What Does Oeko-Tex Certified Mean & Why is it Important?

Today’s modern consumers are more conscious about the products they purchase, especially in terms of where they come from and how they’re made. This new standard has encouraged many reputable manufacturers to implement more ethical and sustainable practices in terms of sourcing and production. If you’ve recently purchased new bedding that says it’s Oeko-Tex certified, you may wonder exactly what that means, and why it might be important to you.

The Oeko-Tex Association is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and has been in existence since 1992. Today. Oeko-Tex operates in over 40 different countries across the globe. Some examples of Oeko-Tex certifications and standards include Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Oeko-Tex Standard 1000, which are important labels to have on products in terms of consumer safety and well-being. This world-renowned label is now a hallmark for product safety and social responsibility, and it’s what makes Oeko-Tex bedding and other certified products stand apart from other products on the market today.

If you’re wondering what is Oeko-Tex, and why it is important, we have some key details to share with you. You may also wonder whether Oeko-Tex-certified products are different or better than organic products. Read on to discover more about these important certifications, and what they mean to you as a consumer.

What is Oeko-Tex?

First, let’s start with what is Oeko-Tex. The International Oeko-Tex Association began in Switzerland back in 1992 as a response to growing concerns about product safety. The organization introduced its most famous certification in 1992: the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Any product with this label is free of over 100 substances that are known to be harmful and dangerous not just to consumers, but also to the environment. Every component of Oeko-Tex products is thoroughly tested, which includes everything from zippers, buttons, and linings to special coatings applied to certain finished products. Each of these components is tested separately for the same chemicals to confirm that nothing harmful is included in the product being sold.

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What is Oeko-Tex certified?

When a product receives the Oeko-Tex certified label, it means that it’s completely free of these specific chemicals and toxins. It’s a product that has been fully tested and guaranteed safe for use after being tested by the association and its laboratories. Every year, the criteria for the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 are reviewed and updated, and it’s a universal standard that applies to everything made and sold across the globe, regardless of the nation of origin. Any company that wants to sell Oeko-Tex bedding and other certified products do so voluntarily. A total of 18 labs located around the world test the products, and all manufacturers must re-apply to update their certifications every 12 months.

Why is Oeko-Tex testing and certification important?

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The toxins found on some textiles, including towels, bedding, and clothing, can negatively impact your health. When you’re in close contact with these textiles and you breathe in, or if the textiles come into contact with your skin or saliva, these chemicals can get into your body and cause harm to your health. Everything that is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified is thoroughly tested for harmful substances that could harm your health. The certification confirms that the products you buy are free of harmful chemicals and other substances.

The label also certifies that every component of the product you purchase, including the fabric, thread, and accessories, is tested against a list of up to 350 different toxic chemicals. The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label is the world’s best-known label for textile safety. The strict standards and methods are constantly updated in order to stay ahead of changes in materials, scientific data, and new technologies to keep you safe. Products bearing the Made in Green by Oeko-Tex label are also tested for harmful substances, but they are also made in environmentally friendly factories in a socially responsible manner. This means that anything coming from a certified supply chain protects its workers, ensures safe working conditions, and is constantly improving healthy labor practices. Every item includes a unique product ID so consumers can research how and where it was manufactured.

Oeko-tex certified bedding

When it comes to bedding and other textiles, it’s important to ensure that the things you’re using are safe. When you purchase items made of Oeko-Tex-certified fabric, like our ultra-soft stonewashed linen bedding, you’re getting products that you can feel confident about using. So, what is Oeko-Tex fabric? It’s any textile that has undergone rigorous testing for harmful toxins like chemicals and heavy metals. You’ll see the certification label on anything that is officially certified by the Oeko-Tex Association, and results are updated every 12 months if the manufacturer requests it.

The Oeko-Tex label also ensures that the manufacturing process of each product is done in an environmentally safe way that is also safe for workers. The official certification is in accordance with tests that use intense criteria that look for heavy metals, pesticides, phthalates, and formaldehyde. The information is broken down into different classes, which depend on how much of your skin comes in contact with the product. For example, bedding is part of Oeko-Tex’s second product class, which also includes any product that comes into direct contact with the skin, like t-shirts or undergarments. If you’re looking for bedding that you will feel completely safe using, then seek out sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and more that bear the official Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified label.

Oeko-Tex Bedding vs Organic Bedding

Now, you may also wonder what the difference is between Oeko-Tex bedding and organic bedding. In basic terms, organic bedding is listed as such based on how the raw materials for the fabric are grown and harvested. Oeko-Tex bedding is focused on how the fabric is processed, which may include components like dyes, finishes, or the makeup of features like trim or buttons. All Oeko-Tex-certified bedding is completely free of harmful chemicals and is considered safe for human (and animal) use. When you purchase organic bedding, it means that the textile and fabric products are grown according to strict guidelines regarding the use of things like pesticides, synthetic products, and harmful petroleum-based fertilizers.

While organic bedding and other fabric can be Oeko-Tex certified, it’s not always the case. Alternatively, not all Oeko-Tex-certified bedding is organic. Any fabric like wool, hemp, cotton, linen, and other natural fabrics must be grown and produced under very specific standards in order to be certified organic. No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides can be used to grow or produce the textiles. It must also meet specific fiber production and processing standards like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or other guidelines. Oeko-Tex is a global standard, so it’s the same across all countries, while organic certification may vary based on where it’s produced. Remember that organic fabric isn’t always tested for harmful substances the same way that the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification tests them. As a consumer, look for bedding that is both organic and Oeko-Tex certified for peace of mind.