As sustainability becomes an increasingly important requirement in global supply chains, many manufacturers are beginning to use recycled materials to meet the expectations of customers, international brands, and export markets.

However, using recycled materials is only the first step. What matters more is whether a business can prove the origin of those materials, the percentage of recycled content in its products, and its ability to control recycled materials throughout the entire production process.

This is why the GRS standard has become increasingly important for many businesses.

GRS not only helps verify recycled materials but also requires companies to control traceability, environmental management, chemical management, social responsibility, and management systems. As a result, GRS certification has become one of the common requirements for businesses participating in supply chains for textiles, yarn, fabrics, plastics, packaging, footwear, and consumer goods.

1. What Is GRS?

GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard.

It is an international standard used to verify the recycled content of products while also controlling the chain of custody, environmental requirements, chemical management, and social responsibility during production.

In simple terms, GRS helps businesses answer important questions such as:

• Where do the recycled materials come from?

• What percentage of recycled material does the product contain?

• Are recycled materials controlled during production?

• Can the finished product be traced back to the input materials?

• Does the production process meet environmental, chemical, and social responsibility requirements?

Therefore, GRS is not merely a standard for recycled products. It is a more comprehensive assessment system that helps businesses demonstrate transparency and responsibility within the supply chain.

2. What Is GRS Certification?

GRS certification is granted to businesses that meet the requirements of the Global Recycled Standard. This certification confirms that a company has an appropriate management system to control recycled materials, ensure traceability, and comply with requirements related to environmental management, chemical management, and social responsibility.

It is important to note that GRS certification does not only assess the final product. The assessment also reviews the company’s entire management system, including purchasing, material receiving, storage, production, record control, material balance calculation, and product sales.

Therefore, to achieve GRS certification, a business needs to prepare not only eligible recycled materials but also a proper documentation system and operational procedures that comply with the standard’s requirements.

3. Which Businesses Can Apply GRS?

GRS can apply to many types of businesses involved in the supply chain of products containing recycled materials.

Common businesses applying GRS include:

• Recycled material suppliers.

• Yarn spinning mills.

• Fabric mills, dyeing facilities, and finishing facilities.

• Garment manufacturers.

• Footwear and accessory manufacturers.

• Plastic and packaging manufacturers.

• Trading companies dealing with recycled materials or recycled products.

• Packaging and distribution units.

• Brands or retailers that want to verify products with recycled origin.

GRS is especially suitable for businesses supplying products to international customers, major brands, or markets with high requirements for sustainability and traceability.

4. Key Requirements of GRS

To achieve GRS certification, a business must not only use recycled materials but also demonstrate its ability to control materials, maintain traceability, and comply with requirements related to environmental management, chemical management, social responsibility, and management systems.

Recycled Content

GRS requires businesses to demonstrate that their products contain recycled materials at a percentage that meets the requirements of the standard and the customer.

Businesses need to maintain records showing the origin of recycled materials, input quantity, recycled content percentage, and the connection between input materials and finished products.

Chain of Custody

Businesses must establish a Chain of Custody system to track recycled materials from suppliers, receiving, storage, production, and final shipment.

The objective is to ensure that GRS materials are properly identified, separately managed, and not confused or mixed with conventional materials without proper control.

Environmental Management

GRS requires businesses to control environmental impacts arising from production activities, including wastewater, air emissions, waste, energy use, and resource consumption.

Businesses need to maintain appropriate records, procedures, or control measures to demonstrate that production activities are managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Chemical Management

For businesses using chemicals in production, GRS requires chemical control from purchasing, storage, use, and disposal.

Common records include chemical lists, SDS/MSDS, chemical assessments, safe-use instructions, and related employee training records.

Social Responsibility

GRS includes requirements related to working conditions to ensure that workers operate in a safe, fair, and responsible working environment.

Businesses need to control issues such as child labor, forced labor, working hours, wages, discrimination, occupational health and safety, and grievance mechanisms.

5. GRS Certification Consulting Process

The GRS certification consulting process at TTS Cert is designed to help businesses meet the requirements of the GRS standard and achieve certification effectively. The process typically includes the following steps:

Step 1: Information Collection and Preliminary Review

TTS Cert receives the company’s request and collects initial information about products, production processes, supply chains, and the intended GRS certification scope.

Step 2: Current Status Assessment and Gap Analysis

TTS Cert conducts an assessment of the company’s current practices against the requirements of the GRS standard and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

Step 3: System Development and Documentation Support

TTS Cert supports the company in developing procedures, policies, and documentation related to traceability, environmental management, social responsibility, and chemical management according to GRS requirements.

Step 4: Internal Training and Awareness Building

Training sessions are provided for key personnel to ensure they understand GRS requirements and can effectively implement and maintain the system.

Step 5: Certification Document Preparation and Certification Body Selection

TTS Cert supports the company in preparing certification documents and helps connect the business with certification bodies recognized by Textile Exchange.

Step 6: Support During the Certification Audit

TTS Cert accompanies the company during the on-site assessment conducted by the certification body and supports clarification or explanation when needed.

Step 7: Post-Certification Follow-up and Improvement Support

After certification is achieved, TTS Cert continues to support the company in maintaining the system, implementing periodic improvements, and preparing for surveillance or renewal audits.

6. Documents Required for a GRS Assessment

Documentation is one of the most important elements in a GRS certification assessment. Businesses need to demonstrate the complete flow of recycled materials from input to output.

The main document groups usually include the following.

Input Material Documents

Businesses need to maintain records proving that recycled materials are purchased from suitable suppliers.

Common documents include purchase contracts, purchase orders, invoices, delivery notes, warehouse receiving records, supplier certificates, and input Transaction Certificates, if applicable.

Warehouse and Material Identification Records

Businesses need to demonstrate that GRS materials are properly identified, stored, and managed to avoid confusion with conventional materials.

Relevant records may include inventory records, material identification labels, warehouse layout, stocktaking records, and rules for distinguishing GRS materials from non-certified materials.

Production and Traceability Records

Businesses need records showing which production batch used the recycled materials and which finished products were produced from those materials.