The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is an international, voluntary standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled input and chain of custody. The goal of the RCS is to increase the use of recycled materials and uphold the chain of custody requirements of the Content Claim Standard (CCS).

The objectives of the RCS are:

•  To align definitions of ‘Recycled Material’ across multiple applications
• To track and trace recycled input materials
• To provide consumers (both businesses and individual consumers) with a tool to make informed decisions
• To provide assurance that materials in the final product are recycled as claimed

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 with 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.

• Content of recycled fibres in textile products
• Content of recycled metal in metal products
• Content of recycled plastic in plastic products
• Content of recycled paper in paper products

You can apply online for the RCS Certification.  We will use the application details to produce a quotation.

Once the quotation has been accepted, return a signed copy of the quotation and our Scheme Rules.

The following documents are supplied prior to the initial certification:

• Briefing information about the RCS Standard
• Standard and Implementation Manual
• Document checklist
• Inspection Report including inspection checklists, list of suppliers and subcontractors

• Opening meeting
• On-site Audit
• Preparation of Audit Report (including Findings)
• Closing meeting

Following the completion of the inspection, a report detailing the findings is provided. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), a Scope Certificate is issued.

Whenever the client wishes to have artwork approved, the proposed artwork and Labelling Release form must be submitted to GCL International for approval.

• The certified client may request a Transaction Certificate by email
• Send a Transaction Certificate Request form and associated documents to us
• If approved, the Transaction Certificate is issued to the client

• GCL International will communicate with the client to plan for the reassessment and to determine if there have been any changes, such as to production units, subcontractors, recipes or new suppliers. An audit report must be completed by the client and returned to us
• GCL International will conduct the reassessment
• Following the completion of the reassessment, a report detailing the findings is provided. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), a certificate with TE labelling is issued

• GCL Scheme Rules
• RCS Standard, v2.0
• RCS Implementation Manual, v2.2
• CCS Standard, v3.1
• Transaction Certificates Policy
• Scope Certificates Policy
• Standards Claims Policy
  
• Standards Logo Use Specifications
• Request Operator Handbook 
• Request Fee Structure