close

What is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100?

(Former: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®)

STANDARD 100 means textiles you can trust.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a globally standardized, independent testing and certification system for safer textiles.

Products that have been successfully tested for harmful substances are awarded the STANDARD 100 label for clear and efficient customer communication. The certificate provides independent verification and reputation protection for B2B partners.

Testing for harmful substances with STANDARD 100 incorporates important legal regulations, numerous chemicals that pose a risk to health (including some that are not yet legally regulated) and a wide variety of health parameters.

STANDARD 100 certifies textile-related goods.

Raw, semi-finished and finished textile products at all processing levels - and their accessories can be certified.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Facts

  • OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certificates are valid for 1 year
  • There are four product classes based on risk
  • For a finished product to be labeled, the final product and each of its components must be tested
  • Annual renewal and testing is required. Renewal applications can be started up to 3 months before expiration
  • On-site audits are required in the first year of certification and every 3rd year thereafter

STANDARD 100 Certification Benefits:

  • A practical tool for quality assurance
  • Consumer protection with textile products that are safe for human ecology and legally compliant - without expending internal resources
  • The OEKO-TEX® criteria catalogue is applied consistently worldwide and provides standardized requirements for purchasing and delivery
  • Many retailers and brands have Restricted Substances Lists (RSLs) based on STANDARD 100 and accept certification in lieu of additional testing
  • As a 3rd party verified label, STANDARD 100 is a recognized marketing tool for transparently promoting product stewardship efforts
  • Built in transparency increases product safety and saves time
  • The modular principle of STANDARD 100 facilitates testing and certification of textile products at every processing stage. Duplicate testing costs are avoided by using certificates from prior stages – even for products with complex structures
  • Marketing opportunities in the OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide and external listings such as Climate Pledge Friendly on Amazon, Texbase CertLink and Foursource.

STANDARD 100 Certificate Ownership and Use

A certification is only applicable to a product if each component - and the product itself - is certified.
Ownership

Who can own a STANDARD 100 certificate?

Any manufacturer or reseller of textile materials, finished goods or accessories - from any stage of processing - throughout the textile chain

Use

Using a Supplier's Certificate/Label

As long as no changes have been made to the product covered under a supplier's certificate, a company may use their supplier's certificate/label. Alternatively, many brands and retailers opt to re-certify the product(s) and maintain control with their own label number.

Pre-certification

Using Pre-certified Inputs

It is common that some or all of the inputs/ingredients of a product have been pre-certified by the supplier(s). Although this is NOT required, using pre-certified components helps to catch any issues at the source, where the chemical decisions are made in the supply chain.

STANDARD 100 Application Process

Application forms, sample instructions and screenshots walk you through the application and certification process.

Application

Certification

Downloads

Standard
Supplements
Factsheets & Brochures
Marketing

Technical Guides & Resources

Contact
Ben Mead
Managing Director
Hohenstein Americas