Revised by an International Working Group of Certification Bodies including Control Union, Intertek and SCS Global Services, the latest GRS v3 (Global Recycling Standard) includes restrictions on chemicals used in the production of GRS products. The restrictions are based on the assignment of hazard codes, rather than testing against Restricted Substance List (RSL). However, as the literature in GRS v3 notes quotes, “The GRS addresses only the use and management of chemicals in the manufacturing of GRS products. The standard does not apply to the facility as a whole, but only to the production of GRS products.” A statement from Textile Exchange added: “The desired effect of the GRS is to provide brands with a tool to encourage innovation in the use of reclaimed materials, to encourage and reward a strong commitment to social and environmental improvements in production, to establish more transparency in the supply chain, and to provide better information to consumers.”
