A4 - Definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply:

Audit: A means to verify compliance with a standard. Audits can be on site, desk audits (review of documents) or a combination of both.

Blend: A combination of Claimed Materials and other materials.

CCS product: Goods-in-process or finished products that have been certified to the CCS. CCS products may also be referred to as CCS inputs and CCS outputs.

Certification Body: An authorized third party carrying out inspection and certification in accordance with the provisions set out in this Standard.

Certifier: The individual working for the authorized certification body who reviews the results of the inspection and makes the final certification decision.

Certification: The issuing of written assurance (the certificate) by an independent body that it has audited a management system and verified that it conforms to the requirements specified in this Standard.

Chain of Custody: A system to document and guarantee the path taken by a defined entry material through all stages of transfer and production, to the final product. The chain of custody preserves the identity of the entry material.

Claim: An oral, written, or implied, representation, statement, advertising or other form of communication that is presented to the public or buyer that relates to the presence of a Claimed Material in the content of a product.

Claimed Material: The specific material that is being verified by the CCS as a content claim in a final product.

Commingling: Physical contact between certified and non- certified materials during production,processing, transportation, storage or handling.

Content: Proportion of a material in a product.

Inputs: All substances and materials used in the production of textiles.

Inspection: The act of examining and evaluating the production or handling of the claimed material by an applicant for verification to establish compliance with the CCS standard.

Label: Descriptive, informative or pictorial material on or accompanying a product or its immediate container.

Mass Balance Calculation: At each point along the supply chain the records must demonstrate the balance between the inputs and the outputs containing the declared final amount of Claimed Material.

The certification body will review transaction certificates as well as shipping invoices to verify that the amounts being claimed are accurate.

Non-compliance: Lack of conformity with the CCS standard.

Operation: A step in the supply chain that receives, processes, packages or stores products covered by CCS.

Organization: Entity being certified to the CCS; involved in the manufacturing, handling and processing of CCS products.