Providing third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development.

SCS Global Services provides two types of certification to recognize your achievements:

• Recycled Content Certification - The SCS Recycled Content Certification evaluates products made from pre-consumer or post-consumer material diverted from the waste stream. Certification measures the percentage of recycled content for the purpose of making an accurate claim in the marketplace.
• Recycling Program Certification - The SCS Recycling Program Certification helps recyclers and reclamation facilities make credible claims about their diversion strategies and recycling rates.

1. Apply for Certification

   Complete and submit an SCS Application Form. SCS will scope the project based on information provided in the application and will prepare a proposal for your approval with suggested timeline and quote. Once you approve the proposal, you will sign a Work Order and an account manager will be assigned to guide you through the certification process.

2. Data Collection

   An SCS auditor will help you assemble preliminary data which will be submitted to SCS. SCS will review the product data, corporate documentation, manufacturing process, product formulation, testing, etc.

3. Draft Assessment Report

   The auditor will write a draft assessment report that details the findings of the audit, which will include data analysis, non-conformities, and opportunities for improvement.

4. Internal peer review

   Another qualified SCS auditor will review the report, making any necessary corrections or changes before the report is sent to the client.

5. Corrective Actions

   You will need to respond to any non-conformities with a corrective action plan. You may also make comments and responses to the information contained in the report and the conclusions drawn by the auditor.

6. Certification Decision

   If certification is granted, SCS will issue the certificate and final report to your facility or operation. Once certified, your company is listed in the Green Products Certificate Database and SCS website.

7. Certification Maintenance and Renewal

   Certification is valid for one year. SCS requires annual audits to maintain your certification and support continual improvement.

Certification of the recycled content in your product may help you:

• Demonstrate leadership in reducing reliance on natural resources
• Satisfy purchase requirements and customer specifications
• Meet regulatory requirements
• Meet consumer demand
• Differentiate your product in a crowded field

What type of material can be claimed as "recycled"?

Qualification of material as truly recycled is an important step in the certification process. Post- or pre-consumer material which meets the definition in ISO 14021 is considered for certification. Material must also conform to the requirements of the FTC Green Guides.

What is the minimum level of recycled content to get certified?

There is no minimum. The percentage of recycled content is derived from the weight of a finished product, and thus it is possible to have a seemingly small percentage actually representing a very substantial amount of material.

For example, glass comprises most the weight of the finished product in a window. For performance reasons related to clarity, the amount of recycled glass used is limited. Some framing materials can contain high levels of recycled content (and can represent a substantial amount of total material diverted from the waste stream over a year), however, by weight, contribute less to the total percentage of recycled content in windows than do glass. SCS believes it would be misleading to claim a large percentage of recycled content for the frame only, when the product purchased is a window.

What claim can I make once my product is certified?

The SCS recycled content claim specifies the percentage of recycled content and is based on rigorous analysis of the inputs of a manufacturing process. SCS will never certify that a product contains recycled content of an indeterminate quantity.

What happens if the recycled content in my product varies?

The minimum is generally listed. If it is impossible for the customer to trace the origin of the product, given multiple production sites or a wide shipping distribution, an average claim will be made.

Can I certify my product if it is produced at multiple facilities?

Yes, many clients have multiple production facilities.

Do I qualify for LEED contributions by obtaining certification?

LEED currently does not require independent third party certification for recycled content. However, many specifiers do.

Does SCS provide certification support?

SCS provides ongoing program support, including on-going staff assistance, marketing and promotional support, and information about new or revised requirements. Certified clients will receive information about the logo approval system and use of SCS trademarks for both on-product and off-product promotions.