Have you ever wondered what makes some fabrics safer or more sustainable than others? You might have noticed a tag that says “Oeko-Tex Certified” and wondered what it really means.
Simply put, Oeko-Tex certification is your assurance that the fabric you’re wearing, sitting on, or decorating with is safe. Not just for you, but for the planet too.
It means no harmful chemicals, no hidden toxins, and no compromises on comfort or quality.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Oeko-Tex certification is, why it’s trusted around the world, and how it’s shaping the future of sustainable design, from fashion to furniture and everything in between.
What is Oeko-Tex Certified?
Oeko-Tex Certified means that a textile product has undergone testing and verified to be free from harmful substances, ensuring it is safe for human use.
The certification is issued by the International Oeko-Tex Association. It is a leading organisation that promotes safe and sustainable textile and leather production.
Every Oeko-Tex label is a mark of trust, transparency, and quality. It confirms that the product meets strict international safety and environmental standards.
Fabrics and materials undergo rigorous laboratory testing and must comply with limits that often go beyond national and international legal requirements.
This makes Oeko-Tex one of the most respected certifications in the industry.
Read more: Why High-Performance Fabric is the Smartest Choice for Sofas
What are the Different Types of Oeko-Tex Certifications?
Oeko-Tex offers several certification systems. They ensure safety, sustainability, and ethical practices at every stage of the textile supply chain:
1. Oeko-Tex Standard 100
The most widely recognized certification under the Oeko-Tex system is Standard 100.
This label ensures that every component of a textile product is safe for human use. From the fabric and thread to buttons, zippers, and coatings, manufacturers test everything for harmful substances.
Products are categorised based on their intended purpose. Plus, items that come into close or prolonged contact with the skin have stricter testing requirements.
For instance, textiles designed for babies and infants must meet the highest safety standards. This is to ensure complete peace of mind for parents and manufacturers alike.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is ideal for a wide range of finished textiles, fabrics, and accessories. Examples include clothing, upholstery, bedding, curtains, and other soft furnishings used in homes and commercial spaces.
It represents a global benchmark for product safety, quality, and trust in the textile industry.
2. Oeko-Tex Made in Green
The Made in Green label takes textile certification a step further by verifying not just product safety but also the environmental and social responsibility behind its production.
This certification ensures that textile manufacturers adhere to eco-friendly conditions and ethical labour practices. It offers a complete picture of sustainability throughout the supply chain.
Each product that carries the Made in Green label features a unique QR code that consumers can scan to trace its journey. This reveals where and how it was made.
It is a level of transparency that helps build trust between brands and consumers. Thus empowering more informed and responsible purchasing decisions.
The Made in Green certification is ideal for brands and manufacturers dedicated to transparency, sustainability, and accountability. It will set them apart as leaders in responsible textile production.
3. Oeko-Tex Leather Standard
The Leather Standard by Oeko-Tex applies specifically to leather goods and products that contain leather, ensuring they are thoroughly tested and verified to be free from harmful substances.
This certification follows the same rigorous testing principles as the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 but is specially adapted to meet the unique requirements of leather production.
Through this process, every component of a leather product, from the surface finish to the dyes and treatments used, is examined for safety and quality.
The Leather Standard is ideal for leather furniture, footwear, accessories, and automotive interiors, offering both manufacturers and consumers confidence in the product’s safety, durability, and environmental integrity.
4. Oeko-Tex STeP (Sustainable Textile & Leather Production)
The STeP (Sustainable Textile and Leather Production) certification focuses on evaluating entire production facilities rather than individual products.
It provides a comprehensive assessment of a company’s sustainability performance, examining key areas such as chemical management, environmental protection, social responsibility, and workplace safety.
By achieving STeP certification, manufacturers and suppliers demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainable and ethical production practices.
This certification is ideal for businesses seeking to build transparency, credibility, and trust by showing that their operations meet internationally recognized environmental and social standards.
5. Oeko-Tex Eco Passport
Chemical manufacturers and suppliers in the textile and leather industries follow the Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex is a certification.
It verifies that the processing chemicals, dyes, and auxiliaries they produce meet Oeko-Tex’s rigorous standards for sustainability, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Through a detailed analysis and testing process, the Eco Passport ensures that the textile and leather production process only uses non-hazardous and environmentally safe substances.
This certification is ideal for chemical manufacturers who want to create safe, sustainable, and high-quality materials that support cleaner and more responsible supply chains.
6. Oeko-Tex Detox to Zero
The Oeko-Tex Detox to Zero verification supports manufacturing facilities in their efforts to reduce and eliminate hazardous substances from production processes.
It provides a structured system for monitoring and improving chemical management, helping companies move toward safer, more sustainable manufacturing practices.
This program aligns closely with Greenpeace’s Detox Campaign, which advocates for cleaner and toxin-free production within the global textile industry.
By following Detox to Zero guidelines, manufacturers can demonstrate transparency and accountability while continuously improving their environmental performance.
This verification is ideal for textile producers who practice responsible chemical management and strive to make measurable progress toward a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable supply chain.
Read more: 6 Best Eco-Friendly Vegan Leather Options for You
Why Choose Oeko-Tex Certified Fabrics
Opting for Oeko-Tex Certified fabrics ensures peace of mind for consumers, designers, and manufacturers alike. It means:
- Safety: Guaranteed freedom from harmful chemicals.
- Sustainability: Environmentally friendly manufacturing and responsible resource use.
- Transparency: Traceable supply chains and ethical production practices.
- Trust: A globally recognised standard backed by independent testing.
In a world where people are becoming more conscious of what they wear and bring into their homes, Oeko-Tex certification represents a promise: that the fabric touching your skin is safe, sustainable, and responsibly made.
Read more: Sunproof Outdoor Fabric: Should You Get It?
Oeko-Tex Certified Fabrics You Can Trust
Today, sustainability and safety take centre stage in modern design. As a result, being Oeko-Tex certified stands as a mark of quality, integrity, and trust.
It ensures that every fibre meets the highest standards for safety, performance, and environmental care.
At Kintex, we uphold these same values. As a premier outdoor fabric supplier in Malaysia, we strive to provide outdoor fabrics that combine seamless style with unmatched durability.
Our SUNPROOF collection is made from Oeko-Tex certified and 100% recyclable materials. It withstands natural weather conditions and meets international standards for colour fastness, water repellency, and UV resistance.
