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Published on: May 28, 2025

Recycled Claim Standard (RCS): Verifying Recycled Content for a Sustainable Future

Introduction

Sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. As industries face growing pressure from eco-conscious consumers, investors, and regulators, verifying environmental claims has become essential. In this context, the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) offers a practical and credible solution for companies looking to validate and communicate the use of recycled materials in their products.

This blog explores what the RCS is, how it works, and why it matters in the global shift toward responsible production and consumption.

What is the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)?

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is a voluntary international certification developed by Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization committed to promoting sustainable practices in the textile industry and beyond.

RCS provides third-party verification for the presence and amount of recycled content in a final product. It applies to any product containing recycled materials and is not limited to textiles—though it is widely used in the fashion and apparel industries.

The core purpose of RCS is to build trust in recycled material claims and to support accurate, transparent communication with consumers.

Key Objectives of RCS

→ Verify Recycled Content: Confirm the accurate use and percentage of recycled materials.
→ Provide Traceability: Ensure that recycled materials are properly documented and traced through every stage of production.
→ Encourage Responsible Production: Promote the use of recycled inputs to reduce dependence on virgin resources.
→ Improve Industry Credibility: Help brands avoid greenwashing by offering standardized and verified claims.
→ Support the Circular Economy: Encourage resource reuse and recycling as part of broader environmental goals.

Who Can Use the RCS?

The RCS is applicable to any business or product that uses recycled materials. It is commonly adopted in:

→ Textiles and Apparel
→ Footwear
→ Home Furnishings
→ Packaging
→ Plastics and Polymers
→ Stationery and Paper Goods

Whether you are a manufacturer, brand owner, or retailer, using the RCS helps validate the authenticity of your sustainability claims.

RCS vs. GRS: What’s the Difference?

Feature	RCS	GRS
Recycled Content Requirement	Minimum 5%	Minimum 20% (labeling starts at 50%)
Social and Environmental Criteria	Not included	Included
Chemical Restrictions	Not included	Included
Scope	Basic recycled material verification	Comprehensive (includes social, environmental, chemical)
Labeling	RCS 100, RCS Blended	GRS certified label

How Does the RCS Work?

Recycled Input Definition:
RCS defines recycled materials according to ISO 14021:
- → Pre-consumer recycled content: Material diverted during the manufacturing process.
- → Post-consumer recycled content: Material generated by households or commercial facilities after its intended use.
Chain of Custody (CoC):
The RCS follows the Content Claim Standard (CCS), which ensures that the identity of recycled materials is maintained from input to final product. Every stage of the supply chain—from recycling facility to final brand—must be certified.
Certification Types:
RCS offers two types of product labeling:
- → RCS 100: For products containing 95-100% recycled content.
- → RCS Blended: For products containing 5-94% recycled content.

Steps to Get RCS Certified

→ Understand Requirements: Learn the RCS guidelines and assess if your products and supply chain meet the criteria.
→ Choose a Certification Body: Select a Textile Exchange-approved certifier (e.g., Control Union, Intertek, SGS).
→ Prepare Documentation: Gather records of recycled content, supply chain partners, invoices, and production data.
→ On-Site Audit: Undergo an audit to verify chain of custody and proper handling of recycled materials.
→ Certification: If successful, receive an RCS certificate valid for one year, with annual renewal audits.

Benefits of RCS Certification

→ Build Consumer Trust: Verified labels reassure customers that sustainability claims are credible and real.
→ Market Access: Many global brands require certified materials for procurement.
→ Support Circular Economy: Encourages reuse and recycling over extraction of new resources.
→ Reduce Environmental Impact: Recycling reduces carbon emissions, water, and energy use.
→ Business Differentiation: Highlight your brand’s environmental responsibility and stand out in the market.

Challenges in RCS Implementation

→ Cost of Audits: Smaller companies may find third-party certification financially challenging.
→ Supply Chain Complexity: All suppliers must be RCS-certified, requiring alignment and coordination.
→ Recordkeeping Burden: Requires meticulous documentation for traceability.

Despite these hurdles, RCS certification can offer strong long-term benefits in reputation, compliance, and customer loyalty.

Real-World Example: RCS in Fashion

Fashion brands like H&M, Patagonia, and Levi's use RCS to validate recycled fiber content in garments. Labels such as “50% recycled cotton – RCS certified” help build trust and transparency.

Other industries—including packaging and paper goods—also adopt RCS to prove their environmental claims and support circular economy principles.

Conclusion

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) offers businesses a practical and credible way to verify and communicate the use of recycled content. As sustainability moves to the center of business strategy, certifications like RCS play a crucial role in building consumer trust, ensuring transparency, and supporting the shift toward circular economies.

Whether you're a manufacturer, brand, or retailer, integrating RCS into your operations isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a smart move for long-term success. In an age where every purchase is a statement, verified sustainability claims help your product speak louder, clearer, and more truthfully.

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