Understanding Textile Exchange’s New Certification Framework
Preparing for the Materials Matter Transition
Is your organization ready for Materials Matter?
Textile Exchange is introducing a new certification framework that will progressively replace GRS, RCS, RWS, RMS and RAS.
For brands, manufacturers, traders, recyclers and raw material producers, the transition may affect certification, traceability, supplier engagement, sustainability claims and product labelling.
Understanding the changes today can help your organization prepare for tomorrow.
Why this matters
Materials Matter is more than a certification transition. It introduces a new approach to traceability, claims substantiation and supply chain transparency that may affect organizations across the entire value chain. The transition may impact >>
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Product claims
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Product labels
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Supplier requirements
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Traceability systems
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Human rights expectations
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Sustainability communications
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Certification planning
What is Materials Matter?
Materials Matter is Textile Exchange’s new sustainability certification framework for raw material production and primary processing.
The framework brings together several existing standards into a more harmonised system designed to strengthen:
- Human rights and livelihoods
- Environmental management
- Animal welfare
- Traceability
- Data integrity
- Sustainability claims
The objective is to simplify the certification architecture while increasing transparency and credibility across supply chains.
Which standards are affected?
The following standards will transition into Materials Matter:
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Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
Explore the GRS certification program page
GRS – Global Recycled Standard -
Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)
Explore the RCS certification program page
RCS – Recycled Claim Standard -
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
Explore the RWS certification program page
RWS – Responsible Wool Standard -
Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS)
Explore the RMS certification program page
RMS – Responsible Mohair Standard -
Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS)
Explore the RAS certification program page
RAS – Responsible Alpaca Standard
The following standards remain separate:
- Organic Content Standard (OCS)
- Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
For these Standards are remaining no-changed Standards.
Please ask us any further details.
For RCS
RCS-certified materials are not eligible inputs for Materials Matter certified products. Organizations currently relying on RCS should begin reviewing inventory, sourcing strategies and future certification plans.
Why is Textile Exchange introducing Materials Matter?
As expectations around supply chain transparency, sustainability claims and traceability continue to increase, Textile Exchange is evolving its standards system to provide a more consistent framework across different materials.
Materials Matter aims to:
- Reduce complexity
- Strengthen sustainability requirements
- Improve traceability
- Increase confidence in claims
- Support better supply chain visibility
The transition is closely linked to Textile Exchange’s Climate+ strategy and reflects growing expectations around responsible sourcing, transparency and data integrity.
Key transition dates
In practice, the most important preparation activities often involve supplier engagement, traceability systems and claims management long before certification becomes mandatory.
Who is affected?
| Role | Primary Impact Areas |
| Brands | Claims, labels, supplier readiness |
| Manufacturers | Chain of custody, traceability |
| Traders | Transaction management, TE-IDs |
| Recyclers | Environmental management, traceability |
| Farms | Animal welfare, land management, human rights |
Materials Matter affects more than certification.
It also affects how organizations manage supply chains, communicate sustainability performance and substantiate claims.
Preparing for the Materials Matter Transition
A Practical Guide for GRS, RCS, RWS, RMS and RAS Certified Companies. This guide provides: ✓ 30+ pages of practical guidance ✓ Materials Matter transition timeline ✓ Key changes and business impacts ✓ Claims and labelling implications ✓ Materials Matter readiness checklist ✓ Supplier engagement framework ✓ Questions to ask suppliers ✓ Questions to ask your certification body ✓ Business risks and opportunities
Materials Matter guide is ready to download
Materials Matter guide