What is the function of transaction certificates?
As you might know and have learned already, scope certificates provide no proof that any goods delivered by its holder are certified. They only show that the certificate holder can produce goods listed in the scope certificate's appendix in conformity with the standard.
However, proof of certified goods is provided by a valid transaction certificate. In general, transaction certificates list the individual products and contain relevant shipment details, including both the buyer's and seller's name and address, and declares that all goods listed under this specific shipment comply with the respective standard. In other words, without transaction certificates, it would be impossible to ensure that the product received at the end of the supply chain or by the consumer is made from or contains the material that is claimed by the manufacturers.
Which transaction certificates exist on the platform?
On the platform, a variety of transaction certificates can be uploaded. The following transaction certificates are available:
Global Recycled Standard (GRS) Transaction
Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) Transaction
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Transaction
Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) Transaction
Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) Transaction
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Transaction
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Transaction
Naturtextil IVN zertifiziert BEST Transaction
Naturtextil IVN zertifiziert Transaction
Naturleder IVN zertifiziert Transaction
Organic Content Standard (OCS) 100 Transaction
Organic Content Standard (OCS) Blended Transaction
Recycled Content Standard (RCS) Transaction
Recycled Content Standard (RCS) Blended Transaction
Content Claim Standard (CCS) Transaction
The Good Cashmere Standard Transaction
FSC® - Forest Stewardship Council® - Transaction
How to upload a transaction certificate and link it with a product?
💡Before uploading a transaction certificate, you may upload the matching scope certificate first!
1. Go to the 'Certifications' tab in the left navigation bar.
2. Click on the '+' button (= "create new claim")
3. Under the 'For which company is the certificate?' tab, you can choose the company for which the transaction certificate is awarded from the dropdown-menu.
4. Next, select the transaction certificate from the dropdown-menu below 'Select the standard?' tab.
👉Is there a transaction certificate missing on our platform? Don't worry, please fill out this form to request a new certificate to be added.
5. Click on the 'Continue' button.
6. Now you can attach the certificate file by either pulling it into the field or by browsing through your computer database. Please be aware: that the maximum size of the file is 100MB.
7. Click on the 'Continue' button.
8. Then input the certification details. Fill out all applicable fields that you can retrieve from the certificate, including the document and license number, issue and expiration date, and details of the issuing body (e.g. Control Union, Intertek, TÜV, Elevate, etc.).
💡The expiration date of the transaction certificate can be set a year minus a day later than the issue date. For example, the issue date is 13/03/2022, then the expiration date would be 12/03/2023.
9. Lastly, you can link the respective product(s) to the transaction certificate. Tick the box next to the products' name (multi-selection is possible).
💡No products are shown? Check in the product profile's overview tab if the company is set as the main supplier.
10. Click on the 'Link & Request' button.
❗Product linking is not mandatory and can be also done after the claim request has been approved.
The requirements for TC and Product linking are:
OCS 100: 95% raw materials (natural fibers)
OCS Blended: 5% raw materials (natural fibers)
GRS: 20% recycled raw materials
RCS: 5% recycled materials
Also note that without linking, the transaction certificate will not be associated with the product(s).