Certification Program

IAER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM - OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVES

·        Support and promote high standards of environmental quality and regulatory compliance in the electronics recycling industry.

·        Establish and maintain a formal process to certify that an electronics recycling company is using high quality business practices.

·        Provide a service to IAER Member companies to help them improve their management systems and gain recognition as high quality electronics recyclers.

·        Recognize IAER Member companies as a Certified Electronics Recycler® if they are found to meet the IAER certification criteria as a result of a formal, objective certification process.

·        Promote that organizations seeking to dispose of electronics equipment will be able to have confidence in selecting Certified Electronics Recyclers as their service providers of choice.

BASIC PROCESS FOR CERTIFICATION

APPROACH

·        Focus on improving management systems - not evaluating operational or technical processes and performance.

·        Minimize the audit burden to the member company.

·        Recognize certifications and audits already achieved (e.g., ISO 9001 & 14001)

·        Engage an objective entity/resource to manage and conduct the certification process.

GENERAL SCOPE OF CERTIFICATION

·        General Business Factors:

- e.g., management, finances, insurance, business practices, security systems and controls

·        Management Systems:

- Environmental (EMS) - e.g., ISO 14001 or equivalent

- Quality Management System (QMS) - e.g., ISO 9001 or equivalent

- Health & Safety

·        Operational Capabilities:

- Key elements of operation

- Qualifications and Training of Personnel

- Suitability of Equipment and Facilities

CERTIFICATION PROCESS STEPS

1. Questionnaire – checklist of pre-qualifying criteria

·        Submit to company for completion and return

·        Review questionnaire vs. certification criteria and audit process requirements

·        Identify deficiencies, questions, and focus areas for audit

·        Respond to company for clarification, additional information or confirmation

2. Audit Preparation – optional service to member company seeking certification

·        Pre-assessment based on review of questionnaire and on-site interviews

·        Consultation and recommendations to management for improvements

·        Orientation and preparation of management and staff for audit process

3. Audit – on-site review

·        Review and assessment of management processes vs. certification criteria

·        Focused and tailored to company based on review of questionnaire (and audit prep)

·        Advice and counsel on-site as needed

·        Preliminary assessment and recommendations to management – including any deficiencies

4. Follow-up

·        Confirmation of certification – if applicable + issuance of Certificate

·        Identification of deficiencies – if applicable

·        Recommendations for improving deficiencies – if applicable

·        Schedule follow-up audit to close deficiencies – if necessary

5. Maintenance

·        Follow-up audits will be scheduled every two years to maintain the certification.

·        The maintenance audits are designed to be conducted more cost efficiently than the first time audit.

CERTIFICATION SERVICE PROVIDERS

Auditing/Certification – After conducting a formal proposal and evaluation process among a select group of companies that are leaders in the field of environmental, health, safety and quality auditing, the IAER selected Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI) to provide Certification Services for electronics recyclers in the IAER membership. BVQI is a world leader in registration to international quality and environmental standards. Their team of over 1200 auditors is recognized by 17 accreditation bodies and has issued over 27,000 certificates in more than 70 countries.

Preparation/Consulting Support – The IAER is offering its Members an optional service to help them prepare for the certification process and improve their chances for a successful audit (see "Audit Preparation"). This service is provided by the IAER independent of the Auditor. Initially, depending on the demand, this service will be provided personally by John Powers, IAER Consultant. In addition to being intimately involved in the development of the IAER Certification Process, Powers has extensive experience in helping companies prepare for ISO 14000 & 9000, as well as being a recognized expert in the electronics industry.

HOW TO GET STARTED

If your company is a Member of the IAER and wants to be scheduled for certification, contact the IAER now to receive the Certification information package that includes

·        Application for IAER Certification (including costs)

·        IAER Certification Standard

·        IAER Pre-Screening Questionnaire

Contact the IAER by:

Email: Info@iaer.org

or Phone: 888-989-IAER (4237)



Revised 11/15/05

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	IAER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM - OVERVIEW OBJECTIVES · Support and promote high standards of environmental quality and regulatory compliance in the electronics recycling industry. · Establish and maintain a formal process to certify that an electronics recycling company is using high quality business practices. · Provide a service to IAER Member companies to help them improve their management systems and gain recognition as high quality electronics recyclers. · Recognize IAER Member companies as a Certified Electronics Recycler® if they are found to meet the IAER certification criteria as a result of a formal, objective certification process. · Promote that organizations seeking to dispose of electronics equipment will be able to have confidence in selecting Certified Electronics Recyclers as their service providers of choice. BASIC PROCESS FOR CERTIFICATION APPROACH · Focus on improving management systems - not evaluating operational or technical processes and performance. · Minimize the audit burden to the member company. · Recognize certifications and audits already achieved (e.g., ISO 9001 & 14001) · Engage an objective entity/resource to manage and conduct the certification process. GENERAL SCOPE OF CERTIFICATION · General Business Factors: - e.g., management, finances, insurance, business practices, security systems and controls · Management Systems: - Environmental (EMS) - e.g., ISO 14001 or equivalent - Quality Management System (QMS) - e.g., ISO 9001 or equivalent - Health & Safety · Operational Capabilities: - Key elements of operation - Qualifications and Training of Personnel - Suitability of Equipment and Facilities CERTIFICATION PROCESS STEPS 1. Questionnaire – checklist of pre-qualifying criteria · Submit to company for completion and return · Review questionnaire vs. certification criteria and audit process requirements · Identify deficiencies, questions, and focus areas for audit · Respond to company for clarification, additional information or confirmation 2. Audit Preparation – *optional service* to member company seeking certification · Pre-assessment based on review of questionnaire and on-site interviews · Consultation and recommendations to management for improvements · Orientation and preparation of management and staff for audit process 3. Audit – on-site review · Review and assessment of management processes vs. certification criteria · Focused and tailored to company based on review of questionnaire (and audit prep) · Advice and counsel on-site as needed · Preliminary assessment and recommendations to management – including any deficiencies 4. Follow-up · Confirmation of certification – if applicable + issuance of Certificate · Identification of deficiencies – if applicable · Recommendations for improving deficiencies – if applicable · Schedule follow-up audit to close deficiencies – if necessary 5. Maintenance · Follow-up audits will be scheduled every two years to maintain the certification. · The maintenance audits are designed to be conducted more cost efficiently than the first time audit. CERTIFICATION SERVICE PROVIDERS Auditing/Certification – After conducting a formal proposal and evaluation process among a select group of companies that are leaders in the field of environmental, health, safety and quality auditing, the IAER selected Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI) to provide Certification Services for electronics recyclers in the IAER membership. BVQI is a world leader in registration to international quality and environmental standards. Their team of over 1200 auditors is recognized by 17 accreditation bodies and has issued over 27,000 certificates in more than 70 countries. Preparation/Consulting Support – The IAER is offering its Members an optional service to help them prepare for the certification process and improve their chances for a successful audit (see "Audit Preparation"). This service is provided by the IAER independent of the Auditor. Initially, depending on the demand, this service will be provided personally by John Powers, IAER Consultant. In addition to being intimately involved in the development of the IAER Certification Process, Powers has extensive experience in helping companies prepare for ISO 14000 & 9000, as well as being a recognized expert in the electronics industry. HOW TO GET STARTED If your company is a Member of the IAER and wants to be scheduled for certification, contact the IAER now to receive the Certification information package that includes · Application for IAER Certification (including costs) · IAER Certification Standard · IAER Pre-Screening Questionnaire Contact the IAER by: Email: Info@iaer.org or Phone: 888-989-IAER (4237) Revised 11/15/05

	Return to Home Page