No. There are no changes to the applicable OEKO-TEX® requirements for on-product communication, packaging or product marketing. Please refer to the EmpCo section of the Labelling Guide for further guidance.

Yes, pre-approved standard wordings are available. Please refer to the Labelling Guide for the recommended wording and guidance on how to use it.

OEKO-TEX® has addressed the EmpCo requirements through a number of concrete governance measures, including: 

• the conversion of the limited liability company (GmbH) into a corporation (AG), together with a new Statute of Independence;
• the establishment of an Independence Council and an anonymous whistleblowing system;
• an accreditation agreement with annexes aligned with ISO/IEC 17065; and
• the Board of Directors as the highest decision-making body. 

The OEKO-TEX® governance implemented in August 2026 clearly separates standard-setting from conformity assessment and anchors independence institutionally. This includes, among other measures, 

• an Independence Statute,
• an Independence Council,
• an anonymous whistleblowing system,
• and ISO-aligned requirements for conformity assessment. 
   

EmpCo enters into force on 27 September 2026 and sets out more precisely the requirements for certification schemes underpinning sustainability labels. OEKO-TEX® is taking this as an opportunity to further strengthen its governance and ensure that its certification system meets these requirements in a transparent, demonstrable and forward-looking way. 

There are no changes to day-to-day operations. Testing, auditing and certification processes continue as before. What is strengthened is the demonstrable independence of the system as the basis for legally sound and credible sustainability communication.

Yes, without any restrictions. The OEKO-TEX® governance reorganisation implemented in August 2026 ensures that the relevant OEKO-TEX® labels meet the requirements of the EmpCo Directive and can continue to be used after 27 September 2026. There are no limitations for customers and partners in using the labels.

Yes. OEKO-TEX® meets the requirements EmpCo sets for a certification scheme. This entails: 

• clear rules for open access and fair, non-discriminatory conditions;
• robust procedures for non-compliance and withdrawal; and
• an institutionally anchored, transparent and verifiable independence of conformity assessment. 

The limit & threshold values of the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT are compliant with the relevant entries of appendix XVII and appendix XIV of the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).

All substances with textile and leather relevance from European Chemical Agency’s candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC) are covered by the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT and are thus ensuring that no communication duties are necessary along the supply chain regarding the SVHC substances. 

Compliance is also insured with the regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European parliament and of the council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (POPs regulation).

Furthermore OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT is recognized by ZDHC and is compliant with the newest MRSL and guidelines for levels 1-3.

Lastly, the OEKO-TEX® team is regularly monitoring the AFIRM (Apparel and Footwear International RSL (Restricted substance list) Management Group), as well as other relevant legal regulations and stakeholder MRSL/RSL lists.

The implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been postponed by 12 months to give Member States, economic operators and trading partners additional time to prepare. 

Traceability and transparency of supply chains ensure that leather products do not contribute to deforestation. In view of the upcoming legal guidelines, we believe it is important to implement the necessary measures and make a proactive contribution. 

From January 2025, OEKO-TEX® will maintain the proof of origin as part of the OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD certification. 

This proof of origin will be mandatory for all hides, skins and finished leather from cows or calves. To prove the origin of these items, it is sufficient to present invoices from slaughterhouses or import invoices, which contain, for example, information about the origin.  For all leather products (e.g. bags or gloves) and for items made from other animals, specifying the origin is optional.