Key facts: GRS (Global Recycled Standard) is administered by Textile Exchange and requires third-party certification of recycled content, chain of custody, social compliance and chemical restrictions. Minimum 20% recycled content is required to use the GRS label. Major fashion brands now mandate GRS for all recycled-content materials. Certification typically takes 8–16 weeks.
What Is the Global Recycled Standard (GRS)?
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is a voluntary international standard for the certification of recycled content in products and the manufacturing processes that produce them. Administered by Textile Exchange, GRS version 4.0 (current) sets requirements across four dimensions: recycled content verification, chain of custody (CoC), social responsibility, and environmental practices and chemical restrictions.
GRS applies to any product containing at least 20% certified recycled input material — regardless of the material type (plastic, textile, metal, paper, rubber, glass). It is most widely used in textiles and apparel for materials like rPET (recycled polyester from bottles), recycled nylon, recycled cotton and recycled wool.
GRS Scope: Which Materials and Products?
| Material | Common Recycled Sources | Typical GRS Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled polyester (rPET) | PET bottles, textile waste | GRS 100 or GRS % stated |
| Recycled nylon (Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6) | Fishing nets, carpet waste, fabric offcuts | GRS 100 |
| Recycled cotton | Garment cutting waste, post-consumer garments | GRS 20–100% |
| Recycled wool | Post-consumer garments, pre-consumer yarn waste | GRS 20–100% |
| Recycled down/feather | Post-consumer duvets and jackets | RDS + GRS combined |
| Recycled rubber | End-of-life tyres, footwear soles | GRS % stated |
| Recycled plastics (non-PET) | HDPE, PP, PS waste streams | GRS % stated |
Pre-Consumer vs Post-Consumer Recycled Content
GRS recognises two types of recycled input material, and buyers increasingly specify which they require:
Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR)
Material that has been used by an end consumer and then diverted from waste — plastic bottles, worn garments, used carpets, end-of-life fishing nets. PCR content is generally more valued because it directly addresses end-of-life waste. Brands like Patagonia and Adidas prioritise PCR over pre-consumer waste.
Pre-Consumer Recycled (Pre-C)
Manufacturing waste that has never reached a consumer — yarn waste, fabric offcuts, defective production run waste. Pre-C is still legitimate recycled content under GRS and contributes to the certified percentage, but cannot be described as "post-consumer" in marketing claims.
⚠️ Common GRS Claim Error
Stating "made from recycled materials" without specifying whether it is pre- or post-consumer violates both GRS labelling rules and, from 2026, the EU Green Claims Directive. GRS certificates state the recycled percentage and type — your marketing must match the certificate exactly.
GRS Chain of Custody Requirements
The chain of custody (CoC) is the most operationally demanding part of GRS certification. Every facility in the supply chain that takes ownership of the certified material — from the recycler through to the finished product manufacturer — must hold a valid GRS certificate.
GRS specifies two transaction certificate (TC) models:
- Site certification: Each facility audited and certified independently. Required for all facilities that physically process or blend the certified material.
- Scope certificate: Issued to each certified facility, listing the products they are certified to produce with GRS claims.
- Transaction certificate: Issued for each individual sale of certified goods, confirming the GRS-certified content percentage for that specific shipment.
GRS Certification Process: Step by Step
- Choose an approved certification body: GRS-accredited CBs include Control Union, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, TÜV Rheinland and others listed on the Textile Exchange website.
- Submit application and documentation: Material sourcing records, production records, existing sustainability certificates (ISO 14001, OEKO-TEX, etc.).
- Gap assessment / pre-audit: Optional but strongly recommended. Identifies nonconformities before the formal audit — typically 1–3 weeks.
- Initial certification audit: On-site or remote (remote permitted for scope extension under GRS 4.0). Covers all four standard sections.
- Corrective actions: Any nonconformities must be resolved within 30–90 days depending on severity.
- Certificate issuance: Scope certificate issued, valid for 1 year. Listed on Textile Exchange's public database.
- Annual surveillance audit: Required to maintain certification. Triggers the renewal of your scope certificate.
- Transaction certificates: Issue a TC for each certified sale — buyer cannot make GRS claims without a valid TC from you.
GRS Social and Environmental Requirements
Beyond recycled content verification, GRS requires compliance with social and environmental criteria. These are often where factories fail their first GRS audit:
| Requirement Area | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Social compliance | No forced labour, no child labour, freedom of association, non-discrimination, safe working conditions, fair wages |
| Environmental management | Environmental policy, legal compliance, waste management procedures, energy and water monitoring |
| Chemical restrictions | ZDHC MRSL alignment — prohibited substances list applies to wet processing facilities |
| Record-keeping | Input/output records for recycled material flows, mass balance documentation |
GRS vs RCS (Recycled Claim Standard): When to Use Which
Textile Exchange administers both GRS and RCS. The key difference is scope:
- GRS verifies recycled content AND includes social + environmental requirements. Required when the brand makes social/environmental claims beyond just recycled content.
- RCS verifies recycled content only — no social or environmental requirements. Suitable when the buyer only needs to verify the recycled percentage without the additional ESG requirements.
Major fashion brands typically require GRS (not RCS) because it provides a more comprehensive credential. Buyers sourcing for EU market entry should note that the EU Green Claims Directive requires substantiation of environmental claims — GRS provides more robust substantiation than RCS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need GRS Certification Support?
We guide manufacturers through GRS gap assessments, corrective action plans and auditor pre-qualification — typically achieving first-time certification pass rates. We support facilities across textiles, packaging and plastics supply chains.
View Supplier Certification Service →