What is the R2 certification? It is a common question these days. Given the fact that communities are becoming more environment-conscious, responsible recycling is a top priority. The R2 stands for responsible recycling of electronic waste. This standard will help companies with data security and environmental stewardship. The R2 system is an ideal choice to reduce the carbon footprint while recycling electronic devices. To obtain the ISO certification, certain analyses and evaluations are necessary. One of them is an internal audit analysis. It is this evaluation used to check progress after modification or implementation.
Once an R2 system is installed, your management team will hire audit specialists. They will conduct two stages of internal audit to confirm compliance. This analysis helps to address areas that need further corrections as well. This way a system will be given an opportunity to eliminate any flaws and prepare for final inspection.
The following article will discuss the various pivotal aspects of an internal audit for the R2 accreditation.
A detailed guide to performing an internal audit to the R2 certification
- Certification requirements
The first step to acknowledge is understanding the requirements. They are as follows:
- Implementation of the environmental health and safety system
- Reuse and recovery of electronic equipment
- A secure data destruction procedure
- Applicable regulations and government conditions
- Detailed records of the management process
- Detailed records of the processed materials
- Pre-audit assessments
Before conducting an internal audit, the following evaluations take place -
- Gap analysis - Comparing the current practices with the requirements of the R2. Gap assessment helps to find the root causes. It allows modifying the system for compliance.
- Reviews of the documentation - The management must review the safety policies, training records, and compliance documentation.
- Training of the workers - Each employee must be aware of the purpose and process of R2. The authorities must conduct training to ensure every worker learns about the audit.
- Performing the audit
- An internal audit starts with a meeting. It discusses the scope and objectives.
- The management schedules the rest of the process in this meeting.
- Then, the audit specialists review the documents.
- They verify the policies, records, reports, and process.
- A quick compliance check is done too.
- The management organize a facility tour for the site inspection.
- The professionals evaluate the existing R2 practices.
- They interview each stakeholder department.
- Findings and analysis
- Once the interview is complete, identification of the non-conformities starts.
- The auditors list the major and minor non-conformities.
- They differentiate between them and conduct root-cause analysis.
- They prepare for the documentation.
- Corrective actions and follow-up
- According to the findings, the management now developed corrective actions.
- They address the non-conformities and aware the responsible departments.
- The authority devises plan and enforces them under leadership and guidance.
- Follow-up assessments are done to verify the effectiveness of the corrective measures.
- The management uses the audit findings to make continuous improvements to the environmental management system.
To conduct the R2 certification audit process, hire only certified experts. Audit specialists must have experience of more than 5 years. They must possess both technical and soft skills as well.
Author's Bio:
The author works as an ISO consultant. He conducts audit programs for his patrons. In his spare time, he writes articles and blogs. He prefers to generate awareness about ISO standards among internet users.
