AGParts Worldwide holds ISO 9001, 4001, 45001, and SERI R2 certifications. These prestigious certifications are internationally recognized standards, applying to organizations that have demonstrated quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety management, and responsible recycling systems. Today, we’ll take a closer look at ISO, the certificates, and their meanings.
What is ISO?
ISO, which stands for the International Organization for Standards, develops and publishes international standards. A standard is internationally recognized as the most effective way of doing something. That something ranges from manufacturing a product, managing a process, delivering a service, or supplying materials. Standards are created and curated by thought leaders in various industries.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is the international quality standard, setting criteria for a quality management system. It is designed for organizations actively seeking to improve the quality of their products and services, while consistently meeting customer expectations. The standard is based on various customer quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach, and continuous improvement. ISO 9001 ensures customers get consistent, high-quality products and services.
What is ISO 14001?
The ISO 14001 family of standards deals solely with environmental performance, with all standards culminating in the efforts to protect the environment and fight climate change.
This standard is a tool that supports advancement in environmental efficiencies and helps manage environmental requirements. It is frequently used by organizations in continuous improvement initiatives. While holders of the certificate satisfy legal requirements, benefits of the standard extend deeper into the roots of organizations. The standard drives and organizes employee engagement in meeting environmental commitments. Achieving the certificate also separates organizations—achieving the certificate requires complying to a set of specific guidelines. The standard’s importance is evident by that fact that more than 300,000 organizations globally have adopted and achieved this certificate.
What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is first international standard for occupational safety. It is the minimum standard for occupational safety within an organization, laying the foundation for organizations to effectively manage their occupational safety program.
The standard seeks to improve employee safety, and reduce and mitigate workplace risks, in an effort to create a safe and healthy work environment. The standard promotes open communication between management and workers to collaboratively create a robust safety culture. It also helps organizations effectively plan, manage, and review their safety performance. Like the ISO 14001 standard, it is also the catalyst for organization’s continuous improvement efforts.
This standard also helps to satisfy legal requirements, but its benefit is far greater than that. Organizations holding this certificate acknowledge and pledge that the health and safety of their employees is key—there is nothing more important that ensuring the safety of their employees by creating the safest working environment possible, both in mindset and physically.
What is R2?
The R2 standard is the electronics recycling industry’s leading certification for responsible recycling practices. R2 is governed by Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI). SERI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing safe and sustainable reuse and recycling of used electronics through consensus-driven standards. Their core focus is to administer and continually improve the R2 standard.
R2 the framework for environmental, employee health and safety in the electronics refurbishing and recycling industry. This certificate is especially crucial as there is very little regulation in the electronics recycling industry within the United States currently. When an organization claims to adhere to all state and federal laws regarding information technology asset disposition (ITAD), it, unfortunately, carries little weight. These laws do not address the actual recycling process. Resultantly, there is no way for the consumer to ensure the device has been handled properly.
The R2 certificate clarifies this uncertainty. Organizations that hold the R2 certificate comply with voluntary industry standards set forth by independent auditors. This ensures that a stringent set of guidelines have been followed during the recycling and refurbishing process, including best practices for the device and the employee’s safety.
What Does This Mean for Your School or Organization?
When you partner with AGParts Worldwide, you can rest assured that all electronic products are reused and recycled in a way that promotes resource preservation, quality, the well-being of the natural environment, and the health and safety of our workers and communities.
Our ISO and R2 certifications offer many advantages and benefits, such as:
- Protecting our employees, customers, and the planet
- Upholding rigorous quality standards
- Protecting data and security
- Reduces third-party liability risks
- Compliant with all international import/export laws
- Preserves resources and embraces sustainability
- Fostering new innovation and technology
AGParts Worldwide provides OEM new and reclaimed laptop and Chromebook parts across all industries. Contact us today for more information!