⫸ What is GRS Certification?
GRS Certification is a globally recognized standard industry recall for authenticating the recycled material in a product and monitors sustainability from manufacturing to the end product. It certifies the entire channel range starting from the procurement, manufacturing, and trading arenas, endorsing sustainability as well as clarity. It defines conditions of environmental, chemical, and societal effects.
⫸ Objectives of GRS Audit Certification
- Check the extent of recycled content of products in the market.
- Achieve sound environmental management and oversight.
- Ensure supply chains have high levels of transparency.
- Promote and enforce social accountability in the certified organizations.
⫸ Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
The Global Recycled Standard is an initiative of Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization launched in 2012 worldwide. Based on the corporate missions, it also guarantees that the materials involved are recycled with no chemical processes and are manufactured under fair labor practices.
⫸ Main Features of GRS
- Recycled Content Verification: Validates that the product contains genuine recycled materials.
- Environmental Criteria: Ensures environmentally responsible processing and manufacturing.
- Chemical Management: Restricts hazardous chemicals during the production process.
- Social Criteria: Ensures fair labor practices, including worker safety and rights.
⫸ GRS Certified Products
Products that have gained the GRS certification cover many sectors hence there is responsible use of recycled materials on many products. These products can only be certified if they are made of at least 20% recycled content.
Types of GRS Certified Products
- Apparel and Textiles: Clothing and home textile products made from recycled material.
- Footwear: Shoes of recycled materials and articles such as rubber or polyester.
- Packaging: Reusable content in the packaging such as plastics and papers.
- Accessories: Clothing and textiles, shoes and boots worn on feet, handbags and pockets, belts and pouches, and other items made from recycled material.
Planning on purchasing GRS-certified products indeed serves as proof of environmental responsibility and being environmentally friendly brands benefit from appealing to the customers with the same orientation.
⫸ GRS Audit Certification Process
The GRS Certification process has certain steps to cover to meet outlined environmental as well as social standards. Here’s a breakdown of the typical certification process:
Steps Involved:
- Application Submission: Subject to public disclosure, businesses need to send an application to an accredited GRS Certification Body, which will include information about the company’s scope of operations.
- Document Review: Certifiers review residue assessment documentation including sources of recycled materials and the production process.
- On-site Audit: They will conduct a physical assessment of the facilities in other to ensure that they meet the General Recyclability Standard of the content of recycled material and environmental and social impact.
- Evaluation: In the case of an audit, the certifier analyzes the findings and considers whether the company corresponds to all crucial standards.
- Certification Decision: After the business meets the internationally accepted GRS criteria the certifier awards the certification. This means that corrective actions have to be taken before a company is certified as compliant.
- Annual Surveillance Audits: Companies are subjected to routine audits to conform to GRS standards continuously.
⫸ Benefits of GRS Certification
The following are the benefits that companies that get the GRS Certification stand to enjoy especially if the company is into sustainability and has high standards of ethical production:
- Consumer Trust: Assure the eco-conscious consumers that recycled materials have been used through certification.
- Sustainability Commitment: Suggests that a company commits to weakening its effect on the environment through sourcing its products in an environmentally friendly manner.
- Global Market Access: It allows entry to numerous environmentally conscious international markets.
- Brand Differentiation: Be unique from the competition by promoting the company’s social responsibility.
- Resource Efficiency: Paves the way for the conservation of raw materials thus making great savings in the long run.
- Compliance with Regulations: Provides compliance to global requirements concerning recycle content and environmental performance.
⫸ How to Get GRS Certified?
The process of obtaining this certification involves multiple steps that businesses need to follow carefully. Below are some critical aspects of how to get certified:
⫸ Steps to Achieve Certification
- Choose a GRS-Certified Body: Select a certification body accredited to provide this certification.
- Prepare Documentation: Gather all necessary documentation, including records of raw materials, production processes, and supply chain information.
- Pre-Audit Evaluation: Conduct an internal evaluation to ensure readiness for the official audit.
- On-Site Audit: Pass the on-site inspection conducted by the certification body.
- Take Corrective Actions: Address any non-compliance issues identified during the audit.
- Obtain Certification: Upon successful compliance with GRS requirements, receive the certification.
⫸ GRS Audit Certification Cost
The cost of GRS Audit Certification can vary based on several factors such as the size of the business, the number of production sites, and the complexity of operations.
⫸ Typical Costs Include
The fee is dependent on numerous attributes such as the size and number of production facilities as well as the level of production intensity of the enterprise.
- Application Fees: Administrative fee for the granting of the certification which is a one-time fee that may cost between 25000 to 80000 INR depending on the certification agency.
- Audit Fees: This is the most important cost which may include travel, auditor’s fees, and time for an audit. The audit fees might be around ₹ 85000 and above depending on the size and operations of a business.
- Annual Renewal Fees: Since GRS insists that recertification be done once a year, a business has to include expenses on audits in its budget. As for the annual renewals, one may cost between ₹1,50,000 to ₹ 3,00,000.
⫸ GRS Certification Bodies
The certifying body plays a vital role in the certification process. Only certification bodies approved by Textile Exchange can perform the audit and issue certificates.
⫸ GRS Certification Bodies in India
- Control Union Certifications
- ICEA (Ethical and Environmental Certification Institute)
- Ecocert certification
- SGS
- Intertek
These organizations are responsible for verifying compliance with the Global Recycled Standard.
⫸ GRS Certification Requirements
To achieve this certification, businesses must meet stringent environmental and social standards. Below are the primary certification requirements:
- Recycled Content: Products must contain at least 20% recycled materials to qualify for this certification.
- Chemical Restrictions: The use of certain harmful chemicals is prohibited during production.
- Social Responsibility: Businesses must adhere to fair labor practices, including no child or forced labor.
- Environmental Impact: Companies must implement environmental management practices to minimize water, energy, and waste.
⫸ Sustainable Certification for Textiles
In today’s market, sustainable certification for textiles is more than just a trend—it’s a necessity. Certifications like GRS ensure that products are made in an environmentally and socially responsible way, appealing to both businesses and consumers seeking sustainability.
⫸ Importance of Sustainable Certification:
- Consumer Demand: Increasingly, consumers want assurance that the products they buy are made sustainably.
- Environmental Impact: Promotes reduced waste, lower carbon footprints, and responsible sourcing of materials.
- Business Reputation: Certification provides companies with an edge in the competitive textile market, especially with sustainability-conscious buyers.
⫸ Legal4sure Process to get GRS Audit Certification
- Client Consultation
- Gap Analysis
- Documentation Preparation
- Process Implementation Support
- Internal Audit Assistance
- Application Submission Guidance
- Audit Support
- Non-Conformity Resolution
- Certification Achievement Support
⫸ Why Choose Legal4sure for GOTS Certification?
Our experience and expertise make us stand at the forefront of the industry. At Legal4sure, our team is dedicated to working for our clients to achieve GRS Audit Certification and improve their overall production processes. We have a team of highly experienced auditors with broad insights into the textile industry and regulatory requirements.
We have worked with several big clients, such as Raymond Limited, Fabindia, Grasim Industries, etc. We have served more than 400+ happy clients in the textiles industry and have over many successful certifications, we provide game-changing certification services to our clients.
Ready to get started? Contact us today at +91 9310655040 to learn how we can help you achieve GRS Audit Certification and boost your business’s sustainability credentials.