Specific requirements of GRS certification for jacket suppliers
Against the backdrop of growing global environmental awareness, GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification has become one of the important standards in the textile industry. For jacket suppliers, obtaining GRS certification can not only enhance the market competitiveness of products, but also meet the needs of brands and consumers for environmentally friendly products. This article will explore in detail the specific requirements of GRS certification for jacket suppliers.
1. Background and significance of GRS certification
GRS certification is an international voluntary standard developed by the Global Textile Exchange to ensure that the raw materials used in the production process of products are recyclable and have minimal impact on the environment. Through this certification, companies can demonstrate their responsibility and commitment to the environment to consumers and the market, while also helping to improve the competitiveness of their products.
2. Specific requirements of GRS certification
1. Enterprise qualifications
The enterprise must be a legally registered entity, including a legal person, natural person or other organization, and have the corresponding business license and tax registration certificate.
2. Production capacity
The enterprise must have the corresponding production capacity, including procurement, production, processing, handling and other links, to ensure the integrity and traceability of the product from raw materials to finished products.
3. Legal compliance
Enterprises must comply with national and regional environmental laws and regulations, including regulations on pollutant emission control, waste management, etc., to ensure that production activities do not have a negative impact on the environment.
4. Management system
Enterprises need to establish an environmental and social responsibility management system that complies with ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) and SA 8000 (International Standard for Social Responsibility). This includes formulating clear environmental policies, ensuring employee welfare and safety and health, and implementing an effective environmental management system.
5. Recycled material requirements
The recycled materials used by the company must contain at least 20% recycled content (by weight), and these materials must come from certified recycling facilities or strictly verified recycling supply chains.
6. Sustainable production methods
Enterprises need to adopt sustainable production methods, including using environmentally friendly materials, reducing energy consumption, optimizing production processes, etc., to reduce the impact on the environment.
III. Main contents of GRS certification
1. Product recycled content and supply chain requirements
The declared recycled materials should follow a complete and verified chain of custody from input to final product. Enterprises need to ensure that the source of recycled materials is traceable and have a complete recycled material custody chain.
2. Social responsibility requirements
Workers employed by the company should be protected by a strong social responsibility policy. It is easier to meet the social responsibility requirements if the company has implemented SA8000 certification, ISO45001 certification, or is required by buyers to pass BSCI, SMETA, etc., as well as the brand's own supply chain social responsibility audit.
3. Environmental requirements
Companies should have a high degree of environmental awareness and apply the most stringent national and/or local regulations or GRS requirements in all cases. Specifically include:
Energy testing (water, electricity, gas)
Water use and records
Steam contract
Wastewater treatment certificate (test certificate of sewage treatment plant)
Sediment, sludge discharge permit
4. Chemical requirements
Chemicals used to produce GRS products will not cause unnecessary harm to the environment or workers. Specific requirements include:
Do not use substances restricted by REACH and ZDHC regulations
Do not use chemicals in the hazard code or risk term classification (GRS standard table A)
Chemicals need to have separate warehouses and secondary containers
Employees need to wear labor protection products and professional operation training records
IV. Traceability principle of GRS certification
If a company wants to apply for GRS certification, the upstream supplier of recycled raw materials should also have a GRS certification certificate. When conducting the company's GRS certification, its suppliers should provide GRS certificates and transaction certificates (TC).
1. Supply chain review
GRS certification requires companies to conduct a comprehensive review and management of their supply chains to ensure that suppliers and subcontractors also meet GRS requirements, including the use of environmentally friendly materials and avoidance of hazardous substances. The entire supply chain needs to hold a GRS certificate, so companies need to ensure that their upstream suppliers also hold a GRS certificate.
2. Subcontractor management
Joint subcontractors: Uncertified subcontractors will be audited together with the organization, and the organization is responsible for the audit results of the subcontractors. The subcontractor's information will be included in the organization's SC scope certificate.
Independent subcontractor: For certified subcontractors, the organization needs to include the subcontractor's certification body, license number, and scope certificate expiration date in the inventory information, and notify the subcontractor's certification body.
V. Classification of GRS certification
GRS certification is divided into copper standard, silver standard and gold standard according to the recycling standard of each product:
Gold standard: The product contains 95-100% recycled materials
Silver standard: The product contains 70-95% recycled materials
Copper standard: The product contains no less than 30% recycled materials
All standard products must display the percentage of recycled components and will be hung with the appropriate gold, silver and copper GRS logo.
VI. Application process for GRS certification
1. Application
Submit a certification application to the GRS certification issuing agency. After receiving the application form and confirming that it is correct, the certification agency will immediately evaluate the feasibility of the certification and the related costs.
2. Contract confirmation
After evaluating the application form, the certification agency will quote according to the application situation. The budget cost will be detailed in the contract. The applicant will confirm and sign as soon as possible after receiving the contract.
3. Audit
The certification body will arrange auditors to conduct on-site audits, and the audit content includes:
Social responsibility: The auditor will check the wages, training records, fire safety facilities, water quality reports, first aid safety certificates, etc. in the past six months.
Environment: Check energy testing records, water usage records, steam contracts, sewage treatment certificates, sediment and sludge discharge permits, etc.
Chemicals: Check MSDS (chemical instructions for use), chemical management system, usage records, chemical warehouses and secondary containers, employee labor protection supplies and operation training records, etc.
On-site: Check fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, medicine boxes, alarms and other fire hardware, GRS production area division, GRS equipment identification, GRS raw materials, auxiliary materials, finished products, etc.
4. Certificate issuance
After the audit is passed, the certification body will issue the GRS Scope Certificate (SC) and Transaction Certificate (TC). The Scope Certificate (SC) proves that the company has the qualifications to produce GRS standard products, and the Transaction Certificate (TC) proves that the purchased (or sold) products meet the GRS standard requirements.
7. Maintenance and renewal of GRS certification
The validity period of the GRS certificate is 12 months. After the certificate expires, the company needs to reapply for a new certificate. Generally speaking, the company needs to start preparing to apply for renewal or renewal of the certificate 2-3 months before the expiration of the certificate.
8. Summary
GRS certification puts forward comprehensive requirements for jacket suppliers, covering enterprise qualifications, production capacity, legal compliance, management system, recycled materials, sustainable production methods, social responsibility, environmental requirements and chemical management. By meeting these requirements, jacket suppliers can not only improve the environmental performance of their products, but also enhance market competitiveness and meet the needs of brands and consumers for environmentally friendly products. I hope this article will help jacket suppliers understand and apply for GRS certification.