#Sustainability

2021-06-17

What OEKO-TEX® labels mean and why they matter

Research shows that consumers want to shop responsibly and sustainably, but don’t know exactly how to do that. OEKO-TEX® labels are a trusted solution. Our labels help you make safer and more sustainable decisions.

Here are some of the most important ways our labels make a difference:

STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®

Toxins on some textiles can harm your health through breathing, skin contact and saliva. STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified products have been tested for harmful substances to protect your health.

Tested for Toxic Chemicals

This label certifies that every component of the product, from the fabric to the thread and accessories, has been rigorously tested against a list of up to 350 toxic chemicals.

Trusted Worldwide

Since 1992, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® has been the world's best-known label for textile safety

Consistently Updated

To stay ahead of changes in materials, technologies and scientific data, OEKO-TEX® regularly updates its strict standards and methods.

MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®

Transparency is the key to sustainable products. MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® labeled products are built on rigorous testing of the product and assessment of the factories.

Safe for People and the Planet

A MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® label gives you confidence that the product has been been tested for harmful substances and was made in environmentally friendly facilities.

Socially Responsible

Suppliers in a MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® certified supply chain must take actions to protect workers, ensure safe working conditions and strengthen healthy labor practices.

Transparent

Each MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® certified product can be traced using a unique product ID, providing insight into how and where it was made.

OEKO-TEX® chooses TextileGenesis to advance digital traceability for organic cotton

OEKO-TEX® today announced a full collaboration with TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to digitally trace and authenticate organic cotton, strengthening fraud prevention across the supply chain. This announcement follows a successful pilot and brings together OEKO-TEX®’s certification expertise and closed testing system with TextileGenesis’ digital traceability platform to deliver a secure, end-to-end solution for managing certified organic cotton flows.

OEKO-TEX® - New regulations 2025

Fostering trust within the textile and leather industry remains the mission of OEKO-TEX®. Since trust relies on consistently high standards, the OEKO-TEX® Association has released the updated testing criteria, limit values and guidelines for its certifications, based on the latest scientific research and legal developments.

OEKO-TEX® Annual Report 2023/2024 mentions 50,000+ valid certifications

The international OEKO-TEX® association has continued to demonstrate positive business growth, highlighting the critical role of close collaboration and shared commitment in accelerating sustainable change. More than 35,000 textile and leather companies depend on the certificates and product labels issued by OEKO-TEX®’s independent testing institutes. OEKO-TEX® issued more than 50,000 certificates and labels between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024 – an increase of 22% over the previous financial year.

OEKO-TEX® New regulations 2024

Creating trust within the textile and leather industry and for its customers is the mission of OEKO-TEX®. Since trust is based on consistently high quality, the OEKO-TEX® Association is again publishing updates to the applicable test criteria, limit values and guidelines for its certifications. Based on new scientific findings and legal developments, the OEKO-TEX® Association has published the annual updates to its test criteria, limit values and guidelines.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

Global Standard gGmbH is pleased to announce the release of Draft 2 of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) for its second public consultation. The consultation will be open from 1 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, inviting stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to provide input and contribute to the further development of this new Standard.

Textile Exchange publishes cotton Life Cycle Assessment study to strengthen impact data

Textile Exchange has published the first in a series of seven Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies designed to improve the quality and robustness of environmental impact data for raw material production across the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. The first LCA study focuses on cotton and addresses critical data gaps and methodology variability through new high-quality data across key producing countries. The study includes organic, regenerative, recycled, and country averages for conventional cotton production systems, providing a clearer picture of the associated environmental impact.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.