In 2025, against the backdrop of the global carbon neutrality trend and the full implementation of the EU's "carbon tariff" policy, the green supply chain upgrade of Chinese textile enterprises has entered a critical stage. The latest data shows that by the first half of 2025, the number of Chinese textile enterprises certified by RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) has increased by 42% compared with the same period last year. This internationally recognized certification system for recycled materials is becoming an "invisible entry ticket" for export-oriented enterprises to secure orders.

"Without RCS certification, you don't even have the qualification to quote," disclosed the head of a fabric manufacturer in Zhejiang. Fast fashion brands such as H&M and Zara have already incorporated RCS certification into their core supplier assessment system for 2025. According to statistics from the international procurement platform QIMA, the proportion of textile buyers demanding certification for recycled materials has increased by 35% in 2025 compared to 2023. Among them, RCS, with a relatively low threshold (recycled material content ≥ 5%), has become the top choice for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This demand directly boosts the certification service market. The head of SGS China's textile certification department stated, "In 2025, the number of inquiries from small and medium-sized enterprises increased by 50% year-on-year. We have specially launched the 'Green Factory Pre-assessment' service to help enterprises avoid non-conformities in advance." It is worth noting that the industrial clusters in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions have formed a "certification demonstration effect", and some industrial parks offer subsidies of up to 50,000 yuan per certificate to enterprises that pass the certification.

The differences between RCS and GRS certifications are significant, and enterprises need to make precise choices. Facing the two mainstream standards for recycled material certification, enterprises should make precise plans based on their market positioning. The Textile Exchange's "2025 Sustainable Materials Trends Report" points out:

- The RCS certification is more suitable for domestic sales transformation or primary processing enterprises. With a 5% recycled material threshold and a simplified audit process, the certification cost can be controlled within 15,000 to 25,000 yuan.

- The GRS certification is listed as a mandatory standard by brands such as Apple and Nike. With a 20% recycled content requirement and environmental and social responsibility audits, it better meets the needs of high-end manufacturing.

We suggest that OEM enterprises prioritize obtaining RCS certification, while brand owners should strive for GRS certification. An expert from the China National Textile and Apparel Council emphasized that the two can form a gradient upgrade path. The financial report of a listed clothing enterprise shows that the gross profit margin of its recycled products certified by GRS is 12 percentage points higher than that of regular products.

The full-chain traceability has become the core difficulty for RCS certification in 2025. A company in Suzhou has invested 1.2 million yuan to establish a blockchain system, which has put all the processes from the transportation of recycled PET flakes to the melt spinning on the chain. "Wal-Mart will randomly check our raw material purchase invoices and energy consumption data," said the quality director of the company.

The new regulations of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in 2025, "Regulatory Conditions for the Regenerated Fiber Industry", clearly require the crackdown on "pseudo-regenerated", which means that the simple "branding certification" model will become ineffective. Enterprises need to systematically transform their production processes, such as establishing a material balance sheet (matching data throughout the entire chain from procurement to production, inventory, and sales).

Driven by both policy and market forces, certified enterprises enjoy significant export advantages. Data from the General Administration of Customs for the first half of 2025 shows that the export value of textile and apparel products using RCS/GRS certified recycled materials increased by 25% year-on-year, significantly higher than the industry average. Research by Alibaba International Station indicates that the conversion rate of product pages with RCS labels has increased by 45%.

This is not only a requirement for environmental compliance, but also the core fulcrum for product premium. Experts from Donghua University pointed out that before 2026, enterprises without certification may be squeezed out of the mainstream supply chain.

Driven by both policy and consumer demand, RCS certification has shifted from being "optional" to "mandatory". Enterprises need to act promptly to position themselves in the global green market by leveraging this certification.