Oeko-Tex and human ecology
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 - tested for harmful substances
We take care of your well-being
Since 1992, Oeko-Tex standard 100 has grown into an international standard on safety, applied in the entire textile production chain.
More than 4,200 companies all over the world that are active in textiles and clothing are involved in the Oeko-Tex certification network. With over 20,000 certificates granted to millions of textile products, Oeko-Tex standard 100 has become the world's leading eco-label for textiles. Textile products bearing this label provide reassurance in your pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.
Meaning of the label "Confidence in Textiles"
The label "Confidence in Textiles – Tested for harmful substances according to OEKOTEX® Standard 100" is used to mark textile products that have demonstrated they pose no threat to health in comprehensive laboratory tests carried out by independent institutes. The quality mark is only issued to products of which all components are found to be free of harmful substances.
Among these are outer fabrics, such as weaves and knits, and interlinings, including sewing and embroidery threads, but also accessories made of metal or synthetics (e.g. zips, buttons, etc.). Specially applied coatings, such as those found on non-slip socks are also tested. OEKO-TEX® tests for harmful substances include more than 100 different parameters and go far beyond legal requirements.
Examples of testing parameters for baby items:
- Carcinogenic dyes
- Formaldehyde, softeners, Heavy metals
- Allergenic dispersion dyes, pesticides, tin-organic
- compounds
- Skin-friendly pH-value, good colourfastness
Prof. Dr. Dirk Hoefer (Director of the Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology and the Competence Centre for Textiles and Skin at the Hohenstein Institute)
Oeko-Tex guarantees that the tested and certified textiles do not contain any harmful substances that are a danger to human health.
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Oeko-Tex standard 1000 - eco-friendly textile production
Each production step - from fibre to finished textile product - has an impact on the environment. The textile industry takes its responsibility and needs a clear-cut concept on how to proceed in the most ecological manner. Therefore, Oeko-Tex International, a consortium of recognized textile institutes launched the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 in 1995.
Environmental impact
Survey of the possible environmental impact of textile production:
- Commodities: the most important commodities are of course the textile raw materials, dyestuffs and auxiliary porducts, but also energy and water are indispensable
- Non renewable ressources: most importantly oil, gas and coal used as fuel and in the production of synthetic fibres and auxiliary products.
- Renewable ressources: all natural fibres and wood for the production of viscose. In principle, water is a renewable ressource, but quality drinking water is becoming scarce.
- Energy consumption: especially the consumption of fossil fuels has a negative impact on non renewable energy resources and on the air quality.
- Water consumption: the supply of process water as well as the discharge of wastewater are important issues in textile finishing processes. These processes add value to textiles by dyeing and conferring water-repellent, flame-retardant, crease-resistant properties to them.
- Waste: successive processing steps create waste flows: leftover pieces of yarn and fabric, packing material... Preventing textile waste and improving the quality of textiles to increase useful applications are hence becoming more and more important.
The aim of Oeko-Tex standard 1000 is to evaluate production sites as well as products from an environment-technical point of view. Complying with the standard means reducing damage to the environment thanks to the introduction of environment protecting measures. The system not only prescribes procedures, but also gives a clear survey of the criteria and minimum values to be met.
The company has to implement an environment & quality system, comparable with ISO 14001. However, the interpretation of the environmental quality system is much more concrete in Oeko-Tex standard 1000. Moreover, there are severe requirements regarding machine and work-floor safety. The requirements to the company are hence very stern, as well on the organisational, technical as contractual level.
An important condition of the Oeko-Tex standard 1000 implies that at least 30% of the products have to be Oeko-Tex 100 certified.
Oeko-Tex standard 100plus - tested for harmful substances and eco-friendly textile production
In order to obtain a Oeko-Tex 100 plus for a certain product, the company has to comply with the Oeko-tex standard 100 for the finished product and with the Oeko-Tex standard 1000 for its entire process. This means that all textile companies belonging to the production chain of this particular textile product have to meet the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 for environmental-friendly production.
Centexbel is also accredited by Oeko-Tex International to perform audits according to Oeko-Tex Standard 1000.
