OEKO-TEX® consists of 17 independent research and test institutes in the field of textile and leather ecology in Europe and Japan with contact offices in more than 60 countries. The partner institutes have joint responsibility for the development of test methods and limit values which form the basis for the following standards:
The independent OEKO-TEX® partner institutes are entitled to conduct appropriate laboratory tests or company audits in accordance with worldwide standardised guidelines. These comprehensive product and process tests guarantee risk management, consumer and environmental protection, as well as legal conformity.
Due to their wide range of activities and core competences in the field of research and development, the partner institutes deliver important boosts to innovation within the textile and leather industry. The OEKO-TEX® institutes carry out their accredited testing processes to suit specific target groups and in close cooperation with the manufacturers. They thus make an important contribution to the development of high-quality textile and leather products at all stages of the value-creation chain.
The International Advisory Board is established to bring a diversified stakeholder expertise and perspective to the OEKO-TEX® Association. It informs the Steering Committee about priorities and strategies that are relevant to the goals of OEKO-TEX® and helps to produce safer products and more sustainable and socially responsible companies. It advises and decides on proposals that have been developed by the OEKO-TEX® Working Groups and submitted by the Steering Committee. In this sense, it plays an important role in the further development of the OEKO-TEX® Standards and has an impact on OEKO-TEX®‘s strategy and operational business.