GRS/RCS: Recycled Content and Supply-Chain Claim Review
GRS (Global Recycled Standard) and RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) both support recycled material content and supply-chain traceability claims. RCS focuses on recycled content and chain of custody, while GRS also includes environmental management, chemical, and social-responsibility requirements. Before applying or using related claims, companies should confirm whether material, batch, transaction certificate, and listing wording are consistent.
Evidence Review Points
| Record | Purpose | Common risk |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled material source | Confirm material type, supplier, and source attribute | Pre-consumer, post-consumer, or industrial recycled sources are mixed without separation |
| Transaction certificate | Connect raw material, processing, trade, and finished shipment | Quantity, batch, product description, or date is inconsistent |
| Recycled-content ratio | Confirm recycled material percentage in the product or component | A component percentage is presented as a finished-product percentage |
| Processing and outsourcing scope | Confirm whether spinning, weaving, injection molding, assembly, and other steps are included in traceability | Outsourced steps lack a document chain |
| Labels and listing wording | Confirm authorization for standard name, mark, and recycled-content claim wording | Claim scope is expanded beyond covered scope |
GRS and RCS Claim Boundaries
- RCS claims should focus on recycled material content and supply-chain traceability.
- GRS claims should also review environmental, chemical, and social-responsibility records.
- Do not expand evidence from one batch or component beyond the covered scope.
- Packaging, hangtags, e-commerce images, and advertising assets should use the same authorized expression.
Green Ark's Recommendation
Green Ark (Shenzhen) Certification Co., Ltd. recommends building a checklist that links material source, transaction certificate, recycled-content ratio, processing scope, and listing wording. GRS/RCS-related claims are suitable for customer-facing pages only when ratio, batch, and authorization records are clear.
