Summary
Details
- Global
Recycling organizations can voluntarily implement RIOS and pursue formal third-party certification.
However, RIOS can become commercially important where:
Customers specify certified recyclers.
R2 requirements require an appropriate quality management system for certain reuse processes.
Procurement requirements favor independently certified facilities.
Deep dive
- What’s Required
- 1. Establish an integrated management system
- 2. Conduct the RIOS Footprint
- 3. Establish operational controls
- 4. Establish communication procedures
- 5. Establish goals and continual improvement
- 6. Monitor and measure performance
- 7. Complete independent certification
- Important Dates
- Current Status
- Certification Outcome
- Examples of Certification Failure / Non-Conformity
- Resources
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What’s Required
1. Establish an integrated management system
RIOS covers three central areas:
Quality
Environment
Health and safety
The system is designed specifically around recycling operations.
2. Conduct the RIOS Footprint
Facilities assess their significant:
Quality risks.
Environmental impacts.
Occupational health risks.
Safety risks.
The analysis informs operational controls and improvement priorities.
3. Establish operational controls
The organization must develop controls appropriate to identified risks and impacts.
Controls can address:
Material handling.
Equipment operation.
Environmental impacts.
Worker exposure.
Quality issues.
Emergency risks.
4. Establish communication procedures
RIOS requires processes for internal and external communication, including communication with customers and other relevant stakeholders.
5. Establish goals and continual improvement
Facilities must set objectives and demonstrate continual improvement.
6. Monitor and measure performance
The management system requires mechanisms for evaluating whether controls are effective.
7. Complete independent certification
Organizations seeking certification must undergo third-party assessment against RIOS requirements.
RIOS distinguishes between simply implementing the management system and going through the formal certification process.
Important Dates
2006: Original RIOS standard released.
2016: RIOS:2016 revision released.
Current: RIOS remains an active recycling industry certification program.
Current Status
Active and certifiable.
RIOS continues to operate as an integrated Quality, Environmental, Health, and Safety management system for recyclers.
Certification Outcome
An independent certification audit determines whether the recycling facility conforms to RIOS requirements.
Certification can therefore be:
Granted.
Maintained.
Subject to corrective action.
Suspended.
Withdrawn.
Examples of Certification Failure / Non-Conformity
Failure to identify significant environmental impacts.
Inadequate health and safety risk assessment.
Lack of operational controls.
Poor quality management.
Missing monitoring and measurement procedures.
Failure to manage corrective actions.
Inadequate documentation.
Poor communication controls.
Failure to demonstrate continual improvement.
Repeated operational non-conformities.
Resources
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