Textile Exchange has released a new version of its Global Recycling Standard. For the first time this version includes restrictions on chemicals used in the production of GRS products.
GRS Version 3 aims to provide brands with a tool for more accurate labeling of recycled textile products and better information to consumers. Control Union Certifications launched the first Global Recycling Standard (GRS) for textiles and clothing in 2008 to ensure greater sourcing clarity right through the production supply chain. Control Union Certifications is a Netherlands-based group of international industries. GRS intends to provide brands with a tool to encourage innovation in the use of reclaimed materials, to encourage and reward a strong commitment to social and environmental improvements in production.
The GRS is a three-tiered system with the gold standard requiring products to contain 95 per cent to 100 per cent recycled material; the silver standard requires products to be made of 70 per cent to 95 per cent recycled products; and the bronze standard requires products to have a minimum of 30 per cent recycled content.
Ownership was passed to Textile Exchange in 2011. Textile Exchange initiated a revision of the standard in early 2012 and an International Working Group of Certification Bodies was developed to revise the standard.
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