ISO 22450:2020

Overview - ISO 22450:2020 (REE recycling information)

ISO 22450:2020 specifies the information manufacturers and producers must provide to recyclers about rare earth elements (REEs) present in industrial waste and end-of-life (EOL) products. The standard establishes a common classification system (WRExxxx) and standardized forms to communicate composition, form and recycling-relevant details that enable efficient recovery of REEs from magnets, LEDs, NiMH batteries, catalysts and other REE-containing wastes.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions: Clear terminology for REE waste products, REE magnets, phosphors, NiMH batteries, processing waste, scrap and EOL products.
• Forms of REEs in waste: Describes typical physical and chemical forms encountered in recycling streams (e.g., flakes, chips, oxides, phosphors, electrode pieces, slurries).
• Classification and coding (WRExxxx): A four-digit coding system where the first two digits identify product type (e.g., WRE01xx for REE magnets, WRE02xx for LED phosphors) and the second two digits denote elemental or key characteristics. Codes reserve “99” for “other” categories to allow expansion.
• Recycling information requirements: Specifies the data elements manufacturers should supply to recyclers (composition indicators, manufacturing method, expected contamination, form of material) and references forms for information exchange (Annex A).
• Context and rationale: Includes industry-level waste-stock estimates and highlights the gap between REE waste generated and amounts recycled, underscoring the need for standardized information exchange to improve recycling yield.

Practical applications - who uses ISO 22450

• Manufacturers / OEMs (motors, EVs, consumer electronics, LEDs, batteries, catalysts) - to document REE content and facilitate end-of-life recovery.
• Recyclers and waste processors - to identify feedstock, choose appropriate separation and metallurgical routes, and improve recovery rates.
• Design and materials engineers - to design products with recyclability in mind and supply required disclosure data.
• Regulators, waste managers and sustainability teams - to harmonize reporting, support circular economy goals and manage REE resource security.
• Supply-chain and compliance officers - for traceability and communication between producers and recyclers.

Related standards

• ISO/TS 22451 - measurement methods for REEs in industrial waste and EOL products.
• ISO 22453 - database management for information exchanged among producers, recyclers and authorities.

ISO 22450:2020 supports improved REE recovery by standardizing the classification, data fields and forms needed to move information smoothly from producers to recyclers - a practical tool for increasing recycling efficiency, reducing supply risk and advancing circular economy practices for critical rare earth elements.