In today’s world, the concerns for quality and safety of the products we use daily have been rising constantly. In a world where almost everything tends to be instant, the need for reassurance before using has never been higher before.
This is where various product certifications come in. As one of the long standing certifications, you might have heard of or seen the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 that comes with different products.
But what is the standard and why does it matter?
A Brief History
Oeko-Tex Association which is made up of 17 testing and research institutes today was founded in 1992 with the aim of using laboratory tests to ensure textile products are harmless to human health (1).
This led to the development of the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, now the world's best-known and most trusted certification for product safety.(2)
What Is Oeko-Tex Standard 100?
According to the Oeko-Tex association, Oeko‑Tex Standard 100 is the original safety standard. It is an independent, globally standardized certification system that rigorously tests textiles and all their components—threads, buttons, zippers, linings, dyes—for harmful substances The label assures that the product is harmless to human health, based on strict criteria that often exceed national and international regulations.(3)
Four Classes of Standard 100
Oeko‑Tex Standard 100 divides textiles into four product classes, each with a level of stringency based on how closely the item contacts skin.
Oeko-Tex classifies all the eligible textile products into four categories:
- Product class I- items for babies and infants
- Product class II- items with prolonged long-area direct skin contact
- Product class III- Textiles with or without little skin contact
- Product class IV- Furnishing materials for decorations.
The more intensive the skin contact, the stricter the human ecology requirements and laboratory tests.
Summary
Oeko‑Tex Standard 100 goes beyond a simple label. It’s a trustworthy companion in textile safety that brings clarity and quality to both consumers and brands. The certification ensures you're making a safer, smarter choice.