What are Focus Materials (FMs) in the R2 Standard?

Q: What are Focus Materials (FMs) in the R2 Standard?

A: Focus Materials (FMs) are materials in electronic equipment that warrant greater care during recycling, refurbishing, materials recovery, energy recovery, incineration, and/or disposal due to their toxicity or other potential adverse health and safety impacts on workers, the public, and the environment if not managed properly. The R2 Standard identifies the following as FMs:

1. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
2. Mercury
3. Circuit boards
4. Batteries
5. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glass

Q: How should Focus Materials (FMs) be managed according to the R2 Standard?

A: The R2 Standard requires certified facilities to manage FMs in a manner that is protective of worker health and safety, public health, and the environment. This includes:

1. Developing a Focus Material Management Plan as part of the facility’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Management System (EHSMS)
2. Demonstrating the expertise and capabilities required to process each type of electronic equipment containing FMs
3. Implementing appropriate controls and procedures for the storage, handling, and processing of FMs
4. Properly
5. Tracking FMs through the recycling chain to final disposition or the first downstream R2 certified facility