What Is GRS Certification? The Recycled Material Standard Explained By Chester Takau · July 2026 Short answer: GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard. It certifies that a product contains recycled materials and that the supply chain meets social, environmental, and chemical requirements. It is the most widely used recycled material certification in textiles and bags. Who created GRS and who runs it? GRS was originally developed by Control Union and then transferred to the Textile Exchange, a global non-profit focused on responsible materials in the textile industry. The Textile Exchange also manages other material standards like the Organic Content Standard and the Responsible Down Standard. GRS is the one most relevant to recycled synthetic materials — polyester, nylon, polypropylene — which is why it shows up so often on backpacks, bags, and outdoor gear. What does GRS actually verify? Three things: Recycled content percentage — the certification states exactly...