WRAP to Study Proposed Standard for Re-Used Products

The UK-based, non-profit company Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), announced it has launched a two-month consultation process for a proposed Re-Use Standard 2013, aimed at offering customers quality remanufactured products and aiding in the development of the Re-Use sector of the aftermarket.

According to WRAP, it commissioned the environmental consultancy, Oakdene Hollins, to prepare the Re-Use Standard 2013 and manage the consultation process. The Standard is also being drafted in association with a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) comprised of UK stakeholders from across the Re-Use sector. WRAP said the Standard will be supported by the processing organizations for specific product groups. Those organizations will supplement the product-specific requirement standards with additional detailed criteria.

In addition to seeking technical and editorial comments on the Standard itself, the consultation will also seek views on the extent of the need for product-specific requirements and on branding, compliance and associated issues, WRAP claimed. The feedback is encouraged from all customers and operators in the supply chain, as well as procurers of Re-Used products and components.

“An important constraint on the growth of this sector is weak consumer confidence in the quality of products offered for re-sale. This is partly due to the shortage of publicly available standards for preparing such items.  The Re-Use Standard will address this gap, and we now welcome comments that will help shape the Standard.” said Dr David Moon, Head of Resource Efficiency in Products and Services at WRAP.