Imagine a garment labeled as "eco-friendly recycled" — how much of its content actually comes from recycled materials? Does its production meet environmental standards? Is its supply chain transparent and traceable? While consumer demand for green products grows exponentially, how can we ensure these demands aren't exploited by misleading claims? The textile industry faces an unprecedented green transformation, with RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) and GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification systems emerging as key drivers of this revolution.
Developed by Textile Exchange, RCS and GRS represent two crucial recycled material certification standards designed to regulate recycled material usage, enhance supply chain transparency, and empower brands and consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. While RCS focuses on verifying recycled content in products, GRS incorporates additional stringent requirements for social responsibility, environmental management, and chemical usage — essentially serving as an upgraded version of RCS with higher sustainability benchmarks.
GRS extends these objectives by:
The RCS/GRS certification system ensures recycled material traceability and sustainability through these critical components:
Despite their pivotal role in advancing textile sustainability, RCS/GRS certifications face upgrade pressures amid growing environmental awareness and technological advancements. Textile Exchange is actively working to unify and elevate these standards to better address climate change and ecological challenges.
In 2021, Textile Exchange initiated a comprehensive standards revision to integrate existing frameworks with climate and nature strategies. The newly approved Materials Matter Standard will officially launch on December 12, 2025.
Textile enterprises should implement these strategies to navigate the RCS/GRS transition:
Suppliers may offer RCS/GRS certified recycled materials, while brands can verify certification status through Textile Exchange's official directory.
Are Textile Exchange standards globally recognized?
Yes, all standards maintain global applicability with proper label usage.
What distinguishes GRS from RCS?
GRS imposes stricter requirements including higher minimum recycled content (50% for consumer-facing labels versus 20% for B2B applications) and additional processing standards.
Does GRS certification automatically include RCS?
No, though certified organizations may easily add RCS through their certification body without additional audits.
The textile industry's future unquestionably lies in sustainable, eco-conscious practices. RCS/GRS certifications serve as vital instruments in this transformation, enabling businesses to meet escalating environmental expectations while maintaining market competitiveness through verifiable green credentials.
ব্যক্তি যোগাযোগ: Ms. Chen
টেল: +86-13510209426