“GRS Certified” shows up on activewear tags more and more, but most shoppers have never had it explained in plain terms. Here’s what the Global Recycled Standard actually verifies, what it doesn’t cover, and how to tell a genuine claim from a vague one.

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Who created GRS, and what is it for

The Global Recycled Standard was developed by Textile Exchange, a non-profit focused on sustainability in the textile industry. Its purpose is narrow and specific: to verify that a product’s recycled content claim is actually true, and to track that recycled material through every stage of the supply chain, from raw input to finished garment.

What GRS actually verifies

A product needs a minimum of 20% verified recycled material to reference GRS at all. To carry the “GRS Certified” label specifically, that figure rises to at least 50% recycled content, backed by chain-of-custody documentation at every step. Beyond the recycled-content number, GRS also sets requirements for social and environmental practices during processing, plus restrictions on the chemicals used along the way.

What GRS does not verify

GRS is not a chemical-safety certification for the finished garment the way OEKO-TEX is, and it doesn’t require organic fiber content the way GOTS does. It’s specifically about recycled content and the chain that proves it — not a catch-all guarantee that a product is safe against your skin or free of synthetic fiber altogether. A product can be GRS certified and still be made from recycled synthetic material that sheds microplastics in the wash, for example.

How to check if a claim is real

• Look for an exact recycled-content percentage (“73% recycled polyester”), not a vague phrase like “eco fabric”
• Check whether the brand can point to a specific certifying body, not just a self-designed green logo
• Remember that 20–50% recycled content can reference GRS but cannot use the GRS Certified label — so read the fine print if a brand’s wording is ambiguous

Where Njálla fits in

Our leggings, tops, and sports bras are made from roughly 73% recycled polyester and spandex — a number we list exactly rather than lean on a vague sustainability claim, because a percentage you can check is worth more than a phrase you can’t. You can read more about how that recycled fiber is actually made in our guide to turning plastic waste into wearable art, or see how recycled polyester compares to virgin polyester in our fiber-by-fiber breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GRS the same as GOTS?

No. GRS verifies recycled content and tracks it through the supply chain; GOTS verifies organic fiber content and requires a minimum percentage of certified organic material. A product can carry one, both, or neither, depending on what it’s actually made from.

What percentage of recycled content does a product need for the GRS Certified label?

At least 50% verified recycled material, with full chain-of-custody documentation. Products with 20–50% recycled content can reference GRS in their materials but can’t use the GRS Certified label itself.

Does GRS certification mean a product is chemical-safe?

Not directly — GRS does restrict some chemicals used in processing, but a dedicated chemical-safety certification like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the finished product itself for a much broader range of substances.

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