About Oeko-Tex:
Confidence in textiles ¨C this has been the motto of the independent test institutes of the International Oeko-Tex Association since 1992, with their tests for harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for textile products of all types which pose no risk whatsoever to health.
For companies in the textile and clothing industry, the Oeko-Tex criteria catalogue provides for the very first time a uniform, scientifically founded evaluation standard for the human ecological safety of textiles, against the background of the globalised and extremely fragmented nature of the textile manufacturing chain.
The Oeko-Tex label indicates to interested end users the additional benefits of tested safety for skin-friendly clothing and other textiles. In this way, the test label provides an important decision-making tool when purchasing textiles.
Confidence in textiles ¨C an international synonym for responsible textile production ¨C from the raw material to the finished product on the shop shelves. For industry and retailers throughout the textile manufacturing chain just as well as for users of fashionable, functional, colourful textiles.
Certification of Oeko-Tex:
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 provides the textile and clothing industry with a globally uniform standard for the objective assessment of harmful substances for the first time. Raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of processing throughout the manufacturing chain, including accessories, are tested and certified.
The Oeko-Tex system permits the use of source materials which already have certification, thus simplifying the flow of information between the companies involved regarding the human ecological quality of the products supplied.
Textile products may be certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100 only if all components meet the required criteria without exception. Certification is obtained by application in writing from the manufacturer to one of the authorised test institutes or official offices around the globe. The samples submitted are tested exclusively in the member institutes in Europe and Japan in order to ensure a consistently high level of testing.
A prerequisite for the award of certification by the relevant test institute or the responsible certification centre is a declaration of conformity by the manufacturer, stating that the successfully tested textile samples shall correspond at all times with the quality of the products manufactured or sold throughout the twelve month licence period.
Another integral part of Oeko-Tex certification is the regular product controls which the Oeko-Tex institutes carry out regularly on the market to ensure compliance with the required criteria.
Four Product classes for Oeko-Tex:
Accordingly, successfully tested textile products are allocated to four different product classes:
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Product class I |
Textiles and textile toys for babies and small children up to the age of three, e.g. underwear, romper suits, bed linen, bedding, soft toys etc. |
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Product class II |
Textiles which, when used as intended, have a large part of their surface in direct contact with the skin, e.g. underwear, bed linen, terry goods, shirts, blouses etc. |
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Product class III |
Furnishing materials for decorative purposes such as table linen and curtains, but also textile wall and floor coverings etc. |
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Product class IV |
Textiles which, when used as intended, do not come into contact with the skin, or only have a small part of their surface in contact with the skin, e.g. jackets, coats, interlining materials etc.
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