Recycling Industry Operating Standards® (RIOS)

The Recycling Industry Operating Standard® (RIOS) is the recycling industry’s standard for quality,

Join RIOS today?

To get the benefits of RIOS or R2/RIOS for your company, join the RIOS program.  Download the RIOS membership aplication form. 
environmental, and health & safety (QEH&S) management systems.  RIOS provides a powerful framework for scrap recyclers of all sizes and scrap materials, including electronic scrap, to improve their QEH&S performance and their bottom line.  RIOS certification is available from independent third-party certification bodies (CBs) accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

RIOS Members

The RIOS Program offers members a number of benefits.

CBs & Auditors

RIOS provides the framework for a comprehensive, integrated management system to drive continual improvement in QEH&S performance and to achieve superior operational efficiency.

Consumer, Gov't & OEMs

RIOS provides a powerful management system framework for recyclers to use to drive continual improvement in their quality, environmental, and health & safety performance.

Why RIOS?

The Recycling Industry Operating Standard® (RIOS) is your roadmap to continual improvement in QEH&S performance and increased profitability.  Learn more with RIOS FAQs.

RIOS Implementation/Certification Chronology Steps

Certification to RIOS or R2/RIOS provides independent verification that your facility meets RIOS or R2/RIOS requirements and helps your organization to stand out in the marketplace.  Here are the basic steps to certification:

  1. Become a RIOS member company (for R2/RIOS, obtain a copy of R2).
  2. Design/implement a RIOS or R2/RIOS management system.
  3. Operate the management system to accumulate sufficient records for an audit.
    Contact an ANAB-accredited RIOS or R2/RIOS Certification Body about initial RIOS certification.
  4. Undergo Stage 1 and Stage 2 RIOS or R2/RIOS certification audits.
  5. Receive RIOS or R2/RIOS initial certification.

Why R2/RIOS for electronic recyclers?

The R2/RIOS Certified Electronics Recycler® Program is all you need to know for recycling electronics responsibly.  Get the facts here.  Download the latest R2/RIOS brochure.

RIOS Resources

With a RIOS management system in place at your facility, you will have the power and tools 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.

To learn more, please see the RIOS Resources.

Contact

David Wagger 
RIOS Program Manager 
davidwagger@isri.org 
202-662-8533