Mobile Industry Leaders Create Certification Mark for Renewed Devices

NEW ORLEANS, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Device Renewal Forum (DRF) today announced during the International CTIA Wireless® 2012 conference a new Certification Mark to identify renewed devices that comply with its stringent standards and acceptance criteria.

The DRF was created to expand the use of renewed devices by building awareness and establishing a technology-agnostic "gold standard" for refurbishing, testing and certifying renewed devices on a global basis. Wireless devices that meet the rigorous refurbishment, inspection and testing requirements established by the DRF to ensure their proper function, performance and appearance will receive a Certificate of Acceptance and may bear the Certification Mark on their packaging. This designation indicates to regulators, operators, distributors, resellers, retailers and consumers that user expectations will be met and the device will not disrupt, degrade or harm wireless network performance (e.g., reduce capacity, preclude roaming, etc.).

For operators, offering certified renewed devices will help further penetrate their markets, build customer loyalty and improve margins. For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), it will protect their brand image. For consumers, it guarantees value and satisfaction. For the environment, it reduces toxic waste and preserves national resources.

"Our goal is to facilitate the growth of the wireless devices renewal market," commented Perry LaForge, chairman of DRF. "By offering a well-recognized certification mark and brand, the DRF will make it easy for consumers and operators to identify quality and protect their monetary investment whenever selecting renewed devices."

Mike Cost, senior vice president of Brightstar, "We applaud the DRF for spearheading this important initiative that will further drive stringent global standards for device renewal. We fully support DRF in its efforts, and know that it will create an important differentiator for renewed devices that will in turn be a critical benefit for consumers."

"This certification mark is a critical step towards building a vibrant market for renewed devices," said David Edmondson, CEO of eRecyclingCorps . "Much like a certified pre-owned sticker in the used car industry, this branding will instill confidence in consumers while driving new revenue streams for operators and extending the lifecycle of mobile devices."

"As a returns management, repair and value recovery partner to the mobile communications industry, ModusLink understands first-hand the value this certification mark will bring to the renewed device market," said Scott Crawley, president, Integrated Services for ModusLink Global Solutions. "We are proud to be working alongside the other DRF members on this important initiative."

The certification mark will be made available only to those DRF members whose refurbishment, inspection and testing processes meet the quality standards established by the DRF Technical Specification subcommittee. The subcommittee is currently working on test criteria and process standards for certification.

The Device Renewal Forum was formed and formally announced in February 2012 by Sprint, Brightstar, eRecyclingCorps, ModusLink Global Solutions and the CDG to facilitate the renewal of wireless devices around the world.

The DRF is open to companies and organizations worldwide that want to make a positive and significant impact on the environment and the future of the wireless industry. 

For more information about the Device Renewal Forum (DRF), call +1 (714) 708-1355, email [email protected], or visit www.devicerenewalforum.org.

About DRF

Device Renewal Forum (DRF) is a trade association formed to expand the growth of the renewed wireless devices market by establishing a global and technology-agnostic "gold standard" for renewing, testing and certifying refurbished wireless devices. The DRF's goal is to ensure that only high-quality and properly functioning devices reenter the marketplace. By using industry best practices to renew, test and certify refurbished wireless devices, the demand for affordable phones can be fulfilled, while preserving consumer expectations, wireless network integrity and the environment. Its member companies include many of the world's leading service providers, distributors, device manufacturers, resellers, recyclers and reverse logistics companies.  For information about the DRF, visit www.DeviceRenewalForum.org.

SOURCE Device Renewal Forum