Meeting textile quality standards with the OEKO-TEX 100 certification
Meeting textile quality standards with the OEKO-TEX 100 certification
The textile industry is currently developing with the most advanced and modern technology, but this has led to the use of harmful substances in fabrics. These chemicals are dangerous to users, especially children. That's why Germany, the International Textile Environment Association, has announced the OEKO-TEX 100 standard, an international safety standard for the textile industry.
The OEKO-TEX 100 standard was introduced in 1992 by the Hohenstein Institute in Germany and the Institute for Ecology, Technology and Innovation OETI (Vienna, Austria). This certification is of great importance to the textile industry. The system consistently checks and certifies raw materials, semi-finished products, and products, including all production stages, for the global textile industry, ensuring that they do not contain harmful substances.
According to the standard, textile inspection includes the search for prohibited substances and chemicals that directly affect health at various levels. All of this is carried out by independent research and testing laboratories that are selected with sufficient expertise. OEKO-TEX 100 aims to limit the number of harmful substances in fibers, yarns, and woven fabrics of all kinds.
After being certified with OEKO-TEX 100, manufacturers can label it for use in their products. Products that meet the OEKO-TEX 100 standard undergo over 100 test criteria, including formaldehyde concentrations, pesticides, heavy metals, and more.
Today, this standard is the world's most popular textile safety standard and is used in over 100 countries. Therefore, this certificate is renewed annually, ensuring product quality before leaving the factory or textile company.
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To get the OEKO-TEX 100 standard, the following conditions must be met:
OEKO-TEX 100 divides textile products into four groups based on material and age of use:
According to the above levels, Level I is the safest, and the safety level decreases gradually to Level IV. The scope and testing requirements for harmful substances under the OEKO-TEX 100 standard depend on the intended use of the textile product.
Currently, countries in the region that export textiles, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, also need to meet this standard. The OEKO-TEX 100 standard is a mandatory requirement and a trend developing worldwide. About 300 textile companies in Vietnam have been certified with this standard.
The OEKO-TEX 100 standard in textiles
The OEKO-TEX 100 standard was introduced in 1992 by the Hohenstein Institute in Germany and the Institute for Ecology, Technology and Innovation OETI (Vienna, Austria). This certification is of great importance to the textile industry. The system consistently checks and certifies raw materials, semi-finished products, and products, including all production stages, for the global textile industry, ensuring that they do not contain harmful substances.According to the standard, textile inspection includes the search for prohibited substances and chemicals that directly affect health at various levels. All of this is carried out by independent research and testing laboratories that are selected with sufficient expertise. OEKO-TEX 100 aims to limit the number of harmful substances in fibers, yarns, and woven fabrics of all kinds.
After being certified with OEKO-TEX 100, manufacturers can label it for use in their products. Products that meet the OEKO-TEX 100 standard undergo over 100 test criteria, including formaldehyde concentrations, pesticides, heavy metals, and more.
Today, this standard is the world's most popular textile safety standard and is used in over 100 countries. Therefore, this certificate is renewed annually, ensuring product quality before leaving the factory or textile company.
Conditions for obtaining OEKO-TEX 100 certification
To get the OEKO-TEX 100 standard, the following conditions must be met:
- The product meets the limits of harmful substances in the production process
- The product meets the wastewater and sewage quality standards
- Efficient energy consumption
- Low dust and noise pollution
- Effective and compliant labor safety
OEKO-TEX 100 divides textile products into four groups based on material and age of use:
- Level I - Products for infants and young children (up to 36 months)
- Level II - Products in direct contact with the skin over an extended period.
- Level III - Textile products that do not come into contact with the skin or come into contact with the skin only briefly.
- Level IV - Furnishing materials for decorative purposes.
According to the above levels, Level I is the safest, and the safety level decreases gradually to Level IV. The scope and testing requirements for harmful substances under the OEKO-TEX 100 standard depend on the intended use of the textile product.
Currently, countries in the region that export textiles, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, also need to meet this standard. The OEKO-TEX 100 standard is a mandatory requirement and a trend developing worldwide. About 300 textile companies in Vietnam have been certified with this standard.