OEKO-TEX Certification: What It Means for Fabric Sourcing
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests for over 350 harmful substances including pesticides, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and allergenic dyes. Product classes: Class I (babies, highest standard), Class II (direct skin contact), Class III (no direct skin contact), Class IV (home textiles). Certification is valid for 12 months with annual renewal audit.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests for over 350 harmful substances including pesticides, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and allergenic dyes. Product classes: Class I (babies, highest standard), Class II (direct skin contact), Class III (no direct skin contact), Class IV (home textiles). Certification is valid for 12 months with annual renewal audit.
Definição
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is an international certification system that tests textile products for harmful substances. It covers all production stages and four product classes based on skin contact.
O problema
Your buyer requires OEKO-TEX certification but you are not sure what it covers, how to verify it, or whether your supplier's certification is valid.
Como funciona
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is the world's most recognized textile certification for harmful substances. It tests for regulated and non-regulated substances that may be harmful to human health. Testing includes restricted azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates, pesticides, chlorinated phenols, and more. The certification is product-specific and factory-specific. Each certified product has a unique certificate number verifiable on the OEKO-TEX database.
A solução
Request the supplier's OEKO-TEX certificate and verify using the online OEKO-TEX database. Check that the certificate: 1) covers your specific product type, 2) is currently valid (12-month validity), 3) has the correct product class. Renew certificates annually.
Comparações principais
Guias relacionados
A nossa recomendação
Seekingtex maintains current OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification for all standard performance fabrics. We provide certificate copies with every shipment and support new certification for custom developments.
Perguntas frequentes
Is OEKO-TEX mandatory? ▼
Not legally mandatory, but required by many European and North American brands and retailers for compliance assurance.
How long does OEKO-TEX certification take? ▼
Initial certification takes 4-8 weeks including testing. Annual renewal takes 2-4 weeks.
What product classes exist? ▼
Class I (baby products, most stringent), Class II (direct skin contact, e.g. t-shirts), Class III (no direct skin contact, e.g. jackets), Class IV (home textiles, e.g. curtains).
Does OEKO-TEX cover environmental production? ▼
No — OEKO-TEX Standard 100 covers product safety only. For environmental production standards, look for Bluesign or OEKO-TEX STeP.