Our certifications and standards
A clear overview of what we hold, what our factories hold, and how we verify the recycled content of every product we make.
The certifications of Waste2Wear
Below is a clear overview of what Waste2Wear holds directly, what our factory partners hold independently, and how we verify the recycled content of every product we make.
RA3 — Recycling Assurance 3-Step Test
RA3 is Waste2Wear's own patent-pending method for verifying the exact recycled content of a product. Unlike broader certification standards that confirm a range or category, RA3 gives you a precise percentage for every product we test. The methodology has been independently validated by Wessling, a German testing and certification institute, and independent testing by Wessling is available on request.
GRS — Global Recycled Standard
Waste2Wear is certified to the Global Recycled Standard, an international standard that verifies the recycled content of a product and tracks that content through the supply chain. GRS certification covers our full production process.
The certifications of our factories
All of the factories we work with are certified to the following standards. These certifications are held by the factories themselves, not by Waste2Wear, and are independently verified on an ongoing basis.
BSCI — Business Social Compliance Initiative
GOTS — Global Organic Textile Standard
RDS — Responsible Down Standard
Frequently asked questions
What certifications does Waste2Wear hold at company level?
At company level, we hold GRS, the Global Recycled Standard, which certifies recycled content through our supply chain. Alongside GRS, we also apply RA3, our own in-house testing method, to verify the exact recycled-content percentage of rPET products, though RA3 is a proprietary method rather than a third-party certification.
What certifications do your factories hold?
Our factories hold BSCI, GOTS and RDS. These sit at factory level rather than company level, because they cover the conditions and practices at the specific facility where a product is made, from social compliance to organic textile handling to responsible down sourcing.
What is the difference between GRS and RA3?
GRS is a recognised, third-party standard that certifies recycled content as it moves through our supply chain, and it is something we hold at company level. RA3 is our own in-house method that goes further for rPET specifically, returning an exact recycled-content percentage for a given product rather than a certification of process. Together they give you both an established external standard and a precise product-level figure.
What does GRS certify?
GRS certifies recycled content and responsible production practices as material moves through the supply chain, covering everything from input verification to ongoing supply chain checks at the company level. It is one of the most widely recognised standards in the industry, which is why buyers often ask for it specifically.
What do BSCI, GOTS and RDS each cover?
BSCI covers social compliance and working conditions at the factory. GOTS covers organic textile handling and processing standards. RDS, the Responsible Down Standard, covers responsible sourcing of down and feather materials where relevant. Each is audited independently and applies to the specific facility rather than to Waste2Wear as a company.
Are the factory certifications independently audited?
Yes, BSCI, GOTS and RDS are all independently audited on an ongoing basis rather than certified once and left unchecked. That ongoing audit cycle is what keeps the certifications meaningful over the life of a factory relationship, not just at the point a facility first qualifies.
Is third-party verification of recycled content available?
Yes, beyond our standard RA3 testing, we can arrange independent, product-level verification through Wessling on request. This is not part of our standard process, but it is available for brands who need an additional layer of third-party assurance for a specific order or audit.
Which certifications apply to a specific product I order?
That depends on the material and the factory that made it. An rPET product will typically carry GRS at company level and an RA3 result specific to that product, while the factory certifications that apply, whether BSCI, GOTS or RDS, depend on which facility produced it. We can confirm the exact certification stack for any order before you place it.
How do these certifications help with EU compliance?
As EU rules around recycled content, environmental claims and product data tighten, having documented, independently audited certifications behind a product gives you evidence to support compliance rather than a claim you have to defend on your own. GRS and the factory-level certifications, combined with RA3's product-specific figures, are designed to hold up under that kind of scrutiny.