Textile Exchange certification

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit organisation driving positive impacts on climate and nature across the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. Its goal is to help the industry to achieve a 45% reduction in the emissions that come from producing fibres and raw materials by 2030. To meet this goal, Textile Exchange has developed various standards and certifications.

Textile Exchange standards certification is a widely accepted voluntary certification scheme which gives the fashion and textile industry a way to authenticate their sustainability claims from raw material to final product. This includes standards such as Organic Content Standard (OCS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification.

In today's globalised and environmentally conscious world, sustainability certifications have gained significant importance for businesses across industries. Companies of all sizes are stepping up to partner on the pursuit of sustainability goals. Global brands are using their influence by making commitments and encouraging innovation in the use of sustainable materials throughout their value chain. Suppliers and manufacturers are looking to differentiate on the global trade market through independent certification of their materials and product sustainability claims.

However, the complexity of the supply chains makes it difficult to prove the use of sustainable materials to brands, consumers and other stakeholders. Therefore, companies are relying on widely accepted key schemes such as Textile Exchange standards and International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC).

TÜV SÜD is a licensed certification body by Textile Exchange and is accredited by the International Organisation for Accreditation Services (IOAS). View our accreditation here.

We boast a team of highly qualified sustainability experts who possess the skills and knowledge to apply sustainability concepts to your business. Our professionals have the knowledge and skills to provide reliable guidance tailored to your country and customers' jurisdictions.

Furthermore, we offer innovative strategies for the development of sustainable design, ensuring your organisation's commitment to eco-friendly practices is both robust and efficient.

With expertise spanning various industry sectors, TÜV SÜD is well-positioned to support your certification journey, helping you navigate the complex process and achieve successful certification.

As a comprehensive provider for social, environmental, and chemical management audits, TÜV SÜD streamlines the certification process, allowing you to focus on maintaining and enhancing your organisation's sustainable practices while building trust with consumers and partners.

TÜV SÜD is authorised under the following Textile Exchange standards.

Content Claim Standard (CCS)
The foundation of all Textile Exchange standards. It’s a chain of custody standard that gives companies a means of verifying that one or more raw material inputs are in the final product.

 

Recycled claim standard (RCS)
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.

 

Global recycled standard (GRS)
Sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, and chain of custody. Compared to RCS, GRS includes a higher (50%) minimum recycled content percentage and additional social and environmental requirements related to processing and chemical use. The goal of GRS certification is to increase the use of recycled materials in products and reduce/eliminate the harm caused by its production.

 

Organic content standard (OCS)
Sets the criteria for third-party certification of organic materials and chain of custody. The goal of the OCS is to increase organic agriculture production.

 

Responsible down standard (RDS)
Incentivises the down and feather industry to treat ducks and geese more humanely and rewards organisations leading the way. The standard also gives companies and consumers a way to know more about the origin of materials in the products they buy. RDS aims to improve the welfare of ducks and geese used for down.

 

Responsible wool standard (RWS)
Requires all sites, from wool farms to the seller in the final business-to-business transaction, to be certified. RWS farmers and ranchers are evaluated against animal welfare, land management, and social requirements set in the standard. RWS aims to improve the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on.

 

Responsible mohair standard (RMS)
Requires all sites, from farms through to the seller in the final business-to-business transaction, to be certified. Evaluates RMS farmers and ranchers against animal welfare, land management, and social requirements set in the standard. RMS aims to improve the welfare of goats and the land they graze on.

 

Responsible alpaca standard (RAS)
Requires all sites, from alpaca farms through to the seller in the final business-to-business transaction, to be certified. Evaluates RAS farmers and ranchers against animal welfare, land management, and social requirements set in the standard. RAS aims to improve the welfare of alpacas and the ecosystems in which they are raised.