Compliance GuideOctober 2026

GRS Certification Explained: What Global Recycled Standard Means for Your Supply Chain

Key distinction**: GRS is the only certification that combines recycled content verification with full supply chain traceability and social/environmental requirements. ## Why GRS Matters for Packaging Buyers ### Regulatory Compliance The EU's PPWR mandates minimum recycled content in plastic packaging starting in 2030. To claim compliance, you need documented proof of recycled content — not just supplier declarations. GRS certification provides this documentation. When your supplier holds a valid GRS certificate, the recycled content claim is independently verified and auditable. ### Brand Protection Unverified sustainability claims expose your brand to accusations of greenwashing — a risk that is increasing as regulators and consumers become more sophisticated. GRS certification gives you defensible evidence to support your marketing claims. ### Buyer Requirements Major retailers and brands increasingly require GRS certification from packaging suppliers. If you are not specifying GRS-certified materials, you may be excluding yourself from certain supply chains. ## Understanding the GRS Logo and Label Grades GRS-certified products can display the GRS logo with one of two labels: - **GRS Certified (50-79% recycled content)** — Products contain at least 50% recycled material - **GRS Certified (80-100% recycled content)** — Products contain at least 80% recycled material The exact percentage should be specified on transaction certificates for each shipment. ### Transaction Certificates (TCs) Each shipment of GRS-certified material must be accompanied by a **Transaction Certificate** issued by an accredited certification body. TCs document: - Buyer and seller details - Product description and quantity - Recycled content percentage - Certification body approval **When auditing suppliers**, request TCs for recent shipments — not just the scope certificate. TCs are issued per transaction and provide the strongest evidence of genuine GRS compliance. ## How to Verify a Supplier's GRS Certificate Not all GRS claims are equal. Follow these steps to verify authenticity: **Step 1: Check the certification body

Sustainability claims are everywhere in packaging. But how do you separate genuine environmental commitment from greenwashing? For buyers sourcing flexible packaging and garment labels, GRS certification has become the gold standard for verifying recycled content claims.

This guide explains what GRS is, why it matters, and how to use it to evaluate suppliers and meet your own sustainability commitments.

What Is GRS?

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international voluntary product standard that verifies recycled content in products and tracks it through the supply chain. Administered by Textile Exchange (formerly Control Union), GRS covers:

Recycled content verification — Confirms the percentage of recycled material in the final product
Supply chain traceability — Tracks recycled material from source to finished product
Environmental processing requirements — Ensures production meets chemical and environmental standards
Social requirements — Verifies compliance with labor standards (based on ILO conventions)
Chemical restrictions — Limits hazardous substances in processing

GRS vs. Other Certifications

GRS	Full supply chain	Yes (50-100%)	Yes — chain of custody
RCS	Content claim only	Yes (5-100%)	No chain of custody
OEKO-TEX	Consumer safety	No	No
ISO 14001	Environmental management	No	No

GRS certificates are issued by accredited third-party bodies such as SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, or Control Union. The certificate should clearly identify the certifier.

Step 2: Verify with the certification body

Most certification bodies offer online certificate verification. Enter the certificate number to confirm it is valid and current.

Step 3: Confirm scope

The certificate should explicitly list:

The certified entity (legal company name and address)
Products covered (e.g., "flexible packaging film," "woven labels")
Processing activities (e.g., "weaving," "printing," "lamination")

Step 4: Check validity dates

GRS certificates are valid for one year. An expired certificate is not evidence of current compliance.

Step 5: Request Transaction Certificates

For any specific order, request the corresponding TC to confirm the shipped product is covered.

GRS in Flexible Packaging Applications

GRS certification applies to various flexible packaging products:

Recycled PE film — Shopping bags, garbage bags, garment packaging
Recycled PP woven bags — Bulk packaging, construction materials
Recycled PET film — Labels, lidding film
Recycled non-woven fabric — Tote bags, promotional items

For garment labels and tags, GRS-certified recycled polyester yarn is increasingly specified by fashion brands with recycled content commitments.

Common Misconceptions

"GRS means the product is recyclable."

No. GRS verifies recycled content — the percentage of recycled material used. Recyclability is a separate property related to end-of-life processing.

"All recycled content is post-consumer."

GRS distinguishes between pre-consumer (industrial scrap) and post-consumer (used by consumers) recycled content. Post-consumer content is generally considered more impactful and may be required for certain regulatory claims.

"A certificate covers everything the company makes."

No. The scope certificate lists specific products and facilities. Products not listed are not certified.

Integrating GRS into Your Procurement Process

When sourcing GRS-certified packaging:

Specify GRS in your RFQ — Request the certificate number and scope

Verify before sampling — Check certificate validity before investing time in samples

Require TCs with shipments — Make transaction certificates a condition of payment

Audit periodically — Re-verify certificates annually as they expire

Moving Forward

GRS certification is becoming table stakes for packaging suppliers serving environmentally conscious brands. Understanding how to verify and specify GRS-certified materials protects your brand and ensures compliance with evolving regulations.

At LiHai Industrial, we hold GRS certification for our recycled flexible packaging products, with full transaction certificate support for every shipment. Our team can guide you through specifying the right recycled content level for your application.

Contact our team to discuss GRS-certified packaging options for your product line.

LiHai Industrial is a Shanghai-based flexible packaging manufacturer serving EU and global markets since 2013. We specialize in recyclable mono-material packaging, custom printed pouches, and sustainable packaging solutions.

Published: October 2026