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RC-SCS refers to the SCS Certification Standard for Recycled Content, also known as SCS-103. Published by SCS Standards, the current Version 8.0 was released in May 2024. First introduced in 1989, it is one of the longest-established third-party recycled-content certifications in the world. This guide walks you through the certification process step by step, based entirely on the requirements set out in SCS-103 Version 8.0.
SCS-103 is primarily a chain-of-custody standard. It lets companies quantify and verify the recycled content of their products and materials using either a physical segregation model or a mass balance model. If your business handles recycled plastic, metal, fiber, glass, or other recovered materials, RC-SCS gives you a credible, audited claim you can take to market.
Who Needs RC-SCS Certification?
RC-SCS applies to products and materials that contain mechanically and/or chemically recycled content, including both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled material of any type. The following entities that take physical possession or legal ownership of recycled products or materials fall within scope:
- Material recyclers
- Processors
- Manufacturers
- Traders and distributors acting for the purpose of private labels or re-branding
The standard is not applicable to material collectors and sorters. Brokers and transportation companies are in scope only if they take ownership of the recycled material. Electrical and electronic equipment can additionally and optionally be certified against Annex A (Supplemental Criteria for Electrical and Electronic Equipment).
RC-SCS certification helps suppliers meet the recycled-content documentation demands of brands, retailers, and regulators, and supports environmental marketing claims that comply with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Green Guides and equivalent national guidelines.
RC-SCS Certification Requirements at a Glance
To achieve and maintain RC-SCS certification, a client must meet three pillars of the standard: management system documentation (Section 6), a chain-of-custody model (Section 7 or 8), and claims and labelling rules (Section 9). The table below summarizes the core requirements.
| Requirement | What SCS-103 Requires | Standard Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum recycled content | At least 5% recycled content (physical segregation) or 5% allocated recycled content (mass balance) | Section 7.1.1 / 8.1.1 |
| Chain-of-custody model | Physical segregation and/or mass balance, covering all inputs and outputs | Section 7 / 8 |
| Traceability procedure | Documented procedure showing how recycled material is tracked and chain of custody maintained | Section 6.1 |
| Bill of materials (BOM) | Component type, supplier (recycled only), classification, dry weight, and recycled-content weight | Section 6.2 |
| Supplier verification | Signed supplier affidavit or valid sustainability declaration for at least 95% of eligible recycled material by dry weight | Section 6.3 |
| Records retention | Maintain current and past supplier records for a minimum of 7 years | Section 6.4 |
| Claims and labelling | All claims and label use reviewed and approved by the certification body before use | Section 9.1 |
RC-SCS Certification Process: Step by Step
The pathway below reflects the conformity pathway defined in SCS-103. Certification is carried out by an SCS Standards-approved certification body following the SCS-103 Certification Body Requirements.
Step 1: Confirm Applicability and Define Scope
Confirm that your product or material contains mechanically and/or chemically recycled content and that your entity takes physical possession or legal ownership of it. Define the product categories, sites, and material flows that will fall under the certificate. Electrical and electronic products may elect certification against Annex A.
Step 2: Choose Your Chain-of-Custody Model
Decide between the two models permitted by SCS-103. Physical segregation keeps recycled and virgin materials physically separate through all operations. Mass balance allows mixing within a defined system boundary, with recycled content allocated through a credit system. Both require a minimum of 5% recycled content. Many operations choose physical segregation for simple product lines and mass balance where mixing is unavoidable.
Step 3: Select an SCS Standards-Approved Certification Body
RC-SCS audits must be performed by an SCS Standards-approved certification body. The certification body will apply the SCS-103 Certification Body Requirements, and it is the body that issues your certificate, approves your claims, and handles appeals and complaints.
Step 4: Build Your Management System Documentation
Prepare the documentation required by Section 6 before the audit:
- A traceability procedure specific to your chosen chain-of-custody model.
- A bill of materials detailing each component, its supplier (for recycled inputs), classification, dry weight, and recycled-content weight.
- A supplier verification procedure, with signed supplier affidavits or valid sustainability declarations covering at least 95% of eligible recycled material by dry weight.
- Supplier records (invoices, bills of lading, delivery receipts, affidavits) and certification records retained for at least 7 years.
Step 5: Undergo the RC-SCS Audit
The certification body conducts a third-party audit that includes review of documents and records (procedures, BOM, conversion factors), interviews, and observations. For mass balance operations, the certification body calculates the conversion factor at each audit to confirm you hold enough recycled material to support your claimed content. Supplier sources may be qualified through an onsite or remote audit.
Step 6: Certification Decision and Certificate Issuance
Following a successful audit, the certification body issues your RC-SCS certificate and certification label. If you disagree with the certification decision, you have the right to appeal within 30 days of receiving the final report. Complaints are handled first by the certification body and may be elevated to SCS Standards if unresolved.
Step 7: Claims and Label Approval
Before you use any claim or certification label in marketing, it must be reviewed and approved by the certification body and conform to the body's labelling and language requirements and to the FTC (or national) guidelines. Every claim must state the claim option (Minimum, Total, Average, Weighted Average, or Made With) and the chain-of-custody model used.
Step 8: Maintain Certification Through Surveillance and Reconciliation
Maintain conformance through ongoing surveillance audits by the certification body. Mass balance clients must reconcile their credit accounts at least every 3 months (an extension up to 12 months may be approved based on production schedule). Conversion factors are recalculated at each audit, and unused credits remain valid while your certification stays active.
What to Expect at the RC-SCS Audit
The audit is a verification of your records and operations against SCS-103. Prepare to demonstrate:
- Traceability — a clear diagram or description of how recycled material moves and is controlled through your process.
- Recycled-content calculation — a complete bill of materials and the conversion factor linking inputs to outputs.
- Supplier evidence — affidavits or sustainability declarations covering at least 95% of recycled material by dry weight, plus 7 years of supporting records.
- Claims readiness — draft claim language for the certification body to review before any public use.
If your operation is already certified to a recognized standard, you may be able to leverage data collected under it. SCS-103 recognizes BCI, FSC, ISCC, REDcert2, RSB Advanced Products, and the Textile Exchange Recycled Claim Standard as supporting conformance.
Timeline, Validity, and Cost Considerations
SCS-103 defines the requirements for certification but does not set a fixed duration, certificate validity period, or fee schedule — those are determined by your chosen certification body under the SCS-103 Certification Body Requirements. In practice, the timeline depends on the complexity of your supply chain, how prepared your documentation is, and the certification body's schedule. Engaging an experienced consultant and preparing your management system documentation early is the most reliable way to shorten the path to certificate.
What the standard does fix are the appeal window (30 days) and the records-retention minimum (7 years), so build those into your compliance calendar from day one.
Common Preparation Challenges
- Supplier affidavits below 95% — start collecting signed affidavits or valid sustainability declarations early; certification bodies may contact suppliers directly to confirm.
- Incomplete bills of materials — every recycled component needs supplier, classification, dry weight, and recycled-content weight.
- Mass balance bookkeeping — if using mass balance, stand up a credit ledger reconciled at least quarterly before the audit.
- Claim language — draft claims referencing both the claim option and the chain-of-custody model, and get approval before publishing.
FAQ: RC-SCS Certification Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions about RC-SCS (SCS Recycled Content) certification, optimized to capture "People Also Ask" sections in search results.
Q: What is RC-SCS certification?
A: RC-SCS is the SCS Certification Standard for Recycled Content, code SCS-103, published by SCS Standards. Version 8.0 was released in May 2024, building on a standard first introduced in 1989. It is a third-party, chain-of-custody certification that verifies the recycled content of a product or material, using either a physical segregation or mass balance model.
Q: Who is eligible for RC-SCS certification?
A: Material recyclers, processors, manufacturers, and traders or distributors (for private labels or re-branding) that take physical possession or legal ownership of recycled products or materials are in scope. The standard covers products with mechanically or chemically recycled content, including pre-consumer and post-consumer material. It does not apply to material collectors and sorters, and brokers or transporters are included only if they take ownership of the material.
Q: What is the minimum recycled content required?
A: A product must contain at least 5% recycled content under the physical segregation model, or at least 5% allocated recycled content in the final allocated product under the mass balance model, to be eligible for certification.
Q: What are the two chain-of-custody models?
A: Physical segregation keeps recycled and virgin materials physically separate through all operations. Mass balance allows mixing of materials within a defined system boundary, with recycled content tracked and allocated through a credit system. A client may use either or both, and both require a minimum of 5% recycled content.
Q: How long does RC-SCS certification take?
A: SCS-103 sets the requirements but does not define a fixed certification timeline, validity period, or fee — those are set by the approved certification body under the SCS-103 Certification Body Requirements. The duration depends on supply-chain complexity and how prepared your documentation is. The standard does fix a 30-day appeal window from receipt of the final audit report.
Q: Can RC-SCS be combined with other certifications?
A: Yes. To support conformance, a client may consult its certification body to leverage data from recognized third-party standards, including BCI, FSC, ISCC, REDcert2, RSB Advanced Products, and the Textile Exchange Recycled Claim Standard.
Conclusion
RC-SCS (SCS-103 Recycled Content Standard) gives recyclers, processors, manufacturers, and traders a credible, audited way to prove recycled content and make compliant environmental claims. The eight-step pathway — from scope and chain-of-custody model selection through audit, certificate, claims approval, and ongoing surveillance — is defined by the standard and delivered by an SCS Standards-approved certification body.
Preparing your traceability procedure, bill of materials, and supplier affidavits early is the single biggest factor in a smooth, fast certification. If you want hands-on support mapping your operation to SCS-103 requirements, our team can help.
Get a Free RC-SCS Certification Consultation
References
- SCS Standards. (2024). SCS Certification Standard for Recycled Content (SCS-103), Version 8.0 (May 2024). Retrieved from https://www.scsstandards.org/
- SCS Standards. (2024). SCS-103 Certification Body Requirements and SCS Standards Certification and Approval Requirements (normative references).
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