What is RCS?
- RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) is an international, voluntary standard introduced in 2007 by Textile Exchange (formerly Textile/Organic Exchange). Version 2.0 has been effective since 1 July 2017.
- RCS is used as a Chain of Custody standard to track recycled raw materials throughout the supply chain.
- RCS applies the Chain of Custody requirements defined in the Content Claim Standard (CCS).
- RCS verifies the presence and amount of recycled material in a finished product through input verification and Chain of Custody tracking.
- RCS can be used as a business tool, enabling companies to ensure that the products they sell meet declared specifications and that customers receive what they pay for. The standard also supports accurate and transparent communication with consumers regarding recycled content.
- RCS does not address social or environmental aspects of processing and manufacturing, product quality, or legal compliance.
- The Recycled Claim Standard is designed for use with any product containing at least 5% recycled material. Every stage of production must be certified, starting from the recycling stage and ending with the final seller in the last business-to-business transaction. Material collection and aggregation sites may be self-declared, subject to document review and on-site visits.
Objectives of the RCS
- To ensure consistent application of recycled material definitions across multiple uses and industries;
- To track and trace recycled input materials throughout the supply chain;
- To provide brands and end consumers with a reliable tool to make informed purchasing decisions;
- To ensure that materials are genuinely recycled and incorporated into the final product.
Which Enterprises / Organizations Should Apply RCS
The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is designed to apply to any product containing at least 5% recycled material. Organizations and enterprises involved in the application of this standard include manufacturers, recyclers, certification bodies, and consulting–training organizations. Specifically, RCS applies to the following sectors:
Apparel, garments, and textile products; Home textiles; Fabrics; Yarns; Metals; Plastics; Paper.
Benefits of RCS Certification
- Increases the use of recycled materials in products.
- Promotes sustainable consumption practices.
- Establishes production models that reduce natural resource consumption.
- Saves raw materials, water, and energy throughout the manufacturing process.
- Minimizes the negative impacts of production on people and the environment, contributing positively to overall sustainable development.
- Reduces production costs and enhances business profitability.
- Provides a reliable tool to verify and communicate sustainability claims related to products.
- Establishes an effective product traceability system.
- Ensures transparency and clarity in commercial transactions.
- Enables certification under the RCS scheme and the authorized use of the RCS label upon successful completion of the certification audit.
- Facilitates export activities to international markets.
- Enhances trust and credibility with customers and business partners, creating new growth and development opportunities.
RCS certification provides two product labels:
- Organizations certified under RCS may label finished products with the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) logo, declaring the percentage of recycled content contained in the product.
- RCS 100 (Recycled 100) label: Confirms that the product contains 95–100% recycled content, with no non-certified material of the same type included.
- RCS BLENDED (Recycled Blended) label: Confirms that the product contains 5–95% recycled content, with no additional restrictions on the remaining material content.
Sample RCS Certificate
The RCS certificate is valid for one (1) year.
Sample RCS Certificate
Required Documented Information under RCS
- Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) Manual.
- Organizational chart and defined responsibilities related to recycled materials.
- Facility layout plan clearly indicating areas for storage of RCS raw materials and RCS products.
- Procedure for identification, control, and traceability of recycled materials/products.
- Procedure for controlling inbound and outbound recycled materials/products.
- Corrective and preventive action procedure related to recycled materials/products.
- Training and awareness procedure for recycled materials/products.
- Procedure for control and evaluation of recycled material suppliers.
- Purchasing and sales procedure for recycled materials/products.
- Production control procedure for recycled materials/products.
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Required Records under RCS
- Enterprise/Business Registration Certificate.
- RCS system control plan.
- RCS policy.
- RCS training records.
- Job descriptions related to RCS product manufacturing.
- Work instructions for production processes.
- Supplier evaluation and assessment reports.
- Scope certificates of raw material suppliers.
- Input documentation for RCS materials (e.g. invoices, transaction certificates).
- Raw material purchasing records.
- Inbound, outbound, and inventory records.
- RCS production records.
- List of production orders within the most recent 12 months.
- Trial traceability records for at least one-third (1/3) of RCS products.
- Other relevant records as required by the certification body.
Reasons to Choose RCS Consulting & Training Services at Napha
✔️ Napha is a professional consulting and training organization with extensive experience in providing consulting and training services, supporting enterprises in building, implementing, and successfully achieving Vietnamese and international standard certifications in an effective and sustainable manner.
✔️ By choosing Napha’s RCS consulting and training services, clients receive high-quality solutions delivered by a dedicated and highly experienced team of staff and experts, with continuous capability development and up-to-date professional approaches.
✔️ Professional consulting and training services provided by experienced experts with clear guidance and hands-on support.
✔️ Strong customer understanding, with commitments to effectiveness and strict compliance with clients’ required timelines.
✔️ Free provision of standard sample documentation (manuals, procedures, guidelines, etc.).
✔️ Reasonable costs with flexible and secure payment terms aligned with the enterprise’s objectives.
✔️ Flexible consulting and training schedules tailored to the enterprise’s production and business operations.
✔️ A wide range of consulting and training service packages designed to meet different enterprise needs and requirements.
✔️ Commitment to a 100% certification success rate.
✔️ Cooperation with the most reputable RCS certification bodies to ensure certificates are recognized at both national and international levels.
CONTACT FOR FREE CONSULTING VIA HOTLINE: 0938.161.564
NAPHA CONSULTING CO., LTD
Địa chỉ: 3 Floor, An Phu Plaza, 117 - 119 Ly Chinh Thang Street, District 3, HCMC
Email: tuvannapha@gmail.com
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