The OEKO-TEX® association has updated its testing criteria, limit values and guidelines for its certifications, reflecting the latest scientific and legal developments. The new regulations, which will come into force on 1 April 2025, aim to strengthen trust and transparency in supply chains.
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OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: Changes to organic cotton and reduction of BPA (bisphenol A)
From April 2025, the STANDARD 100 certification will no longer include “organic cotton” or “GMO-free” in its scope. Instead, cotton-made garments that are to be certified as “organic” must be certified as OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON. This change responds to the need for greater control and traceability, to combat the growing issue of materials fraudulently labelled as organic.
In addition, the permitted limit for Bisphenol A (BPA) will be drastically reduced from 100 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. Recent studies have shown that BPA present in textiles that are in direct contact with the skin, acts as an endocrine disruptor, which has led OEKO-TEX® to strengthen safety in its standards, to enhance consumer health care.
Traceability to comply with the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) with OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD
Faced with the challenges posed by the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), OEKO-TEX® has incorporated traceability requirements into its LEATHER STANDARD certification. Companies will be required to demonstrate the origin of leather materials, including documents such as delivery notes from slaughterhouses, to ensure that they do not come from deforested areas.
This change, which coincides with the postponement of the EUDR until the end of 2024, underlines OEKO-TEX®’s commitment to global sustainability and meeting the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
Inclusion of certified organic cotton for OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN
The MADE IN GREEN label, well-respected for its focus on traceability and responsible production, will now integrate products certified under OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON. This measure offers companies the possibility of combining full supply chain traceability with rigorous safety and sustainability standards in production.
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT: expanded scope and focus on biodegradability
The OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT now has expanded scope to include basic and maintenance chemical products, beyond those specialised in textile and leather applications. This change will apply controls to a wider range of substances from the beginning of the supply chain, eliminating harmful products at an earlier stage.
Biodegradability verification will be introduced for certified chemical products, such as surfactants, softeners and complexing agents which will now have to demonstrate their biodegradability through testing by OEKO-TEX® institutes or authorised third parties. Existing products in these categories will have a one-year transition period to comply with the new requirements.
OEKO-TEX® STeP: Greater collaboration with ZDHC to boost sustainability
The STeP certification, which assesses sustainable production processes, will strengthen its integration with the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) platform. Certified companies will be able to participate in the Supplier to Zero program, which encourages the reduction of environmental impact through process optimisation. This joint effort promotes a cleaner and more responsible textile, footwear and leather industry.
These updates consolidate OEKO-TEX® position as the leader in the development of safe, sustainable solutions for the textile and leather industries.
AITEX is the only Spanish center approved to issue the world-leading OEKO-TEX® certifications: STANDARD 100, MADE IN GREEN, LEATHER STANDARD, STeP and ECO PASSPORT. Contact AITEX for more information on the new regulations and substances that will come into force from April 2025.