WHAT IS OEKO-TEX®?
OEKO-TEX® is an independent international association comprising 18 approved institutes in 85 countries around the world. AITEX is the only Spanish Institute approved to issue OEKO-TEX® certifications and has been a member of the OEKO-TEX® Association since 1992.
With more than 25 years of experience, OEKO-TEX® is the global leader in enabling consumers and businesses to protect the planet through responsible trade. OEKO-TEX® offers standardised solutions with which customers can optimise their production processes and contribute to bringing high quality, sustainable products to the market.
WHAT IS THE OEKO-TEX® CERTIFICATION PROCESS LIKE?
The OEKO-TEX® certification system continually adapts to legal and regulatory requirements and promotes the development of sustainable products in the textile and leather industry.
The certification process for any OEKO-TEX® label always follows standard quality controls applicable in every country around the world. Companies interested in acquiring OEKO-TEX® certification must comply with every control standard applicable to the production processes they carry out and a series of verification criteria have been drawn up including documentary study of the information provided and analysis of samples or materials. After evaluating the results, if they meet the requirements of each certificate, the approved institute will issue the corresponding OEKO-TEX® certificate.
AITEX is the only Spanish Institute approved to issue OEKO-TEX® certifications, offers companies interested in acquiring OEKO-TEX® certification a broad team of experts to advise on the different certifications and how to apply them, as well as how to obtain the certifications.
TYPES OF OEKO-TEX® CERTIFICATIONS
Since its inception in 1992 to the present day, OEKO-TEX® has been constantly creating and updating a range of certifications to meets market needs. Today, the OEKO-TEX® portfolio consists of six certifications, covering every production process.
STANDARD 100 CERTIFIED by OEKO-TEX®
LABEL FOR TEXTILES TESTED FOR HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certificate is the most widely used eco-label in the world and guarantees that any textile bearing the label has been tested and found free from over 300 harmful substances. The certification is based on the OEKO-TEX® catalogue of scientifically based criteria and neutral laboratory tests, taking into account a huge range of substances, both regulated and non-regulated, that could be harmful to health, as well as preventive parameters. In many cases, the limit values set for STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® are stricter than national and international requirements.
The types of products certified by the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certificate are grouped into four classes: Articles that may be in direct contact with the skin for babies and children up to three years of age (underwear, bed linen, towels, nappies, nappies, hygiene products, etc.), articles in direct contact with the skin (underwear, bed linen, T-shirts, socks, etc.), articles that are not in direct contact with the skin (jackets, coats, etc.) and decorative materials (tablecloths, curtains, upholstered furniture covers, etc.). Any type of product used in the textile industry can be tested: flock, yarn, fabric, ready-made garments, household products, textile accessories, buttons, foam, feather, down, etc.
CERTIFIED MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®
THE LABEL FOR TRANSPARENT SUPPLY CHAINS AND SUSTAINABLE TEXTILE AND LEATHER PRODUCTS
MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® is an independent product label designed to meet consumers’ increased awareness of environmentally and socially responsible manufactured products. It enables manufacturers and retailers of textile and leather goods to declare their product’s responsibility clearly and visibly. MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® ensures that the entire value chain is transparent and gives consumers the confidence to make sustainable purchasing decisions.
MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® evaluates raw materials and chemicals needed for production, manufacturing processes and management of production sites. The more products and upstream processes that are certified through OEKO-TEX®, the easier it is for manufacturers and retailers of textile and leather products to obtain MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® certification.
LEATHER STANDARD CERTIFIED by OEKO-TEX®
LABEL FOR LEATHER GOODS TESTED FOR HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX® guarantees the legal conformity of leather products and leather goods at all stages of production. It certifies that a product awarded the LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX® label has been reliably tested for harmful substances. Leather articles can be tested at any stage of manufacture, including manufacture into semi-finished products, leather fibre materials, finished goods and accessories and finished leather.
The types of products certified by the LEATHER STANDARD by OEKOTEX® label are grouped into four classes: Articles in direct contact with skin for babies and children up to 3 years (leather clothing, sheepskin crawling blankets, furs, etc.), articles in direct contact with skin (leather trousers and jackets, leather underwear, etc.), articles without direct contact with skin (lined leather jackets or coats, leather bags, leather belts, etc.) and decorative materials (upholstery covers, etc.).
artículos sin contacto directo con la piel (chaquetas o abrigos de cuero forrados, bolsos de cuero, cinturones de cuero, etc.)y materiales de decoración (fundas de tapicería, etc.)
STeP CERTIFIED by OEKO-TEX®
THE INDEPENDENT CERTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR TRANSPARENT AND SUSTAINABLE LEATHER AND TEXTILE PRODUCTION
STeP is a modular certification system for the consistent implementation of environmentally friendly production processes, the improvement of health and safety and the enhancement of socially responsible working conditions in companies throughout the entire supply chain. By regularly updating the STeP by OEKO-TEX® certificate criteria, certified companies are able to continuously improve their environmental performance and social responsibility to strengthen their status and competitiveness.
The requirements for STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification are based on the fulfilment of minimum requirements in six different modules: Environmental Performance, Health and Safety, Social Responsibility, Environmental Management, Quality Management and Chemicals Management.
STeP-certified companies are among the world’s suppliers who meet the requirements for environmental protection and social responsibility, enabling them to demonstrate a joint supply chain commitment to the end consumer.
ECO PASSPORT CERTIFIED by OEKO-TEX®
INDEPENDENT CERTIFICATION FOR CHEMICALS, DYESTUFFS AND AUXILIARIES
ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® is a certificate for manufacturers of textile or leather chemicals to prove the suitability of their products for sustainable production, health and environmental protection.
OEKO-TEX® has developed the ECO PASSPORT certification to support companies in the selection of safe and environmentally friendly chemicals. The aim of this initiative is for value chains to use safer chemicals to ensure a cleaner planet and a better future.
The certification offers companies a tool for testing chemical products, a comprehensive platform for testing compliance with MRSL and RSL and a transparent and easy-to-follow assessment process. In short, seamless integration with other OEKO-TEX® certifications such as the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX® and STeP by OEKO-TEX® labels.
DETOX TO ZERO CERTIFIED by OEKO-TEX®
INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF THE DETOX CRITERIA
DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX® enables producers in the textile industries to reach Greenpeace DETOX targets.
The certification assesses audits and reports on the quality of wastewater and sludge, the use of chemicals and other environmental aspects. DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX® targets wet-process finishing facilities throughout the entire supply chain of the textile and leather industries and provides support in the approaches required to achieving greater transparency and sustainability.
The certificate ultimately promotes the goal of moving towards a greener chemical industry through precautionary measures that eliminate hazardous chemicals for the benefit of companies and brands wishing to convey their commitment to sustainability throughout their entire supply chain.
