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Streamlining and Strenghtening our Standards

What is changing?

We are refining our certification framework across STANDARD 100 and ORGANIC COTTON by reworking limit values, eliminating Annexes to reduce complexity and consolidating product classes. These improvements to our certification and testing process will come into effect in June 2026.

These are the key changes:

Discontinuation of Annex 4 and Annex 6 to reduce complexity
Consolidation from 4 product classes to 3 contact types for simplified classification
Reworked limit values tailored to the 3 contact types, improving consistency and clarity

The new classification

Contact type I: sensitive

Intended use: Products for babies and children up to 10 years of age, including crawling mats, toys, and baby essentials, as well as hygienic and sanitary products such as tampons, menstrual underwear, and bandages
Limit values: Former Annex 6 product class I limit values with a ban of the use of biologically active substances

Contact type II: close

Intended use: Close contact materials, including apparel, footwear, bed linen, matresses, pillows and yoga mats
Limit values: Combination of former Annex 4 product class I and Annex 6 product class II

Contact type III: limited

Intended use: Home / Decoration materials, including rugs, tablecloth and roller blinds
Limit values: Combination of former Annex 4 and Annex 6 product class IV

Why does it matter?

This measure enhance credibility, improves efficiency for stakeholders and ensures our certifications remain robust, transparent and easier to apply across the textile and leather supply chain.

Do you have any questions? Get in touch with your local OEKO-TEX® office or send us an email at info@oeko-tex.com.

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