RCS – Recycled Claim Standard
RCS is a standard that verifies the presence and traceability of recycled material in textile products, from the origin of the fiber to the final product. It is ideal for companies that want to communicate recycled content in a credible way.
RCS
About the standard
Developed by Textile Exchange, this scheme is simple, robust, and focused on documentary traceability. It applies to manufacturers, brands, and suppliers that use certified recycled material (e.g., polyester, cotton, nylon) and need to demonstrate its origin to clients or third parties.
It is a voluntary international standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled inputs and chain of custody. The main objective of RCS is to increase the use of recycled materials.
Objectives
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Standardization of recycling definitions in multiple applications.
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Tracking and tracing of recycled input materials.
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Provide consumers (both brands and end consumers) with a tool to make informed decisions.
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Provide assurance that materials are actually recycled and in a final product.
Application
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It is designed for use with any product containing at least 5% Recycled Material.
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Certification is required for each stage of production, starting at the recycling stage and ending with the last vendor in the final business-to-business transaction. Materials Collection and Materials Concentration sites are subject to self-declaration, document collection and on-site visits.
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It does not address social or environmental aspects of processing and manufacturing, quality or legal compliance.
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Includes consumer-facing labeling; Only products that have been certified by the seller in the last business-to-business transaction are eligible.
Categories
RCS can be used as a business-to-business tool to give companies the means to ensure that they are selling quality products and getting what they are paying for. It is also used as a way to ensure accurate and honest communication with consumers. This includes ginning, spinning, weaving and knitting, dyeing, printing and sewing companies.
How can we help?
Would you like more specific information about our certification programs? If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us; we will be happy to get in touch with you.