GRS, RCS and OCS
Three private Textile Exchange standards that verify recycled content (GRS, RCS) or organic content (OCS) in textile products through a documented chain of custody with per-batch Transaction Certificates.
Context
GRS, RCS and OCS are three Textile Exchange standards for verifying the content of specific fibres in textile products. GRS (Global Recycled Standard) and RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) verify recycled fibre; OCS (Organic Content Standard) verifies organic fibre.
Regulatory origin
Managed by Textile Exchange (Texas, USA). Verified through a documented chain of custody with Transaction Certificates for each batch sold.
Differences between the three standards
Minimum 20 per cent recycled content + ILO social criteria + environmental criteria (chemical management, wastewater) + chain of custody.
Minimum 5 per cent recycled content + chain of custody; no additional social/environmental criteria.
Verifies organic content via chain of custody; minimum 5 per cent for the "OCS Blended" label or over 95 per cent for the "OCS 100" label.
Timeline
GRS created
Control Union develops the first GRS, later transferred to Textile Exchange.
OCS and RCS created
Textile Exchange launches OCS and RCS as more accessible standards.
GRS 4.0
Current GRS version with reinforced criteria.
Applied case
A textile brand certifies its line of recycled-polyester jackets under GRS for premium and RCS for entry-level.
Premium line: certified under GRS, meeting over 50 per cent recycled content + social criteria at the spinning plant.
Entry-level line: certified under RCS, meeting over 20 per cent recycled content with no additional social criteria.
Each batch travels with a Transaction Certificate from the Approved Certification Body (Control Union, ECOCERT).
The final product bears a visible GRS or RCS label with a certificate number verifiable at textileexchange.org.
Common mistakes
GRS is not the same as RCS.
GRS is more demanding: 20% minimum + social and environmental criteria. RCS is 5% with no additional criteria. Communicating GRS where only RCS applies is greenwashing.
OCS does not certify organic farming.
OCS verifies organic content in the finished product. Certification of the crop (GOTS Organic Cotton, USDA Organic) is issued by other bodies. OCS adds traceability through to the product.
Certifying only the material does not exempt you from meeting the rest of the obligations.
A GRS label on a tag does not imply that 100% of the product is recycled.
GRS requires a minimum 20% recycled. Honest communication states the actual percentage (e.g. "60% recycled polyester, GRS certified"), not just the label.
Frequently asked questions
What are GRS, RCS and OCS?
Three Textile Exchange standards for verifying the content of specific fibres in textile products: (i) GRS Global Recycled Standard (recycled fibre), (ii) RCS Recycled Claim Standard (simplified recycled-content claim), (iii) OCS Organic Content Standard (organic content). They verify via a documented chain of custody with Transaction Certificates.
What is the difference between GRS and RCS?
GRS requires a minimum 20 per cent recycled content + ILO social criteria + environmental criteria (chemical management, wastewater) + chain-of-custody verification. RCS requires a minimum 5 per cent recycled content + chain of custody, with no social/environmental criteria. GRS is more demanding; RCS is more accessible for verifying content only.
What is the difference between OCS and GOTS?
OCS verifies organic content via chain of custody (minimum 5 per cent for the "OCS Blended" label, over 95 per cent for the "OCS 100" label). GOTS requires organic fibre over 70 or over 95 per cent + environmental criteria + social criteria + restricted chemical substances. GOTS is more comprehensive; OCS only covers content. For certified organic fibre, GOTS is the gold standard.
How is GRS/RCS/OCS certification obtained?
Through: (i) certification of each operator in the chain by an Approved Certification Body, (ii) an annual on-site audit, (iii) Transaction Certificates for each batch sold, (iv) a documented chain of custody. Only the final product with all operators certified may bear the label. System managed by Textile Exchange (Texas, USA).
What is the difference between GRS/RCS/OCS and OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN?
GRS/RCS/OCS verify the CONTENT of a specific fibre (recycled or organic). OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN verifies the ABSENCE of harmful substances + sustainable STeP production + BSCI/SA8000 social conditions. They coexist — a product can bear GOTS (organic) + OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN (substances) if it meets both systems.
Fuentes oficiales
- Textile Exchange2024Voluntary standard
- Textile Exchange2024Voluntary standard
- Textile Exchange2024Voluntary standard
