Consistent with Criterion 4.6.1.1 of the IEEE 1680.1-2009 standard, EPEAT’s product takeback and recycling criteria require provision of recycling services that conform to the U.S. EPA Plug-In to eCycling Guidelines for Materials Management. See the U.S. EPA’s Plug-In to eCycling Guidelines for Materials Management: Sample Audit Checklist.

To simplify selection of recycling services, the EPEAT recycler Standards Qualification Panel (SQP) from time to time reviews recycling standards, certifications and systems and determines whether they are ‘functionally equivalent’ to the Plug In Guidelines.

To date, the SQPhas found the following to be functionally equivalent to the Plug-In to eCycling Guidelines:

Commercial Recycler Standards:

e-Stewards (see e-Stewards website for list of certified recyclers globally)

R2 (see R2 website for list of certified recyclers globally)

EPSC and ERRP (companies must be certified to both systems to be functionally equivalent – Canada)

ECOLOGIC (France)

SWICO Recycling  (Switzerland)

SENS (Switzerland)

Stiftung Licht Recycling Schweiz  (Switzerland)

EfbV – Entsorgungsfachbetriebeverordnung (Germany)

This list is updated periodically.