GRS vs OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100: What Is the Difference?

GRS and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 are not competing versions of the same certification. They answer different questions about a textile product.

In simple terms, the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) focuses on recycled material claims, chain of custody and additional processing requirements. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 focuses on testing textiles for harmful substances.

What does GRS certify?

The Global Recycled Standard is owned by Textile Exchange. According to Textile Exchange, GRS verifies and tracks recycled raw materials through the supply chain and includes social, environmental and chemical-processing requirements.

That means GRS is useful when the question is: Is the recycled-material claim being verified and tracked through the supply chain?

What does OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certify?

According to OEKO-TEX, STANDARD 100 is a label for textiles tested for harmful substances. The testing framework covers components of the certified article and uses requirements that become stricter with more intensive skin contact.

That means STANDARD 100 is useful when the question is: Has this textile been tested against the standard's limits for harmful substances?

GRS vs OEKO-TEX: the difference at a glance

Question	GRS	OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
Focuses on recycled content	Yes	No
Uses chain-of-custody requirements	Yes	No
Tests textiles for harmful substances	Includes chemical-processing requirements	Yes, this is the core focus
Is a complete sustainability guarantee	No	No

Does OEKO-TEX mean a fabric is recycled?

No. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 does not certify that a textile contains recycled material. A product can meet STANDARD 100 requirements without being made from recycled fibres.

Does GRS mean a textile is free from all harmful substances?

No certification should be interpreted more broadly than its defined scope. GRS includes requirements related to chemical use and processing, but it is not the same testing scheme as OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100.

Why can both certifications appear on the same swimwear product?

Because they provide different pieces of information. A shopper might want evidence about recycled-content traceability and also information about harmful-substance testing. Seeing both claims can therefore be more informative than seeing either one alone.

Is GRS changing?

Yes. Textile Exchange is transitioning several existing standards into its new Materials Matter Standard system. Textile Exchange states that the new Materials Matter Standard becomes effective on 31 December 2026, with broader mandatory transition milestones following later.

That means certification language in the textile industry will continue to evolve, so it is worth checking current official guidance rather than relying on old summaries.

What does EcoAGN state about its swimwear?

EcoAGN's active swimwear product pages currently state that the recycled content is certified to GRS and that the textile carries OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification. The pages also show the fabric composition rather than relying only on generic sustainability language.

Explore the current collection through Build Your Bikini.

Frequently asked questions

Is GRS better than OEKO-TEX?

That is the wrong comparison. They cover different attributes, so neither is simply a “better version” of the other.

Does GRS prove a product is 100% recycled?

No. The recycled percentage must be read from the actual product composition and applicable claim. Certification should not be interpreted as meaning every component is recycled.

Does OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 mean organic?

No. It is a harmful-substance testing standard, not an organic-fibre certification.

Related EcoAGN guides

Read What Is Recycled Swimwear? and What Does UPF 50+ Mean in Swimwear?.