GRS – Global Recycled Standard

The GRS is a comprehensive, voluntary, international product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions.

Global Recycled Standard

About the standard

The primary goal of the GRS is to increase the use of recycled materials in products and reduce the harmful social, environmental and chemical impacts of production.

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Objectives

Standardization of Recycled definitions across multiple applications.
Track and trace recycled input materials.
Provide consumers (both brands and end consumers) with a tool to make informed decisions.
Provide assurance that materials are actually Recycled and in a final product.
Reduce the harmful impact of production on people and the environment.
Provide assurance that end-product materials are recycled and processed more sustainably.
Drive innovation to address quality issues in the use of recycled materials.

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Scope

Applies to products containing 20% or more Recycled Content.
Applies to any verified Recycled Material and can be applied to any supply chain.
Provides chain-of-custody verification of Recycled Material in accordance with the Content Claim Standard.Includes consumer-facing labeling; only products that have been certified by the seller in the last business-to-business transaction are eligible.
Only products with at least 50% recycled content qualify for product-specific GRS labeling.Establishes criteria for social and environmental principles in the processing of GRS certified products. – Restricts the use of hazardous chemicals in the processing of GRS products; does not address chemicals present in recovered materials or what may be present in final GRS products.It does not address quality or legal compliance.