Global Recycled Standard

The Global Recycling Standard (GRS) is a voluntary product standard that tracks and verifies the amount of recycled material in the final product. The standard applies to the entire supply chain of GRS production and trade, including processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, marketing and use of all products containing at least 20% recycled materials. And all standard products must show the percentage of recycled components, recycled material content of more than 50%, can be affixed with GRS label.

Basic overview of GRS certification

Validity period of certificate

Valid for one year and subject to annual review

GRS certification application conditions and labels

Global recycling standards as long as any product recycled components ≥20% can apply for GRS certification, such as: recycled polyester, recycled cotton, recycled down, recycled spandex, recycled PET, polyester slice, recycled EVA and so on can apply, in addition to renewable components ≥50% can apply for labels to certification bodies.

The goal of GRS

• Definition alignment across multiple applications;

• Track and trace recovered input materials;

• Provide customers (brands and consumers) with the tools to make informed decisions;

• Reduce the harmful effects of production on people and the environment;

• Ensure that materials in the final product are actually recycled and sustainably processed;

• Drive innovation to address the quality of using recycled materials.

GRS are intended for use in any product that contains at least 20% recycled material. Certification is required at every stage of production, starting at the recycling stage and ending with the last seller in the final business-to-business transaction. Self-declaration, document collection and on-site visits shall be carried out in materials collection and places where materials are concentrated.

GRS certification audit content

• Recycled components: more than 20% of the recycled components of the product is the entry condition for certification; If the GRS label is to be displayed on the product, the proportion of recycled ingredients should be greater than 50%

• Social responsibility: whether the working environment of employees is safe, whether they wear appropriate protective clothing, the health condition of employees, and whether there is no child labor and whether the weekly and monthly working hours are in accordance with the regulations, etc

• Chemicals management: Guidelines and policies for the management of chemicals used in the production of GRS products

• Environmental management: whether the company has an environmental management system and controls energy use, water, waste water, waste gas, etc

Benefits of GRS certification

Global recognition

Enterprises can attract the attention of more international famous brand buyers, after global recognition, it is easier to enter the international market, fully participate in the market competition of recycled textiles and clothing;

Enhance brand image

Obtain GRS certification, enterprises have the opportunity to be included in the procurement list of world famous enterprises, with the international famous buyers to achieve long-term cooperation, enhance their brand image;

Enhance product transparency

GRS identification with standard recycled material composition and content, improve the transparency of products, meet the consumer's right to know, easy for consumers to choose;

Enhance competitiveness

To enhance the market competitiveness of "green" and "environmental protection" of enterprises, recycled textile clothing is increasingly favored in developed countries in Europe and the United States, and has become the "new favorite" of many brand clothing.

GRS project service process