Against the backdrop of global environmental awareness and the intensification of resource crises, GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification has rapidly risen from a professional certification to the "gold standard" for sustainable development in various industries. This article will explore the core significance of GRS certification, analyze the multiple driving factors that have made it a mainstream trend, and look forward to future development prospects, providing a comprehensive perspective for companies to understand this important certification system.   GRS certification was originally developed by CU in 2008, and its ownership was transferred to Textile Exchange on January 1, 2011. Since the GRS4.0 version came into effect on July 1, 2017, the standard has been continuously improved, expanding from the initial needs of the textile industry to a wider range of industry applications. The fundamental purpose of GRS certification is to verify recycled products or certain specific products, so that retailers and consumers can clearly understand which parts of the product use recycled materials and how these materials are handled in the supply chain. The five core principles of GRS certification form the basis of its importance: 1. Recycled material content: Certified products must contain at least 20% recycled materials (more than 50% can use the GRS logo) 2. Traceability of the entire supply chain: Ensure that every link from raw materials to finished products is supervised through the TC (Transaction Certificate) trading certificate system 3. Environmental protection: Including the control of water and energy use, waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions 4. Social responsibility: Ensure safe and equal working conditions in the supply chain 5. Chemical restrictions: Strictly limit the use of hazardous chemicals in the production process   Four driving forces that promote GRS certification to become mainstream I. Dual pressure from international brands and policies and regulations Global well-known brands have set ambitious sustainable development goals and use GRS certification as a supply chain entry threshold. Adidas announced that all products will be made of recycled plastics by 2024; Zara promised to fully use recycled sustainable materials by 2025; H&M plans to achieve 100% recycled materials by 2030. The requirements of these brand giants directly prompted the entire supply chain upstream companies to actively apply for GRS certification. At the same time, the forced effect of policies and regulations is becoming increasingly significant. Regulations such as the EU Green New Deal and the US California Recycled Materials Act require companies to use recycled materials and make their supply chains transparent. GRS certification has become an effective tool for companies to circumvent trade barriers and meet compliance requirements. Some countries also provide tax incentives or subsidies to certified companies, further stimulating corporate actions. II. Consumers' environmental awareness and market premium ability Modern consumers' environmental awareness has undergone a fundamental change. Surveys show that 73% of consumers are willing to pay a higher price for sustainable products. The GRS label has become an intuitive proof of the environmental attributes of products, helping brands build consumer trust and achieve product premiums. For example, although the cost of clothing with GRS certification may increase by 15%-25%, there is significant room for market acceptance and price increase. This consumption trend is particularly evident in the European and American markets, and GRS certification has become a "passport" for products to enter the environmentally friendly consumer market. Chinese consumers' environmental awareness is also rapidly increasing, and more and more people are beginning to pay for the value of "green, environmentally friendly, renewable, and recyclable." III. Resource efficiency optimization and circular economy benefits GRS certification directly promotes the recycling and efficiency improvement of resources. Taking polyester, the most commonly used in the textile industry, as an example, the use of recycled polyester can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to the use of new polyester. From an economic perspective, the cost of recycled polyester is 20%-30% lower than that of virgin polyester. Enterprises can significantly optimize production costs through certification. The certification process also forces enterprises to innovate technology and management, upgrade production processes (such as wastewater treatment and energy recovery technology), and improve resource utilization efficiency. These improvements are not only in line with ESG (environment, society, and governance) investment trends, but also attract the attention and support of green capital   The significance of GRS certification for recycled products goes far beyond the "eco-label" itself. It is a strategic tool for enterprises to integrate into the global green supply chain and achieve sustainable development. Through certification, enterprises not only gain market access and brand premium, but also set benchmarks in resource recycling, technological innovation and social responsibility, and provide practical examples for the global low-carbon economic transformation. In the future, as environmental protection policies become stricter and consumer awareness increases, GRS certification will become an indispensable "pass" in the field of recycled materials.