Certification and Registration
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification
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OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification
What is OEKO-TEX Standard 100?
The International OEKO-TEX Association was established in Switzerland in 1992 in response to the growing global concern regarding product safety. In the same year, the organization launched its most well-known certification—Standard 100.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is also referred to as eko-tex 100 or öko-tex 100 standard. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a global standard developed for the textile industry and its suppliers to protect against environmental pollution and ecological imbalance. It is a globally standardized, independent testing and certification system covering raw materials, intermediates, and accessories at all stages of textile production.
The OEKO-TEX label represents an internationally recognized ecological quality mark of reliability. Products available on the market carrying the Standard 100 label have been tested for harmful substances in finished products.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Testing Criteria
All products certified under OEKO-TEX Standard 100 are tested for toxic substances, including formaldehyde, nickel, and azo dyes. Many substances that are not legally prohibited but are suspected to be harmful to human health and the environment are also included in the list. These include allergenic dyes and synthetic softeners (phthalates). In many cases, OEKO-TEX testing standards and limit values are stricter than national or international regulations. Products bearing this label are free from more than 300 known harmful substances that may pose risks to humans and the environment.
Textiles for babies and toddlers are also tested for color “migration” through saliva simulation tests such as sucking and biting. Materials used in larger products such as furniture are also analyzed for hazardous gas emissions.
It is important to note that every component of the product is tested. This means that each button, zipper, lining, and even special coatings on finished products are tested individually for the same chemical substances.
The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 requirements are reviewed and updated annually. As a global standard, certification requirements are uniform regardless of the country. Companies wishing to obtain certification apply voluntarily.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Product Classes
Standard 100 covers a wide range of products and raw materials. Naturally, not all of them can be assessed under the same criteria. Therefore, OEKO-TEX has developed four product classes, each categorized according to its intended use.
Class I applies to products for babies and toddlers. This is the most strictly regulated and most rigorously tested product category, as baby skin is highly sensitive and requires special care and protection. This category includes additional requirements such as color migration resistance and saliva resistance.
Class II includes products that come into direct contact with the skin. These include clothing such as T-shirts, socks, underwear, as well as home textiles such as towels and bed linens.
Class III includes products with little or no skin contact, such as outerwear (jackets, coats), belts, and other apparel and accessories.
Class IV includes decorative textiles and products such as furniture, upholstery materials, curtains, and tablecloths.
Certification Process
1. Application
The applicant completes the application form and provides representative product samples for testing.
2.Testing
An individual testing plan is developed based on the client’s application requirements. The laboratory tests the provided samples and sends a detailed test report to the applicant.
3.Declaration of Conformity / Quality Assurance System
If the submitted product samples comply with the required STANDARD 100 criteria, the applicant must sign a declaration of conformity stating that the current production complies with the tested sample materials. In addition, evidence of a quality assurance system must be provided to ensure that the ecological quality of the products is maintained throughout the validity period of the certificate.
4.On-site Audit
During the on-site audit at the production facility, OEKO-TEX® experts verify all certification details. The audit may take place either before certification or shortly after it has been completed.
5.Certificate
The certification body issues a certificate to the applicant, authorizing the use of the STANDARD 100 label for marking and marketing the products.
What is the difference between OEKO-TEX certification and organic certification?
The simplest way to explain this is that organic certification refers to how raw textile materials are grown, while OEKO-TEX certification refers to how textiles are processed, including dyes and finishing. OEKO-TEX certified textiles and fabrics are tested to ensure they are free from harmful chemicals and safe for human use.
Organic certification means that textile and fabric products are grown according to strict guidelines regarding the use of petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides, and synthetic substances.
However, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification does not mean the fabric is organic.
To obtain organic certification, fabrics such as cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp, linen, and other natural fibers must be grown and produced according to strict standards related to the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. To be labeled as organic, fabrics must also comply with fiber production and processing standards such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or ACO (Australian Certified Organic).
However, organic fabrics are not necessarily tested for harmful substances in the same way as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified products.
Organic certification and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification are different, but both are useful ways for consumers to better understand how the products they purchase are produced. Ideally, consumers should choose organic textile products that are also OEKO-TEX certified!
SATISFY provides OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 textile testing and certification services to customers. Please contact Satisfy customer service for more information on the latest updates regarding OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100.
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SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC delivers full-lifecycle technical solutions for children’s products, hygiene care, protective equipment, furniture, and building materials. Our framework spans compliance pre-assessment, standard upgrading, and risk control. We empower manufacturers and exporters through expert testing, certification, consulting, and standards interpretation.
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