Environmental requirements have moved from the last page of the RFQ to the qualification stage. Here is what buyers are actually asking tape suppliers for in 2026 — and how to word it so you get a verifiable answer.
1. Recycled content — ask for GRS
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) verifies recycled content and its chain of custody, so the claim is auditable rather than marketing. If recycled PET matters to your programme, name GRS in the spec instead of asking for "eco-friendly" material.
2. Textile safety — OEKO-TEX Standard 100
For anything touching apparel, footwear or interior textiles, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies the material has been tested for harmful substances. It is the recognised shorthand in the textile supply chain.
3. Halogen-free and low-smoke
Beyond flammability, rail, aerospace and premium automotive increasingly require zero-halogen flame-retardant grades — they self-extinguish without producing toxic halogen fumes. Note this is a formulation requirement, separate from the UL 94 V-0 rating itself.
4. Substance compliance — RoHS and REACH
RoHS (restricted hazardous substances) and REACH (EU chemical registration and SVHC disclosure) are now standard asks for anything shipped into Europe. Request the current declarations, dated, for the exact grade you intend to qualify.
5. Solvent reduction in manufacturing
Buyers are also asking how the tape is made, not just what it contains — water-based and solvent-reduced coating processes, and energy use at the plant. A full-chain manufacturer that runs its own coating line can answer this concretely; a trader usually cannot.
How to write it into your RFQ
"PET cloth tape, LV 312 T3, Class C abrasion — GRS recycled content required, RoHS + REACH declarations, zero-halogen FR grade, OEKO-TEX where textile-facing." That one line is auditable.
EJOY supplies grades certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GRS, with RoHS and REACH declarations available on request.
FAQ
What certification proves recycled content in tape?
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) verifies recycled content and chain of custody, making the claim auditable rather than a marketing statement.
Is halogen-free the same as flame retardant?
No. Flame retardancy (e.g. UL 94 V-0) is about self-extinguishing; zero-halogen is about not releasing toxic halogen fumes. Rail, aerospace and premium automotive often require both.