” dialog box.

Q: After becoming a RIOS member, may I display the RIOS Logo to show my RIOS membership?

A: No.  The RIOS Logo may not be displayed by RIOS members unless the RIOS member has achieved RIOS certification at one (or more) of its enrolled RIOS facilities.  In that case only, each RIOS-certified facility may display the RIOS Logo consistent with the current version of the RIOS Logo Usage Rules. 

Q: Does the RIOS Program offer any training on RIOS for staff of RIOS member facilities?

A: Yes.  As a benefit of RIOS membership, employees of RIOS member facilities are eligible to attend the members-only RIOS Train-the-Trainer Workshops.  This training takes attendees through the fundamentals of management systems and RIOS, as well as the Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) for electronics recyclers, and use of the RIOS Implementation Guide to design and implement RIOS, as well as R2/RIOS, management systems.

Q: How would my facility get certified to RIOS?

A:  Certification to RIOS involves a RIOS initial certification audit conducted by an ANAB-accredited RIOS Certification Body (CB; aka Registrar).  After initial certification, RIOS certification is maintained over three-year cycles of two surveillance audits (Years 1 and 2) and a recertification audit (Year 3).  Please note that while the quality, environmental, and health & safety components of RIOS can be implemented separately, RIOS certification must fully include all three components.

Here are the basic steps to achieve initial RIOS certification [approximate time in months]:

  • Become a RIOS member company (RIOS certification requires RIOS membership).[0]
  • Design and implement a RIOS management system (MS) to carry out the requirements of RIOS.  (Optional: Attend RIOS Train the Trainer Workshops) [3–12]
  • Operate the RIOS MS through at least one Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle to accumulate sufficient records of the required activities to enable an audit team to find enough evidence of your conformance to RIOS. [3–6]
  • Contact an ANAB-accredited RIOS Certification Body (CB, aka Registrar) about an initial certification audit—usually a few months before your expected readiness for an initial certification audit to provide enough scheduling flexibility (CBs are very busy doing audits!).  (Note: an initial certification audit = Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits.) [This step is typically concurrent with Step 3.]
  • Undergo Stage 1 audit. (Note: This time includes any preliminary discussions with the CB about readiness for the Stage 1 audit and also corrections of any deficiencies identified by the CB after the Stage 1 audit.  Schedule availability may also be a factor.) [1–2]
  • Undergo Stage 2 audit (Note: This time includes corrections of any deficiencies (i.e., minor nonconformances) identified by the CB after the Stage 2 audit and the CB’s internal process granting certification. Schedule availability may also be a factor.) [1–2]
  • Receive RIOS initial certification. [0]

Q: What happens after my facility receives initial RIOS certification?

A: As the name implies, initial RIOS certification is just the beginning of RIOS Certification.  Once your facility is RIOS-certified, your facility would receive authorization from ISRI Services Corporation to use the RIOS Logo in accordance with the current version of the RIOS Logo Usage Rules.  Also, your facility would begin its first three-year RIOS certification cycle consisting of annual surveillance audits near the end of the first and second years and a recertification audit at the end of the third year.  Surveillance and recertification audits are about 3/8 and 3/4, respectively, of an initial certification audit (Stages 1 and 2).

Q: What is the R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® Program?

A: With the 2008 release of The Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers, ISRI created the R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® Program as the blueprint for recycling electronics responsibly.  ISRI recognized the positive synergy between R2 and RIOS and combined them into a powerful management system framework for electronics recyclers.  Only electronics recycling facilities certified to R2/RIOS can be Certified Electronics Recycler®.

Q: As an electronics recycler, how would my facility get certified to R2/RIOS?

A: Here are the basic steps to achieve initial R2/RIOS certification [approximate time in months]:

  • Become a RIOS member company (R2/RIOS certification requires RIOS membership) and obtain a copy of R2 (currently free).[0]
  • Design and implement an R2/RIOS management system (MS) to carry out the requirements of R2 and RIOS.  (Optional: Attend RIOS Train the Trainer Workshops) [3–12]
  • Operate the R2/RIOS MS through at least one Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle to accumulate sufficient records of the required activities to enable an audit team to find enough evidence of your conformance to R2 and RIOS. [3–6]
  • Contact an ANAB-accredited R2/RIOS Certification Body (CB, aka Registrar) about an initial certification audit—usually a few months before your expected readiness for an initial certification audit to provide enough scheduling flexibility (CBs are very busy doing audits!).  (Note: an initial certification audit = Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits.) [This step is typically concurrent with Step 3.]
  • Undergo Stage 1 audit. (Note: This time includes any preliminary discussions with the CB about readiness for the Stage 1 audit and also corrections of any deficiencies identified by the CB after the Stage 1 audit.  Schedule availability may also be a factor.) [1–2]
  • Undergo Stage 2 audit (Note: This time includes corrections of any deficiencies (i.e., minor nonconformances) identified by the CB after the Stage 2 audit and the CB’s internal process granting certification. Schedule availability may also be a factor.) [1–2]
  • Receive R2/RIOS initial certification. [0]

Q: What happens after my facility receives initial R2/RIOS certification?

A: As the name implies, initial R2/RIOS certification is just the beginning of R2/RIOS Certification.  Once your facility is R2/RIOS-certified, your facility would receive authorization from ISRI Services Corporation to use the R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® Logo in accordance with the current version of the R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® Logo Usage Rules.  Also, your facility would begin its first three-year R2/RIOS certification cycle consisting of annual surveillance audits near the end of the first and second years and a recertification audit at the end of the third year.  Surveillance and recertification audits are about 3/8 and 3/4, respectively, of an initial certification audit (Stages 1 and 2).

Q: As an electronics recycler, after becoming a RIOS member, may I display the R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® logo to show my commitment to R2/RIOS?

A: No.  The R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® logo may not be displayed by RIOS members recycling electronics unless the RIOS member has achieved R2/RIOS certification at one (or more) of its enrolled RIOS facilities.  In that case only, each R2/RIOS-certified facility may display the RIOS Logo consistent with the current version of the R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® Logo Usage Rules. 

Q: How can I sign up for RIOS membership?

A: To sign up for RIOS membership, please complete and submit this RIOS membership application form.  You may also request a form by e-mail.