More and more people are evaluating sustainability, origin and materials before buying clothes or textiles for the home. As time goes by, we are learning more about the effects that chemicals have on our bodies. The best way to buy clothes with the assurance that they were not created using potentially harmful substances is through OEKO TEX. If you have never heard of this certification, keep reading. We will tell you everything from what it is, who issues it, how it is obtained and what it evaluates to how to identify products that have it.

What is the OEKO TEX certificate?

The OEKO-TEX certification is an internationally recognised quality seal that guarantees that textile and leather products have undergone rigorous testing to ensure that they do not contain substances harmful to our health or the environment. Established in 1992 by the International OEKO-TEX Association, this certification system covers products and processes, ensuring that both companies and consumers can make informed and responsible decisions when purchasing or manufacturing textiles.

What does OEKO TEX certification guarantee?

OEKO-TEX certification guarantees that products that have been certified have been rigorously evaluated and meet strict criteria for safety, sustainability and social responsibility. The main aspects it guarantees are:

Absence of harmful substances

More than 300 chemicals, including both regulated and unregulated ones, are screened to ensure that they are not harmful to human health or the environment. Included in this list are pesticides, heavy metals and dyes.

Security for vulnerable consumers

The certification classifies products into different categories based on the type of contact they have with the skin, with products for babies and toddlers (Class I) being the most strictly evaluated.

Sustainable production processes

Certifies that production processes comply with sustainable standards. This includes the optimization of natural resources, the responsible use of chemicals and the reduction of waste.

Transparency in the supply chain

Certifications such as OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN ensure that products have been manufactured in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

Types of OEKO-TEX certifications

We have already briefly mentioned some of the types of certifications, but the complete list includes:

OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100

This is the most widely recognised OEKO-TEX certification. It guarantees that textile products are free of over 300 harmful substances and are grouped into four classes depending on the level of contact they have with the skin, from baby items to decorative textiles.

OEKO-TEX LEATHER STANDARD

Similar to the STANDARD 100 certification, but specific to leather products, this label guarantees that the leather has also been tested for harmful substances. It applies to all production stages, from raw leather to finished products.

OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN

MADE IN GREEN is a label focused on supply chain transparency and responsible production. It certifies that textiles and products have been manufactured in an ecologically and socially responsible manner. It also allows any consumer to trace the entire value chain.

OEKO-TEX ORGANIC COTTON

This certification ensures that products made from organic cotton do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and have been tested for pesticides and other harmful substances. It is aimed at companies that already hold the STANDARD 100 certification and are looking to expand their focus towards organic and sustainable production.

OEKO-TEX STeP

STeP is a modular certification that assesses the sustainability of the entire production chain. It analyses aspects such as environmental performance, chemical management, occupational health and safety, and corporate social responsibility.

OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT

Aimed at chemical manufacturers, it guarantees that their auxiliary products and dyes used in textile production are safe for humans and the environment. It is also compatible with other OEKO-TEX certifications.

What is the OEKO TEX certification process?

The OEKO-TEX certification process is a rigorous and standardized system that is applied uniformly throughout the world. All companies seeking to obtain any of the certifications must meet a series of requirements and subject their products and processes to exhaustive evaluations. The process goes something like this:

Request for certification

The first step is for the interested company to contact an authorized OEKO-TEX center to identify its needs and determine which certification is most appropriate for its products or processes.

Document evaluation

The company must then submit all necessary documentation on its production processes, materials used and, if applicable, chemicals applied. This documentation is thoroughly reviewed to ensure that it meets the standards set by OEKO-TEX.

Sample analysis

Following the documentary evaluation, samples are taken from the products or materials that the company wishes to certify. These samples are subjected to laboratory tests in authorized centers, to detect any type of harmful substance.

Evaluation of the results

Once laboratory testing is complete, the results are analyzed to determine whether the products meet the requirements of the requested certification. In the case of certifications such as STANDARD 100 or LEATHER STANDARD, the levels of chemicals in the product are checked. In sustainability certifications, such as MADE IN GREEN or STeP, the environmental and social performance of the production processes is also assessed.

Issuance of the certificate

If products or processes meet the established criteria, the corresponding OEKO-TEX certificate is issued. This certificate is valid for one year, during which the company must guarantee that it maintains the same quality standards. Companies wishing to renew their certification must undergo a new assessment at the end of this period.

What types of articles can receive OEKO-TEX certification?

Virtually any textile or leather item can be certified OEKO-TEX, provided, of course, that it meets the strict safety and sustainability standards set by the association. OEKO-TEX then classifies products into four categories, depending on their use and the contact they have with the skin:

Product Class I: Articles for babies and toddlers

This class includes textile products intended for babies and children under three years of age, such as clothing, diapers, towels, blankets and bed linen. Products in this category are evaluated under the strictest criteria, as they are in direct contact with babies' sensitive skin.

Product Class II: Articles with prolonged direct contact with the skin

This includes products that would be in prolonged contact with our skin, such as underwear, T-shirts, bedding, tights and socks. Although these are also rigorously tested, the focus is less than that of baby products.

Product Class III: Articles with little or no direct contact with the skin

This category includes jackets, coats, bags or curtains, which do not have prolonged or direct contact with the skin. Although safety standards are more relaxed in this class, products still have to pass tests for harmful substances.

Product Class IV: Decoration materials

Finally, decorative items such as tablecloths, curtains, furniture covers and upholstery are included. Although these are not in direct contact with the skin, they are tested to ensure that they do not release hazardous chemicals into the environment, whether domestic or commercial.

Benefits of the OEKO TEX certificate

It is clear that the greatest benefit of this certificate is that it assures us that what we are buying will not cause potential health problems. Neither to us nor to our little ones. But this is not the only benefit, it also gives us:

Quality assurance

OEKO-TEX certification is a globally recognised seal of quality. Products bearing this label meet rigorous standards that often exceed national and international regulations.

Access to global markets

This benefit is more for companies, but by having an OEKO-TEX certification, they can access new international markets, since the seal is widely recognized and valued throughout the world.

Improving sustainability

OEKO-TEX not only guarantees product safety, but also promotes sustainability throughout the entire production chain. STeP and MADE IN GREEN certifications encourage companies to optimize their processes, reduce the use of natural resources, minimize waste and improve working conditions.

Transparency in the supply chain

The MADE IN GREEN certification requires companies to demonstrate the transparency of their supply chain. As consumers, we can trace the origin of products and verify that they have been manufactured in a socially and ecologically responsible manner.

Who issues the OEKO TEX certificate?

The OEKO-TEX certificate is issued by the International OEKO-TEX Association, an independent entity made up of 17 accredited textile research and testing institutes, which are distributed in 85 countries around the world.

One of the key institutes that is part of this association is AITEX (Textile Industry Research Association), the only centre in Spain authorised to issue OEKO-TEX certifications. AITEX, like other member institutes, is responsible for carrying out laboratory analyses, documentary studies and audits in companies seeking to obtain certification.

How to recognise OEKO-TEX certified products?

Products that have been certified carry a visible label, usually located on the item itself, as you will see on all Clotsy sportswear . On this label, the name of the specific certification (such as STANDARD 100, LEATHER STANDARD or MADE IN GREEN) is included, along with a unique certification number and the name of the institute that performed the test. This number verifies the validity of the certification on the official OEKO-TEX website.

For products with the MADE IN GREEN certification, the label includes a tracking code or a QR code to be scanned or entered on the OEKO-TEX website. The QR or code is what allows the entire production chain of the product to be traced, from raw materials to manufacturing processes.

Conclusion

In short, obtaining OEKO-TEX certification not only ensures that textile and leather products meet the highest safety and sustainability standards, but also allows us to make more responsible choices. This is certainly a reassuring tool for us as consumers.