Recycled Content Certification for Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Certification under Annex A of the SCS Recycled Content Standard

What is the SCS-103 Recycled Content Annex A?

Recycled Content Standard for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) raises the bar for recycled content in consumer electronics products. A comprehensive addition to the SCS-103 Recycled Content Standard, this annex sets a minimum threshold for recycled content in the full product, allowing for a product-level claim. 

How Products Achieve Recycled Content Certification 



This certification is ideal for brands and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) located around the globe, that want a product-level claim to demonstrate the total percentage of recycled content used in electrical and electronic equipment products. Certificate holders can use this certification to sell products through retailers such as Amazon under the Climate Pledge Friendly program. Products that qualify under this standard range from heating and portable A/C appliances to coffee machines, gaming devices, computer and internet equipment, mobile devices and more. 

This certification brings transparency in product claims to the marketplace. Each product subcategory has a set minimum threshold for recycled materials and multiple recycled material inputs are required.

Currently Achievable Metals Recycled Content Levels in the Market

Recycled Content Materials

This will increase consumer confidence and product purchases, while also supporting the manufacturers’ efforts towards improving recycled material use. Certification also helps companies promote continuous improvement of recycled materials, as well as innovation in material recycling processes to minimize waste to landfills.

The certification process involves an audit of legal compliance, supplier verification and validation, material due diligence procedures, minimum recycled content criteria and material inputs. Once certified, companies can make a Recycled Content claim with use of the logo, proving conformance to the SCS-103 Standard with Annex A: Optional Criteria for Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

Why Choose SCS?

SCS works with companies and stakeholders around the world to move the needle for sustainability. The rigor of SCS Standards and expertise of SCS auditors helps protect brands from scrutiny by ensuring credible claims. We are dedicated to supporting clients on their sustainability journey and provide a range of solutions from corporate sustainability to product sustainability and everything in between.

The Recycled Content Standard was first introduced in 1989, a response to the burgeoning interest in recycled content claims and the introduction of innovative new recycling technologies.  More than three decades later, the demand for recycled products and materials continues to grow and SCS has certified thousands of products worldwide.

  • Process
  • Benefits
  • Eligible Products
  • Program Documents

Steps to Achieve Certification

Recycled Content Steps

Achieving certification under this standard builds business value and enables you to:

  • Demonstrate the highest levels of environmental sustainability performance for product manufacturing
  • Promote innovation in material recycling processes to minimize waste to landfills
  • Stimulate increased use of recycled materials in products
  • Facilitate the continuous improvement of the functionality and performance of recycled materials
  • Support transparency in product claims to increase consumer confidence and purchases of products with higher levels of recycled content
Product Sub-Category Product Type Examples of Commonly Used Virgin or Recycled Materials  Minimum Total % Recycled Content in the Product
Audio/Visual and Speakers PC Display/Monitor Steel, Plastics, Copper, Zinc

15%

Portable Audio Products/Smart Speakers Steel, Plastics, Copper, Zinc

30%

Smart Display Steel, Plastics, Copper, Zinc

30%

Speaker (e.g., Audio system, Sound bars) Steel, Plastics, Copper, Zinc

15%

TWS Earbuds Steel, Plastics, Copper, Zinc

30%

Electronic Accessories (Non-Wired/Non-Battery) Case Textile, Plastic, Metals

35%

Casebook Cover Textile, Plastic, Metals

35%

Sleeve Textile, Plastic, Metals

35%

Stand Plastic, Metals

50%

Fixed Computing All-in-One Computing Steel, Copper, Plastics, Aluminum, Zinc

15%

Desktop PC Steel, Copper, Plastics, Aluminum, Zinc

15%

Gaming Gaming Console Plastics

10%

Gaming Controller Plastics

10%

Gaming Device Plastics

10%

Home Security Systems Camera (e.g., indoor/outdoor camera, video doorbell); Accessories (e.g., base station, keypad, motion detector, range extender) Plastics, Metals

10%

Infrastructure Computing Server Steel, Aluminum (optional: Plastics)

20%

Storage Steel, Aluminum (optional: Plastics) 

20%

Mobile Computing Mobile Laptop/Laptop Notebook Steel, Plastics, Aluminum, Magnesium, Carbon Fiber

15%

Mobile Devices E-reader Gold, Rare Earth, Tungsten, Tin, Aluminum, Plastics 

30%

Smartphone Gold, Rare Earth, Tungsten, Tin, Aluminum, Plastics 

30%

Tablets Gold, Rare Earth, Tungsten, Tin, Aluminum, Plastics 

30%

Wearables Gold, Rare Earth, Tungsten, Tin, Aluminum, Plastics 

30%

PC/Laptop Accessories Headset Plastics

30%

Keyboard Plastics

50%

Mouse Plastics

50%

Power Supplies (e.g., chargers, power banks) Plastics

15%

Webcam Plastics

15%

Printers and Scanners Printer (Inkjet/Laser) Plastics, Metals 

25%

Scanner Plastics, Metals 

25%

Small Household Products/Appliances Coffee Machines Plastics, Aluminum, Steel, Copper

15%

Dehumidifiers Plastics, Aluminum, Steel, Copper

10%

Heater Plastics, Aluminum, Steel, Copper

25%

Portable A/C Plastics, Aluminum, Steel, Copper

5%

Small Network Equipment (SNE) Dongle Plastics, Metals

50%

Hub Plastics, Metals

50%

Smart Plug Plastics, Metals

15%

Smart Switch/Breaker Plastics, Metals

15%

Streaming Device (e.g., firestick, roku) Plastics, Metals

50%

Wi-Fi Router Plastics, Metals

15%

 

The recycled content minimum is based on initial data provided. The minimum recycled content standard is intended to set a baseline acceptance for a product type that has regulatory standards impacting its decision on design, performance and/or electrical safety.  Recycled Content inputs are not this product’s type industry norm, so this standard provides a baseline for the product type to continuously improve upon and recognize the needs for responsible material sourcing. To request the addition of a new product sub-category or product type, please visit the SCS Standards website.

File Name Document
Recycled Content Certification for Electrical & Electronic Equipment Brochure Brochure English
SCS-103 Recycled Content Standard V8.0 including Annex A: Supplemental Criteria for Electrical and Electronic Equipment V1.2 English

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Recycled Materials Team