R2 STANDARD 5-YEAR REVIEW: THE ROAD AHEAD

In 2025, the R2v3 Standard entered its 5th year of publication. As an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer, SERI is required to conduct a formal review of R2 at least once every 5 years to evaluate what changes, if any, are needed to keep R2 at the forefront of electronics sustainability. 

This deliberate, collaborative standards development process follows a structured methodology governed by ANSI to promote an open, transparent, and balanced approach. Diverse stakeholders providing wide-ranging perspectives are essential to this review and play a big part in why R2 is the most widely adopted electronics reuse and recycling standard globally.  

The R2 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is the group of stakeholders that represents the interests of entities covered by the standard, customers relying on vendors to be R2 Certified, and other interested parties like regulators, auditors, consultants, experts, etc.  This volunteer group is responsible for determining the requirements of the R2 Standard. While the R2 TAC is limited to 45 participants balanced between the three interest groups, everyone has a voice in the process.  All are welcome to observe an in-person TAC meeting (held at least once every year), offer input, and provide formal comments on published drafts for the TAC to consider.    

This page will keep you informed of key developments and opportunities to participate as we work toward the next evolution of the R2 Standard. 

Resources

R2 Technical Advisory Committee

The R2 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) consists of representatives from key stakeholder groups, including: entities covered by the standard; customers of these entities; and regulatory agencies, public interest groups, and others involved in implementation of the certification program. It serves as the cornerstone for R2’s credibility and integrity.

The TAC’s make-up and due process procedures conform to OMB Circular A-119 and ANSI’s Essential Requirements. In other words, the TAC is a voluntary consensus body and R2v3 is a voluntary consensus standard.

To submit an application, please click the button below:

R2 Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Summaries

Want to know what’s happening with R2 Standard development? In addition to attending in-person TAC meetings as an observer, you can download and read the TAC meeting summaries below.

Timeline & Milestones 

*Disclaimer: Timeline is an estimate. All dates subject to change. 

March 2025

  • March 19 – R2 TAC monthly meeting 
  • Project Initiation Notification System submitted to ANSI to revise an existing American National Standard, officially beginning the 5-year review process 
  • Solicitation for new R2 TAC and Consensus Body members

Summer 2025

  • Standard Development process begins 

September 2025

  • In-person R2 TAC meeting at the eSummit  

2026

  • Standard Development process continues 

Early-Mid 2027

  • Release draft version of the R2 Standard for public comment 
  • Revisions based on public comment 
  • Standard Development process continues 

Mid-Late 2027

  • Release next draft version of the R2 Standard for 2nd round of public comment 
  • Revisions based on public comment 

Late 2027/Early 2028

  • Publish next version of the R2 Standard 

2028 ➡ ️

  • Transition period for R2 facilities to be certified to the next version of the R2 Standard 

Frequently Asked Questions

As an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer Organization, SERI is required to conduct a formal review of the R2 Standard within 5 years. This mandatory review ensures the standard remains relevant by evaluating necessary changes based on industry developments since the last version and anticipating future trends.

The TAC has identified a few key areas for exploration during this review, including the following: 

  • Global Harmonization: Expanding the standard to better align globally. Extended Producer Responsibility programs and laws around the world often contain "Electronic and Electrical Equipment."  R2 may expand the scope to include specific electrical equipment to better align with what most facilities see worldwide based on laws or programs. 
  • Evolution of Electronics: Examining how IoT technology introduces data security considerations into more devices. Besides batteries being in a wider range of products nowadays, many everyday items are also 'connected' or part of IoT. These devices may connect to an app on a person's phone or directly to the internet and can send and receive data, potentially putting private, personal, or financial information at risk. How do we handle this broader range of products and how can data be eradicated properly when there aren't traditional sanitization software solutions for all these devices?  The R2 TAC will be wrestling with this question. 

When the new version is published, there will be a transition period to allow ample time for facilities to become certified to the latest version of the R2 Standard. 

The deliberate and thoughtful process ensures that all stakeholders have an opportunity to contribute, that requirements are thoroughly vetted, and that the standard continues to represent best practices. This comprehensive approach helps ensure any changes are practical, implementable, and genuinely beneficial for the industry. 

There are several ways: 

  • Participate in public comment periods 
  • Attend In-person R2 TAC meetings

While every 5-year review is comprehensive, we don't anticipate the structural changes to be as extensive as the transition from R2:2013 to R2v3. The focus will be on refinement rather than fundamental restructuring. 

For any additional questions, please contact mike@sustainableelectronics.org