Are you looking for eco-friendly bags with certified recycled materials? However, simply claiming a product is “made from recycled materials” is no longer enough, certification is key.
Last Updated on June 9, 2026 by Gentle Packing Team
There are two widely recognized standards in this area: the Recycling Claims Standard (RCS) and the Global Recycling Standard (GRS).
Both certifications help verify the recycled content in products, but they have key differences in terms of scope and requirements. This article will provide a detailed comparison of RCS vs. GRS, helping businesses choose the right certification for their needs.
What is RCS (Recycled Claim Standard)?
The RCS (Recycled Claims Standard) is a voluntary international standard for tracking and verifying the content of recycled materials in products.
The RCS certification applies to any product containing recycled materials, and its goal is to implement a chain-of-custody system that ensures credibility and transparency in the use of recycled materials through third-party verification.
- Textiles (recycled cotton, RPET fiber, etc.)
- Reusable bags and accessories
- Paper products (recycled paper bags, recycled boxes)
- Plastic products (recycled PET bottles, containers, and packaging)
- Consumer goods with recycled content
RCS-certified products must contain at least 5% recycled content. The certification applies to individual materials rather than entire products, meaning it verifies the recycled component rather than the sustainability of the full product lifecycle.
The certification follows the chain of custody principle, meaning each stage of production, from raw material sourcing to final product manufacturing, must be audited and certified to maintain the integrity of the recycled content.
Are These Recycled Material Standards Recognized Worldwide?
Absolutely—major recycled material standards, such as the RCS, are recognized and accepted internationally. This means that whether a product is manufactured in Europe, shipped from Asia, or sold in North America, businesses can demonstrate compliance using the same set of guidelines.
Products certified under globally recognized schemes can display official logos on packaging and marketing materials, provided all relevant requirements are met. These certifications help brands and manufacturers communicate transparency, foster trust with eco-conscious consumers, and simplify cross-border trade, as the standards are accepted across markets worldwide.
In short, obtaining recognized recycled material certification opens doors for your products wherever you do business.
How to Get an RCS Certificate?
RCS-certified products carry the RCS logo, indicating the percentage of certified recycled content. So, how to get RCS certification?
- Certification application: Enterprises submit an application to the authorized agency and provide related materials to prove it.
- Supply chain audit: The certification authority checks the recycled material usage in the supply chain.
- Material traceability: Confirmation that the percentage of recycled materials in the product meets RCS standards.
- Issue of certificate: Enterprises can obtain RCS certification after passing the audit and can use the RCS logo on their products.
How to Find RCS- or GRS-Certified Companies?
Wondering how to source products or suppliers that are already certified to RCS or GRS? You’re in luck—there are reliable ways to check a company’s certification status before you place an order or sign a partnership.
- Certification directories: Several third-party organizations, such as Control Union, SGS, and Intertek, maintain up-to-date online directories where you can search for RCS- and GRS-certified companies by name, location, or product type.
- Supplier transparency: Many certified suppliers will proudly display their RCS or GRS certification details on their websites, including certificate numbers and downloadable documentation.
- Request documentation: When in doubt, ask your supplier to provide a valid copy of their certification. Reputable companies should have no trouble sharing audit results or proof of compliance.
These steps let you confidently ensure the products you’re sourcing meet the recycled material standards you require.
Essential Resources for RCS and GRS Standards
To help guide you through the certification process and implementation details, a range of helpful documentation is available. These resources break down everything from the core requirements of the RCS and GRS to practical manuals and quick-reference guides:
- Standard Overviews: Comprehensive documents outlining the official requirements for both RCS and GRS, explaining the criteria your products and processes must meet.
- Implementation Manuals: Step-by-step manuals offer practical guidance for actually applying the standards within your operations, making it easier to align your production and supply chain.
- Quick Guides: For a streamlined understanding or quick reference, summary documents highlight key principles, differences between standards, and must-know information.
- Chain of Custody Guidance: Detailed content about managing and proving chain of custody, essential to maintaining certification credibility.
- Claims and Labeling Policies: Documentation covering the proper way to communicate and market RCS and GRS certification, ensuring accuracy and compliance in product labeling.
- Guides to Recognized Materials: Resources help identify which recycled materials are covered within the standards, helping companies source correctly and document material origin.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Many certification bodies also provide FAQs to address common misconceptions and troubleshooting scenarios.
Relying on these resources—often available directly from authorized certifying organizations or leading industry consultancies such as Control Union, SGS, or Intertek—will put you on the right track for understanding, achieving, and maintaining RCS or GRS certification.
What is GRS (Global Recycled Standard)?
GRS (Global Recycling Standard) was also established by Textile Exchange, but it is more stringent and comprehensive than the RCS certification. It verifies not only the recycled material’s composition but also includes environmental and social responsibility requirements.
The GRS standard applies to the entire supply chain and covers traceability, environmental principles, social requirements, chemical composition, and labeling. GRS certification is widely used by companies that want to go beyond material verification and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.
- Textile and fashion (recycled polyester, cotton, nylon)
- Paper products ( eco-friendly packaging, recycled paper bags)
- Packaging (recycled plastic bags, cardboard)
- Home Furnishings
- Automotive components
GRS-certified products must contain at least 20% recycled material. However, for a product to carry the GRS label, it must have at least 50% recycled content. Unlike RCS, GRS focuses on the material itself and ensures that the manufacturing process follows ethical and sustainable practices.
Additional Environmental & Social Requirements
One of the key advantages of GRS over RCS is its broader sustainability scope. GRS certification requires:
- Chemical Restrictions – Prohibits hazardous chemicals, ensuring safe material handling.
- Environmental Responsibility – Requires companies to track water and energy consumption, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact.
- Social Responsibility – Enforces fair labor practices, prohibiting child labor, and forced labor, and ensuring worker safety.
How to Get GRS?
- Material Verification – Raw materials must be certified as recycled.
- Supply Chain Compliance – Factories and suppliers must follow GRS environmental and social guidelines.
- Third-party Audit & Certification – The supply chain is verified for compliance.
- Final Product Approval – If the product meets GRS criteria, it can display the GRS logo.
What are the Key Differences Between RCS vs. GRS?
Both standards rely on the foundation of the Content Claims Standard (CCS), the chain of custody for all textile exchange standards, which ensures the identity of claimed materials from the raw material to the maintenance of its final product. While both RCS and GRS help verify recycled content, they cater to different levels of sustainability commitment.
Does GRS Certification Automatically Cover RCS?
A common question is whether holding a GRS certification means you’re automatically RCS certified as well. The answer is: not quite. While the Global Recycled Standard’s requirements are more comprehensive and inherently cover the recycled content aspects of the Recycled Claim Standard, the two are technically separate certifications.
If your company already holds GRS certification, you don’t need to start from scratch to add RCS. Most certification bodies, like Control Union, SGS, or Intertek, allow you to apply for RCS as an add-on. Typically, an additional audit isn’t necessary, as the documentation and verification for GRS adequately demonstrate compliance with RCS. For efficiency, many businesses choose to pursue both certifications together, streamlining the process with a single audit and application.
This dual approach gives you the flexibility to meet various customer and market requirements for recycled content—whether they call for RCS, GRS, or both.
Three Main Objectives of RCS & GRS
- Ensure transparency in the use of recycled materials.
- Support sustainable production practices.
- Provide consumer confidence in environmentally responsible products.
The Key Differences Between RCS and GRS
RCS-certified products must contain a minimum of 5% recycled content. GRS-certified products must contain a minimum of 20% recycled content. Even GRS-labeled products must contain at least 50% recycled content. In addition, GRS includes additional sustainability and ethical manufacturing requirements compared to RCS.
- Minimum Recycled Content: RCS requires only 5%, whereas GRS requires at least 20%.
- Environmental Impact Considerations: GRS includes requirements for chemical management, energy use, and waste reduction, which RCS does not cover.
- Social Responsibility: GRS ensures fair labor practices, while RCS focuses only on recycled content verification.
Clarifying Minimum Content Requirements
It’s easy to get confused when different documents mention both 20% and 50% recycled content for GRS products. Here’s what’s really happening:
- For Business Use: If you’re producing or buying products within the supply chain (business-to-business), a minimum of 20% recycled content qualifies the product for GRS certification.
- For Labeling to Consumers: If you want your product to carry the GRS logo or make claims directly on packaging aimed at shoppers, the product must contain at least 50% recycled material.
In other words:
- 20% is the entry level for supply chain certification.
- 50% is the threshold for selling or marketing products to consumers with a certified GRS label.
This dual threshold is designed to support businesses in tracking recycled content at all stages, while ensuring that only products with substantial recycled content are marketed as GRS-certified to the public.
Table Comparison of RCS and GRS
| Criteria | RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) | GRS (Global Recycled Standard) |
| Minimum Recycled Content | 5% | 20% (50% for labeling) |
| Material Verification | Yes | Yes |
| Environmental Requirements | No | Yes |
| Chemical Restrictions | No | Yes |
| Social Responsibility Requirements | No | Yes |
| Supply Chain Certification | Yes | Yes |
| Labeling Rules | Can be labeled with 5% recycled content | Must have 50% recycled content for labeling |
Application of RCS/GRS in the Eco-Friendly Bag Industry
Eco-friendly bags from recycled materials have become a popular choice for brands, retailers, and businesses. But simply claiming that a bag is “made from recycled materials” isn’t enough, buyers are increasingly looking for certified sustainable products. This is where RCS and GRS certifications add value.
RCS-Certified Recycled Bags are best for brands that want affordable, verifiable recycled content without additional sustainability compliance requirements. Common materials include:
- RCS-certified rPET Bags (Recycled Polyester Bags) – From recycled plastic bottles, an ideal alternative to traditional plastic bags.
- RCS-certified recycled cotton bags – A great option for brands wanting an eco-friendly alternative to virgin cotton bags.
GRS ensures a more sustainable and ethical production process, making them ideal for brands that prioritize high environmental standards. GRS-certified recycled bags are the preferred choice for brands that require high sustainability standards. These bags need to be secured:
- Verified high recycled content (50% or more)
- Ethical production (fair wages, safe working conditions)
- No harmful chemicals used in dyeing and finishing
- Lower carbon footprint compared to conventional bags
Many companies choose GRS-certified bags to meet the strict environmental and social standards required by international markets, particularly in Europe and North America.
How to Choose the Right Certification?
Choosing between RCS and GRS depends on your business goals, market requirements, and commitment to sustainability. When deciding between RCS and GRS, consider the following factors:
- If you only need to verify the use of recycled materials → RCS is sufficient
- If you want to ensure ethical and environmentally responsible production → Choose GRS
- If targeting premium markets with strict sustainability policies → GRS is more widely accepted
- If looking for a cost-effective certification with minimal compliance requirements → RCS is more affordable
Conclusion
Both RCS and GRS play an essential role in verifying recycled content, but they cater to different business needs. RCS is a straightforward certification focused on material verification. GRS is a more comprehensive standard that includes environmental and social responsibility criteria.
If you’re looking for RCS or GRS-certified reusable bags, check out Gentle Packing. Selecting the right certification can enhance brand credibility and meet sustainability goals.