Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 and 1000 certification

The International Oeko-Tex® Association is well-known for its Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which certifies that textile products are tested to be free from harmful levels of more than 100 substances believed to be dangerous to humans. Also rapidly gaining useage is the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000, which evaluates textile production facilities and certifies that they are employing best practices in environmental and social management.

“The Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 gives manufacturers confidence that their production facilities are operating according to the highest global standards for environmental and social responsibility,” says U.S. Oeko-Tex director Dr. Manfred Wentz. “While the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifies the textile products themselves, the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 certifies the production facilities that make those products.”

Standard 1000 certification involves a comprehensive review of a facility’s operations that helps plant management identify strengths as well as areas that require changes to be in line with accepted best practices. Some of the criteria used:

> No harmful substances in production processes

> Responsible energy consumption

> Effective waste water and exhaust controls and treatment

> Minimal noise and dust pollution levels

> Beneficial workplace safety and workforce management programs

> No child labor

> At least 30 percent of output production is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified

> Reliable quality control mechanisms and procedures

> Compliance with all statutes and governmental regulations

The International Oeko-Tex Association, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, was founded in 1992 by the Austrian Textile Research Institute and the German Hohenstein Research Institutes. Current membership includes 14 independent textile research and testing institutes, with offices in more than 40 countries. To date, more than 60,000 Standard 100 certificates have been issued, and 8,000 companies in 84 countries are working with Oeko-Tex to test their products for potentially harmful substances. For information, visit www.Oeko-Tex.com.