OEKO-TEX is an independent testing and certification system for textiles. Its best-known label, Standard 100, certifies that a textile product has been tested for harmful substances and found safe for human use.
What Standard 100 Tests For
An extensive list of regulated and non-regulated substances: azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, pesticides, phthalates, and more. Testing is stricter for products with more skin contact - baby clothes face the toughest limits (Product Class I).
OEKO-TEX vs GOTS
They answer different questions. OEKO-TEX asks: "Is this textile safe to wear?" GOTS asks: "Was this textile produced organically and responsibly?" Many products carry both - they're complementary, not competing.
Why It Matters for Brands
OEKO-TEX gives brands and consumers independent verification of textile safety. With chemical regulations tightening globally, it's becoming a baseline expectation rather than a premium feature.
FAQs
- Does OEKO-TEX mean organic?
- No. OEKO-TEX tests for harmful substances regardless of how the fiber was grown. An OEKO-TEX polyester and an OEKO-TEX organic cotton both passed the same safety tests.
- How do I verify an OEKO-TEX label?
- Each certificate has a number you can check on the OEKO-TEX website. Labels without verifiable numbers should be treated skeptically.
- Is OEKO-TEX required by law?
- No, it's voluntary. But many retailers and brands require it from suppliers as part of their chemical management programs.
Glossary: see the full fashion glossary for more apparel industry terms.