GRS consulting: Global Recycled Standard

What is GRS?

GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard. Control Union originally developed it in 2008, and ownership transferred to Textile Exchange in January 2011. GRS 3.0 was released in 2014.

Textile Exchange also manages standards including Content Claim Standard - CCS, Recycled Claim Standard - RCS, Organic Content Standard - OCS, Responsible Down Standard - RDS and Responsible Wool Standard - RWS. These standards support chain-of-custody verification for preferred materials and provide tools for substantiated claims and labelling of finished products.

Textile Exchange aims to accelerate sustainability improvements in textiles. Credible claims require an understanding of the issues, practical action and evidence that changes have occurred. Independent certification is one tool for verifying relevant requirements.

Historically, GRS 4.0 replaced GRS 3.0 on 1 July 2017, with a transition deadline of 1 July 2018. See the current-version note below before using the archived document.

English is the official language of the Global Recycled Standard. Where translations differ, refer to the official English version.

Current edition and transition

September 2026 update: Textile Exchange published GRS 5.0 on 1 July 2026, effective the same day and mandatory from 31 December 2026. Changes focus on reclaimed-material traceability and the RMDF declaration form. Materials Matter becomes effective on 31 December 2026 and mandatory for Tier 4 audits from 31 December 2027; check transition rules for the organisation’s role.

Textile Exchange - GRS 5.0

Textile Exchange - Materials Matter

GRS reference documents

Download the archived GRS 4.0 document: Global-Recycled-Standard-v4.0

GRS requirements: overview of the archived edition

The original article summarises the following sections. Confirm current requirements in the applicable standard and implementation manual.

Section A - General information

• Definitions
• References
• GRS certification principles
• Recycled-material requirements
• Chain-of-custody requirements

Section B - Social requirements

B1 - Social policy

• B1.1 Certified organisations must have clear policies to meet the GRS social requirements.
• B1.2 Record keeping

B2 - Social requirements

• B2.1 Forced, bonded, indentured and prison labour
• B2.2 Child labour
• B2.3 Freedom of association and collective bargaining
• B2.4 Discrimination, harassment and abuse
• B2.5 Health and safety
• B2.6 Wages, benefits and terms of employment
• B2.7 Working hours

Section C - Environmental requirements

C1 - Environmental management system

• C1.1 Environmental management system
• C1.2 Chemical management system
• C1.3 Record keeping

C2 - Environmental requirements

• C2.1 Energy use
• C2.2 Water use
• C2.3 Effluent
• C2.4 Air emissions
• C2.5 Waste management

Section D - Chemical requirements

D1 - GRS chemical management

• D1.1 GRS product chemical management
• D1.2 Record keeping

D2 - Restricted chemicals under GRS

• D2.1 Substances of concern
• D2.2 Exclusion of substances and mixtures classified with specified hazard codes or risk phrases
• D2.3 Exclusion of substances that do not meet the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL)

Note: GRS uses the ISO 14021 definition of recycled content, with interpretations informed by the US Federal Trade Commission Green Guides.