GRS is the Global Recycled Standard, owned by Textile Exchange. It verifies recycled content through the supply chain and adds social, environmental and chemical requirements for certified sites. A product needs at least 20% recycled content to be GRS certified, and at least 50% to carry a consumer-facing GRS label.
Certification breakdown
- GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard, a Textile Exchange standard.
- At least 20% recycled content to be certified; at least 50% for a consumer-facing label.
- Each site in the chain is audited, and chain-of-custody records follow the material.
- Requirements cover working conditions, environmental management and chemical use.
- Textile Exchange is folding GRS into its new Materials Matter Standard.
Introduction to GRS certification
The Global Recycled Standard is an international, voluntary standard. It checks that recycled material really is recycled and tracks it from the recycler to the final product. Unlike a content-only claim, GRS also sets requirements for the sites that process the material.
Why GRS certification matters in textiles
- Verified recycled content: the claim is audited rather than self-declared.
- Chain of custody: the recycled material is tracked between certified sites.
- Site requirements: social, environmental and chemical criteria apply where the material is processed.
Criteria for obtaining GRS certification
- Recycled content: at least 20% for certification, at least 50% for a consumer-facing label.
- Environmental management: certified sites must manage and monitor energy, water and wastewater.
- Social criteria: labour and workplace requirements for certified sites.
- Chemical restrictions: chemicals with harmful potential may not be used on GRS products.
- Traceability: transaction certificates follow the material between certified companies.
Benefits of GRS certification for brands and consumers
For brands and suppliers, GRS turns a recycled-content claim into something a buyer can check. For shoppers, a GRS label on a product means at least half of it is certified recycled material, handled by audited sites. It does not tell you about the product’s whole lifecycle footprint, and a supplier’s scope certificate is not proof that a particular item is certified; that takes a transaction certificate.
Challenges in achieving GRS certification
- Supply chain complexity: every site that takes ownership of the material needs certification.
- Cost: audits, record-keeping and process changes take time and money.
- Material availability: certified recycled feedstock can be limited.
- Ongoing audits: certification has to be maintained, not earned once.
The future of GRS certification
Textile Exchange is consolidating its standards, including GRS, into the Materials Matter Standard. It published the criteria in December 2025; the standard becomes effective on 31 December 2026 and mandatory on 31 December 2027, after which certified organisations move to it at their next audit. See Textile Exchange’s GRS page for the current position.
How this applies to Design Delight Studio
Design Delight Studio does not hold GRS certification. GRS is one of four certifications we market, with GOTS, OCS and PETA-Approved Vegan, and all four are held by our suppliers. Our certifications page explains what each one covers.
Textile safety and standards
What does GRS certification stand for in textiles?
Global Recycled Standard, a Textile Exchange standard that verifies recycled content and sets social, environmental and chemical requirements for certified sites.
Why is GRS certification important in textiles?
It makes recycled-content claims checkable, with audits and chain-of-custody records instead of self-declaration.
What are the criteria for obtaining GRS certification?
At least 20% recycled content (50% for a consumer-facing label), chain-of-custody traceability, and social, environmental and chemical requirements at each certified site.
What benefits does GRS certification offer brands and consumers?
Brands get a claim buyers can verify. Shoppers get assurance about recycled content and the conditions at the sites that processed it.
What challenges do companies face in achieving GRS certification?
Certifying every site in the chain, the cost of audits and records, and limited supplies of certified recycled material.
About this article. Updated on 26 September 2026. Drafted with AI assistance and checked against Design Delight Studio’s brand fact sheet and Textile Exchange’s GRS page. Correction: the previous version gave two different recycled-content minimums without explaining them, implied that Design Delight Studio holds GRS certification, listed OEKO-TEX among our certifications, and linked to a placeholder page. The thresholds are now explained, the certification is attributed to our suppliers, OEKO-TEX has been removed, and the links go to our live certifications page.