If you have bought quality clothing in the past, you have no doubt seen the Oeko-Tex 100 certified label. Or your FAVORITE influencer and clothing manufacturers cannot stop raving about it.
But what is it? What is so good about it? Well, that is what we are here to tell you. So, you can catch the growing wave of CONSCIOUS consumers.
You don’t wanna miss your share of this $1.84 trillion opportunity, do you? EXPAND your market share and see your PROFITS grow with the right information.
What is Oeko-Tex 100 certified? It is time to dig in.
Table of Contents
What Is Oeko-Tex Certified?
To understand Oeko-Tex certifications, you must know one body. The International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology. Yes, they are the ones behind Oeko-Tex.
They established the certification for the safety of textiles. So, they make sure that there are no harmful substances that are RISK to human health.
So, it is a GLOBALLY recognized assurance that shows the product has gone through testing. We are talking about checking for hundreds of potentially HARMFUL CHEMICALS.
That means they check ALL the culprits. Think of the likes of pesticides, herbicides, and even heavy metals. So whether it is hoodie manufacturers in Europe or t-shirt makers in Texas, it is all the same.
Expert tip: You can make more from BUNDLING together eco-friendly/certified products. For example, you can have Oeko-Tex or GOTS goodies for a higher PERCEIVED value.
– Donni Satu, Brand positioning strategist
What Is Oeko-Tex 100 Certified?
Not all Oeko-Tex are created equal. There are DIFFERENT types out there, but today’s star of the show is the Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
It is the MAIN CERTIFICATION in the Oeko-Tex system. It specifies the testing of a number of substances used in clothing. These include regulated chemicals, illegal substances, and known harmful substances.
This standard relies heavily on the LATEST scientific knowledge and legal requirements.
JaceApparel is where it is at as a Private Label Clothing Manufacturer. Our selection of materials is to die for. We are talking Polyester, Polyester, Calico, Neoprene, Sports Fleece, Wool and more.
And our fabrics are backed up by certifications galore. From Oeko-Tex to Bluesign® to Global Recycled Standard (GRS), we’ve got it. Establish a solid reputation based on quality.
Four Product Classes of Oeko-Tex Standard 100
This standard is divided into categories. The main criterion is their intended use of the AMOUNT OF CONTACT with human bodies.
To fully grasp what Oeko-Tex 100 certified means, you should know about these FOUR classes of products.
Class I:
Keep your eye out for this class if you deal with baby clothes. We’re talking about kids of 36 months and below.
Being so young, they have quite sensitive skin. Therefore, they can easily be affected by harmful substances.
Some of the products here include clothing, bedding, accessories, and toys for infants.
Class I has the strictest requirements. And that is cause we are dealing with a particularly vulnerable group.
Class II:
Here, we deal with materials that directly touch the skin. EXCEPT those used by kids, of course. The products you might encounter here include underwear, shirts, blouses, bedding, and more.
The regulations here are a bit laxer than in the previous case. But whether it is sportswear manufacturers in China, Australia or the USA, there is still a lot of TESTING for safety.
Class III:
The category of products here DOES NOT touch the skin directly. You are likely to find your jacket, coats, and other outerwear here.
Keep in mind these products might touch the skin, but NOT for long. So, there is still lots of testing to make sure it’s NOT HARMFUL when that happens.
And that means potential substances should be within CERTAIN LIMITS.
Class IV:
You will find fabrics that have MINIMAL to no contact with the skin here. They are not generally used for clothing.
Common examples include upholstery fabrics, table linen, curtains, carpets, and more.
Here the restrictions are very RELAXED compared to the other classes. That’s because of the LIMITED contact of the body.
Pro tip: An organization called Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) works closely with OEKO-TEX. So, you will likely see these two labels together.
Oeko-Tex vs. Organic: Is There a Difference?
Both qualifications deal with the sustainable production of textiles. But there is a subtle difference between the two.
Oeko-Tex checks for HARMFUL SUBSTANCES in fabrics. That means certifying that the materials used in production will not cause harm.
Organic certification shows how much the ENVIRONMENT will be affected during production. However, they also check if toxic materials are used to make the fabrics. Organic certifications are NOT about how HUMANS are affected.
But you can often see these labels together. If that is the situation, it means the product is both good for you and the environment.
The Oeko-Tex Certification Process
Every Oeko-Tex cert takes into consideration national and international safety regulations. The process to obtain one is not COMPLICATED, but it takes time.
A manufacturer will need to give the organization their products. That allows THOROUGH research and testing spanning every ASPECT of PRODUCTION.
We are talking from raw materials to INTERMEDIATES and to FINISHED products. The organization will determine if these materials meet the STRICT criteria.
Only when nothing exceeds the maximum allowable limits for harmful substances. That is when you get an Oeko-Tex Certification.
After that, they will maintain RANDOM inspections to see if you are playing by the rules.
You are missing out if JaceApparel is not your Cut and Sew Manufacturer. Our SEASONED team of experts does pattern making, fabric cutting, stitching, and assembling.
We use ADVANCED TECH for different aspects. So, you can rest knowing that there is zero fabric waste or errors. Enjoy word-of-mouth marketing.
Which Products Are Eligible for Oeko-Tex Certification?
You cannot just slap the Oeko-Tex 100 certified label on ANY product. There is a range of acceptable textiles that includes yarns, fabrics and knits. Here, they can be in their raw or final state. Products made from 100% organic cotton are also eligible.
Other parts like enclosures, sewing threads, and prints can all be certified with Oeko-Tex 100. The goal is to ensure that EVERY LITTLE part of the final product is checked.
There are no location-based eligibility criteria. Products from ALL COUNTRIES can be certified. However, NATIONAL LAWS are taken into consideration.
Insider hack: Stay updated on regulations. They change a lot and can make or break your business.
Oeko-Tex Certified Brands and Products
As mentioned earlier, Oeko-Tex certification is quite broad. So there is an option of products out there that fall under this. The best place to dig up that information on this is the Oeko-Tex Buying Guide.
Here, they give you a list of over 21,000 certified suppliers. That is MATERIALS to ACCESSORIES and even chemicals used in products.
Some COMMON brands that you might have heard of that are Oeko-Tex 100 certified include:
- Toad & Co
- Colorful Standard
- Hanna Andersson
- Girlfriend Collective
- Bare Home
- WestPoint Home
What Is The Importance of Oeko-Tex Certification in Supply Chain
What is Oeko-Tex 100 certified? Is that of any use to your business? Yes, very much! Lemme break it down:
- Companies show a sense of SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Oeko-Tex Certifications force participants to mind the sessional well-being and ecological protection.
- You can be sure that there are NO MISLEADING greenwashing assertions. At the same time, customers get a much BROADER KNOWLEDGE base to make their buying decisions.
- It breaks down barriers to OPEN ACCESS to product info. So no deception on sustainability.
- Your supply chain gets an EXTRA LAYER of guarantee on the quality of materials used. Since every component must meet certain criteria. That means better SECURITY measures when sourcing.
Quality branding doesn’t have to be a headache with Jace Apparel in your corner. We use all the latest methods like DTG, Screen printing, and Reflective Printing.
Plus, the dyes used are all Oeko-Tex 100 certified. You also get some designers to bring out your ideas. Establish a recognizable brand and see your PROFITS GROW.
Allergies, Sensitivities, and Oeko-Tex Certification
To fully understand what is Oeko-Tex 100 certified, you must get its role in ADDRESSING ALLERGIES. It has a meticulous approach to ELIMINATING harmful substances. So, the certification helps minimize allergic reactions caused by chemicals in textiles.
However it is NOT a be-all and end-all solution to allergies. The certification does not necessarily guarantee that there are NO ALLERGENS in the products.
When people buy Oeko-Tex certified, they have a lot less worry about allergic reactions. That is why people like to buy them.
How Can I Verify Oeko-Tex Labels and Certifications
Due to the reasons explained above, certifications like Oeko-Tex 100 are appealing. So, a lot of people can be UNSCRUPULOUS and try to fake it.
It is important to come to COUNTER CHECK the authenticity of Oeko-Tex labels. Do this through a product/company search.
The organization has a buyer guide site where you can SEARCH for something that you are eyeing.
People Also Ask About Oeko-Tex 100 Certified
1. What Are the Different Types of Oeko-Tex Certifications?
Standard 100 By Oeko-Tex® is by far the most common type of Oeko-Tex Certification. The other five include Made In Green, Leather Standard, Detox To Zero and. Don’t forget Eco Passport And Verified Organic Cotton.
2. GOTS vs. Oeko-Tex: What’s the Difference?
GOTS Certification will tell you you are getting at least 95% organic fibers. That is on top of meeting STRICT environmental and social criteria. Oeko-Tex Certification test for HARMFUL substances in the clothing.
3. How long does it take to get an OEKO-TEX® certification?
The NORMAL waiting time is somewhere between 4 to 6 weeks. However, this is not set in stone, as several factors can INCREASE or reduce the amount of time.
4. Does OEKO-TEX mean no chemicals?
Not exactly. It DOES NOT mean completely chemical-free. It’s not feasible to make clothing in that way using today’s manufacturing standards. Oeko-Tex only means that there are NO HARMFUL or toxic substances. Or they are at least within TOLERABLE limits.
What’s Next
Get yourself Oeko-Tex 100-certified clothing. It is now within reach of JaceApparel, the best private-label manufacturer in the game.
Our team of talented designers gives you DESIGN CONSULTATION, guiding you to the end. When ready, you get the prototypes in 7 to 10 days.
And everything is made in our decked-out 20,000 sq ft facility. You don’t have to worry about mishaps either with our QC on guard.
Don’t forget about clothing packaging, too. It’s ethical, sustainable, and premium, sure to dazzle buyers. Win over more clients. Get your FREE QUOTE today!
Sources:
Oeko-tex – OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide
Uniform market – Global Apparel Industry Statistics: Market Size and Trends
Quora – Are there any certifications to look for in sustainable clothing?