Recycled Claim Standard

Recycled Content for both finished and intermediate products

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Shana Golden

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What is The Recycled Claim Standard?

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is an international, voluntary standard that sets requirements for third-party. It is a chain of custody standard to track recycled raw materials through the supply chain. It uses the chain of custody requirements of the Content Claim Standard (CSS).
 

The Recycled Claim Standard is intended for use with any product that contains at least 5% Recycled Material. Each stage of production is required to be certified, beginning at the recycling stage and ending at the last seller in the final business-to-business transaction. Material Collection and Material Concentration sites are subject to self-declaration, document collection, and on-site visits.
 

The RCS standard is a single attribute certification and does not take into account social or environmental aspects of processing and manufacturing, quality, or legal compliance.

The goal of the RCS is to increase the use of Recycled materials in products and supply chains.

- Alignment of Recycled definitions across multiple applications.
- Tracking and tracing Recycled input materials.
- Providing customers (both brands and consumers) with a tool to make informed decisions.
- Providing assurance that materials in the final product are actually recycled and processed more sustainably.

Why Choose SCS? 

SCS Global Services is a globally recognized, third-party certifier of recycled content claims. SCS Global Services has been a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for more than three decades.

  • Eligibility
  • Benefits
  • Process
  • Documents

Companies in ginning, spinning, weaving and knitting, dyeing and printing and cut and sew are eligible for certification.

Certification Features 
Certifies percentage of recycled content and provides chain of custody through the supply chain.

Complementary SCS Services 
SCS provides a full spectrum of environmental and sustainability certification services, Complementary services include: Global Recycled Standard, Certified Responsible Source™ Textiles, SCS Recycled Content Certification, Better Cotton Initiative, and Alliance for Water Stewardship Certification.

Certification for RCS benefits you, your customers, and other stakeholders, by demonstrating:

  • Alignment of Recycled definitions across multiple applications.
  • Tracking and tracing Recycled input materials.
  • Providing customers (both brands and consumers) with a tool to make informed decisions.
  • Providing assurance that materials in the final product are actually recycled and processed more sustainably
  1. Apply for Certification
    Complete and submit an SCS Application Form. SCS will scope the project based on information provided in the application and will prepare a proposal for your approval with suggested timeline and quote. Once you approve the proposal, you will sign a Work Order and an account manager will be assigned to guide you through the certification process.
  2. Data Collection
    Your auditor will request preliminary data which will be submitted to SCS. SCS will review the product data, corporate documentation, manufacturing process, product formulation, testing, etc, and assess your readiness for an audit. Audit SCS will conduct the certification audit, which will include an on-site inspection of your facility. The auditor will interact with your technical staff to clarify and obtain any additional information that might prove essential to reaching an accurate supportable evaluation.
  3. Draft Assessment Report 
    The auditor will write a draft assessment report that details the findings of the audit, which will include data analysis, non-conformities, and opportunities for improvement.
  4. Internal peer review 
    Another qualified SCS auditor will review the report, making any necessary corrections or changes before the report is sent to the client.
  5. Corrective Actions
    You will need to respond to any non-conformities with a corrective action plan. You may also make comments and responses to the information contained in the report and the conclusions drawn by the auditor.
  6. Make Certification Decision 
    SCS will conduct a final technical review of the assessment report and make the final certification decision. SCS can also provide client marketing support.
  7. Receive Certificate 
    If certification is granted, SCS will issue the certificate and final report to your facility or operation. Once certified, your company will receive a certificate and logos and is listed in the Green Products Certificate Database on the SCS website.
  8. Certification Maintenance and Renewal 
    Annual recertification audits are required to maintain certified status.
Document Name Document
Recycled Claim Standard English
Recycled Claim Standard Implementation Manual English

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Shana Golden

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