Recycled Claim Standard

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is an international, voluntary standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled input and chain of custody. The goal of the RCS is to increase the use of Recycled materials. The objectives of the RCS are: 

• Alignment of Recycled definitions across multiple applications. 

• Track and trace Recycled input materials. 

• Provide consumers (both brands and end consumers) with a tool to make informed decisions.

• Provide assurance that materials are actually Recycled and in a final product.The Recycled Claim Standard is intended for use with any product that contains at least 5% Recycled Material. 

Each stage of production is required to be certified, beginning at the recycling stage and ending at the last seller in the final business-to-business transaction. Material Collection and Material Concentration sites are subject to self-declaration, document collection, and on-site visits. The RCS does not address social or environmental aspects of processing and manufacturing, quality, or legal compliance. The RCS uses the ISO 14021 definition of Recycled Content, with interpretations based on the US Federal Trade Commission Green Guides; the intention is to comply with the most widely recognized and stringent definitions. This is a voluntary standard that is not intended to replace the legal or regulatory requirements of any country. It is the responsibility of each operation to demonstrate compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to marketing, labor, and business practices. Sellers of RCS products are advised to reference the allowed Recycled Content claims in the countries of sale, to ensure that they are meeting all legal product claim requirements.