Oeko-tex standard

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 or Öko-Tex Standard 100 (sometime misspelled Oktex) is an independent testing and certification system for textile products from all stages of production (fibres, yarns, fabrics, ready-to-use end products, including accessories) along the textile value chain.

The label, 'Confidence in Textiles' of the product-related Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (textiles tested for harmful substances) is supplemented by the certification of environmentally friendly production facilities according to Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 and by the product label Oeko-Tex Standard 100plus for products tested for harmful substances from environmentally friendly production.

It was developed in 1992.

The global standard is issued by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology (Oeko-Tex) with headquarters in Zurich (Switzerland). It currently includes 15 neutral test and research institutes in Europe and Japan with contact offices in over 70 countries around the world. The internationally standardised criteria catalogue for testing for harmful substances is regularly modified and expanded.

The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production. Examples of eligible items for certification: Raw and dyed finished yarns, raw and dyed finished fabrics and knits, ready-made articles (all types of clothing, domestic and household textiles, bed linen, terry cloth items, textile toys and more).

Testing for harmful substances includes:

illegal substances legally regulated substances known harmful (but not legally regulated) chemicals as well as parameters for health care. In their entirety the requirements clearly exceed existing national legislation.

OEKO-TEX® testing for harmful substances always focus on the actual use of the textile. The more intensive the skin contact of a product, the stricter the human ecological requirements to be met.

Accordingly, there are four product classes:

Product class I: Textile items for babies and toddlers up to 3 years (clothing, toys, bed linen, terry cloth items etc.)

Product class II: Textiles used close to the skin (underwear, bed linen, T-shirts etc.)

Product class III: Textiles used away from the skin (jackets, coats etc.)

Product class IV: Furnishing materials (curtains, table cloths, upholstery materials etc.)

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