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SRCCS and GRS are both voluntary, third-party international standards that help brands and manufacturers substantiate sustainable material claims. They are often mentioned together, but they certify different things. The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) verifies recycled content of any material, while the Sustainable Regenerated Cellulosics Content Standard (SRCCS) verifies sustainable regenerated cellulosic fiber content. This comparison explains the scope, thresholds, and requirements of each so you can choose the right standard - or run both.
Neither standard is a carbon or greenhouse-gas certification. Both are material "content" standards focused on responsible sourcing and processing, not carbon footprints. The comparison below is built strictly on the published SRCCS Standard V3.1 and GRS 4.0 requirements.
What is the SRCCS Standard?
The Sustainable Regenerated Cellulosics Content Standard (SRCCS) is a voluntary global product standard (version V3.1) presented by Control Union Certifications. It was formerly recognized as the Sustainable Viscose Chain of Custody Standard (SVCOC) and was initially crafted by Control Union Certifications in 2020. The standard is based on ISO/IEC 17065, ISO/IEC Directives, and the ISEAL Code of Good Practice.
SRCCS applies to regenerated cellulosic fibers and the products made from them, including viscose, modal, lyocell, acetate, triacetate, and cupro. It certifies the sustainable content of these fibers across the supply chain. Organizations that use Annex 1 approved inputs - the first processor, manufacturing entities, packaging and labeling units, storage, trading, and the final business-to-business seller - are certified under the chain of custody. Fiber and filament manufacturing facilities are verified separately under Annex 2 and are not part of the chain-of-custody system itself.
To certify, a product must contain at least 5% sustainable material content. There are two label classes: an SRCCS product has 95-100% certified content, while an SRCCS Mix product has 5-94% certified content.
What is the GRS Standard?
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is owned and managed by Textile Exchange. It was originally developed by Control Union Certifications in 2008 and ownership was transferred to Textile Exchange on January 1, 2011. GRS 4.0 is the current version and became effective on July 1, 2017, replacing GRS 3.0.
GRS is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. It applies to any product that contains at least 20% recycled content, and only products with at least 50% recycled content qualify for product-specific GRS labeling. GRS uses the ISO 14021 definition of recycled content and tracks material from the recycling stage through to the last business-to-business seller.
SRCCS vs GRS at a Glance
| Aspect | SRCCS | GRS |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sustainable Regenerated Cellulosics Content Standard | Global Recycled Standard |
| Owner | Control Union Certifications | Textile Exchange |
| Material focus | Regenerated cellulosic fibers (viscose, modal, lyocell, acetate, triacetate, cupro) | Any recycled material (pre-consumer and post-consumer) |
| Minimum content to certify | 5% sustainable cellulosic content | 20% recycled content |
| Label tiers | SRCCS (95-100%), SRCCS Mix (5-94%) | GRS product label at 50% or more recycled content |
| Chain of custody | Scope Certificate and Transaction Certificate | Scope Certificate and Transaction Certificate (per Content Claim Standard) |
| Certification boundary | All supply-chain organizations using Annex 1 inputs; fiber producers verified separately (Annex 2) | Each stage from recycling to last B2B seller; collectors and concentrators optional |
| Social requirements | Accepted equivalents: SA8000, SLCP, GRS, GOTS | Based on the Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP) |
| Environmental requirements | Accepted equivalents: ISO 14001, Higgs FEM, GRS, GOTS | Full EMS plus detailed wastewater limits (ZDHC Foundational Level) |
| Chemical restrictions | GOTS letter of approval, ZDHC Level 1 conformance, Bluesign, or Eco passport by OEKO-TEX | ZDHC MRSL and REACH SVHC (Annex XIV) |
| Recognition basis | ISO/IEC 17065 | ISO 14021 (recycled content) |
Key Differences Explained
Material scope. GRS is material-agnostic: it certifies recycled content from any source, including recycled polyester, cotton, nylon, or wool. SRCCS is fiber-specific, covering only regenerated cellulosic fibers and the products made from them.
Threshold philosophy. GRS sets a 20% floor to certify at all and a 50% floor for product-specific labeling. SRCCS sets a lower 5% floor and splits certified products into two tiers (SRCCS at 95-100%, SRCCS Mix at 5-94%).
Content definition. GRS defines recycled content using ISO 14021, meaning material reclaimed from the waste stream. SRCCS defines sustainable regenerated cellulosic content verified under Annex 1, which can include responsibly sourced virgin pulp inputs and is not limited to reclaimed waste.
Audit acceptance. SRCCS leans on existing equivalent audits for its social and environmental modules, while GRS defines its own full social (GSCP-based) and environmental requirements, including specific wastewater limit values.
Can a Product Carry Both Standards?
Yes. A garment made with recycled polyester and lyocell can carry both GRS (for the recycled polyester) and SRCCS (for the lyocell content), provided each standard's requirements are met. The two standards address different content claims and do not conflict. Many brands operate both certifications in parallel across a blended material portfolio.
Which Standard Should You Choose?
Choose GRS if your product contains recycled material of any type and you need broad, widely recognized recycled-content certification and consumer-facing labeling.
Choose SRCCS if you produce or use regenerated cellulosic fibers and want to evidence the sustainable sourcing of those specific fibers, with a lower content threshold and recognition of existing audit reports.
Choose both if your products blend recycled and regenerated cellulosic materials, since each standard covers a distinct content claim.
FAQ: SRCCS vs GRS Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions about SRCCS and GRS. These questions are optimized to capture "People Also Ask" sections in Google search results.
Q: Is SRCCS the same as GRS?
A: No. SRCCS certifies sustainable regenerated cellulosic fiber content, while GRS certifies recycled content of any material. They have different owners, material scopes, and minimum content thresholds, and are managed under separate certification systems.
Q: What is the minimum content required for each standard?
A: SRCCS requires at least 5% sustainable cellulosic content. GRS applies to products with at least 20% recycled content, and product-specific GRS labeling requires at least 50% recycled content.
Q: Who owns SRCCS and GRS?
A: SRCCS is owned and managed by Control Union Certifications. GRS is owned and managed by Textile Exchange; it was originally developed by Control Union Certifications in 2008 and transferred to Textile Exchange on January 1, 2011.
Q: Can one product be certified to both SRCCS and GRS?
A: Yes. The standards cover different content claims, so a product that combines recycled and regenerated cellulosic materials can carry both certifications as long as each standard's requirements are met.
Q: How long does certification take?
A: Neither standard fixes a set certification duration in its published requirements. The timeline depends on supply-chain readiness and the chosen certification body. Confirm the schedule, fees, and audit plan directly with your certifier.
Q: Do SRCCS or GRS certify carbon or greenhouse-gas claims?
A: No. Neither SRCCS nor GRS is a carbon or greenhouse-gas certification. Both are material content standards that verify sustainable sourcing and responsible processing, not carbon footprints or emissions.
Conclusion
SRCCS and GRS are complementary content standards rather than direct competitors. GRS is the broad choice for recycled content of any material, while SRCCS is the focused choice for sustainable regenerated cellulosic fibers. Understanding the material scope, minimum thresholds, and audit requirements of each helps you build the right certification portfolio for your products and customers.
Need help deciding which standard fits your supply chain, or support with the certification process? Contact our experts for tailored guidance.
References
- Sustainable Regenerated Cellulosics Content Standard (SRCCS) Standard V3.1, Control Union Certifications.
- Global Recycled Standard (GRS) 4.0, Textile Exchange.
- GRS Certification Procedures 4.0, Textile Exchange.
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