What
is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 ?
LETS SPREAD GREEN WORLD - GO GREEN !!
Human Textile Ecology - An International acceptance standard!
"Oeko-Tex Standard 100”
Oeko-Tex standard 100 is a global testing and accreditation scheme for the screening of harmful substances within consumer textiles and was developed in 1992 by a group of European textile institutes.
It is the dominant consumer
focused global player in the textile Eco-labeling field with over
48,000 certificates having been issued world wide since its inception.
This equates to over 5,000 manufacturers and over 1 million licensed
products.
Who Uses Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Why ?
Who Uses Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Why ?
Many leading manufacturers and high street retailers choose to work to
the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, regarding it as the industry benchmark in
the field of human ecology, since it provides a comprehensive and
fastidiously scrutinized screening scheme, which sets stricter limits
than current EC legislation on banned or restricted use substances
used in textile manufacture. The scheme also includes substances
considered to be harmful but which are yet to be banned by legislation
such as certain pesticides.
Examples of other harmful substances screened
include:
- Banned Carcinogenic Dyestuffs
- Allergenic Dyestuffs
- Extractable Heavy Metals
- Flame Retardants
- Formaldehyde
- Loose Dye/Colour
- Organo-tin Compounds
- Phthalates (plasticizers)
- Chlorinated Aromatic Compounds
- Volatile Organics
Oeko-Tex labeling:
Goods meeting the requirements of the standard are
entitled to carry the Oeko-Tex label, which contains a unique code
number specific to the product and certificate. Finished products
carrying this label, which includes the wording;” Confidence in
Textiles - Tested for Harmful Substances”, provide peace of mind to
consumers and are becoming increasingly recognised and actively sought
by them.
Product Scope for Oeko-Tex
Standard 100
Oeko-Tex accreditation can be obtained for raw
materials used in textiles such as fibers, yarns and fabrics, as well
finished products including garments, baby products, household
textiles, upholstery and carpeting.
The Role of Shirley
Technologies Ltd within Oeko-Tex
Shirley Technologies Ltd is the exclusively
appointed UK laboratory supporting the testing and certification to
the Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
The Accreditation Process
Any company wishing to obtain Oeko-Tex
certification for its products needs to initially complete an
Application Form, which requests details of manufacture including
chemicals used in processing. This form can be downloaded directly
from the Oeko-Tex web site (see link below) or can be obtained by
contacting us.
The returned, completed form is then assessed by
us to determine the cost, samples required from the client and the
timescale for the full procedure including the issuing of an annual
certificate.
The
client pays an annual Certification and
License fee and submits samples for further checks as
required. The Oeko-Tex Association also employs auditors who carry out
random checks
on production sites to ensure conformity to the Standard 100
is being maintained.
Oeko-Tex Information Pack
To obtain a full Oeko-Tex Information Pack which
contains an Application Form and Guide, and further details including
a copy of the standard and the procedure for renewing an annual
license contact us directly.
OEKO-TEX WEB SITE
: www.oeko-tex.com
This provides full technical details on the
standard itself and also includes a database providing global details
on certified companies and products.
