PFAS are measured in two different ways at OEKO-TEX®. First, our laboratories are testing for specific, legally restricted PFAS such as PFOA and PFOS. Second, a general test for all PFAS has been put into place at OEKO-TEX®, recently. All PFAS chemicals contain fluorine which can be detected via a lab test called “total fluorine (TF) test”. This is why we recently introduced a limit value for total fluorine as an indicator for the presence of PFAS. At OEKO-TEX®, our goal is to strictly prevent the intentional use of PFAS. The TF limit value is tested for all types of OEKO-TEX® certificates and is compliant with the latest international regulations.
However, this TF test also measures fluorine present in non-PFAS sources such as fluorine-based dyes, which are not considered a threat to human health or the environment. The goal of this TF limit value is not to forbid the use of all fluorine sources in textiles, but rather to ban the intentional use of PFAS.
PFAS are persistent in the environment due to their low biodegradability and can remain intact for many years. This is why they are often referred to as “forever chemicals”. Moreover, they are easily distributed in water, so that today PFAS are found even in the most remote regions of our planet. This can lead to accumulation of PFAS in drinking water and ultimately along the food chain, which is where PFAS can directly affect human health. Nowadays, PFAS can unfortunately be detected in many foods, in wildlife and in the body of the vast majority of the population in developed countries. PFAS have been linked to severe adverse effect on fauna, flora and human health such as affecting hormonal systems, causing defects and cancer, amongst others. Many PFAS are therefore already regulated by many countries including the EU, the USA and Canada.
The time until you receive a OEKO-TEX® certification will vary depending on many different factors including: standard, number of components, number of sites, location, complexity of facilities, time needed to audit, and more.
The time for a OEKO-TEX® product certification (STANDARD 100, ORGANIC COTTON, LEATHER STANDARD) depends on individual factors. You can influence these factors by good preparation - with information and documents as complete as possible, e.g. within the scope of your certification application. The testing institute will then be able to discuss the specific testing effort and the resulting time requirements with you.
For a OEKO-TEX® company certification (STeP & RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS) an average period of at least three to six months can be expected from the time of application, data collection and evaluation to the audit and issue of the certificate. The actual period of time, however, crucially depends on how long the facility will take to complete the online assessment.
For OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT an average period of at least three months can be expected from the time of application, data collection and evaluation to the audit and issue of the certificate. The actual period of time, however, crucially depends on how long the facility will take to provide all relevant documentation, samples and how long it takes to answer the assessment questionnaire.
A OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label can be issued immediately. On average it takes only a few days provided that the conditions regarding MADE IN GREEN are fulfilled, the relevant certificates (STANDARD 100, LEATHER STANDARD, STeP) are already valid and the suppliers accept your requests immediately.
Contact the institute in your region to receive a customized time estimation.
The cost of certification will vary depending on many different factors including: standard, number of component, number of sites, location, complexity of facilities, time needed to audit, and more.
The cost for a OEKO-TEX® product certification (STANDARD 100, ORGANIC COTTON & LEATHER STANDARD) comprise of the costs for the licence, the compulsory company audit and the laboratory and administrative tests. The precise costs for harmful-substance testing are based on the testing expenses for the respective textile product or material and can be obtained within the context of a cost estimate with the appointed OEKO-TEX® institute. Through the use of already certified source materials, the financial costs for the laboratory tests can be reduced significantly, so that duplicated tests are not necessary. At the individual stages of production, only new additions are tested.
The costs for a OEKO-TEX® company certification (STeP & RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS) consist of a basic certification fee plus additional costs. The additional cost depend on the size and the processes of the company, the support during and evaluation of the online assessment, the preparation, execution and documentation of the audit, the issuing of the certificate and the travel expenses for the auditor.
The cost for the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification comprise of the costs for the licence, the laboratory and administrative tests as well as the Self-Assessment and an On-Site Visit. The exact costs are calculated by a basic certification fee plus additional costs which depend on the amount and type of products which are to be certified, the test criteria specific to the products, the support during the application, the disclosure level, the evaluation of the assessment, the quality of the samples the preparation, execution and documentation of the voluntary On-Site Visit and the issuing of the certificate.
A OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label can be obtained free of cost. Administrative costs for customer support may be charged by the supervising institute. However, the use of the OEKO-TEX® Connect platform, the MADE IN GREEN dashboard, and label issue remain free of charge. Please consult your institute for further details.
Contact the institute in your region to receive a quotation or browse here to see an licence fee overview.
These are different options to certify organic cotton to ensure transparency and clear communication towards the end consumers. In those certificates the following products can be certified:
| ORGANIC COTTON | ORGANIC COTTON Blended | STANDARD 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Materials or products made of 100% organic cotton. The certification can be communicated with the OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON label. | Materials and products made of at least 70% organic cotton. The certification can be communicated with the OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON Blended label. | Any product that contains less than 70% organic cotton. All the cotton must be certified according to OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON. The certification can be communicated with the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label, stating organic cotton in the certificate text. |
Mixtures of organic and conventional cotton are forbidden in all three certificates mentioned above.
Yes, OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified chemicals are compliant with all product classes of STANDARD 100 (see ANNEX 4 & 6). While restrictions may apply under certain circumstances, transparent information is provided. Final textiles and leathers must undergo verification to ensure adherence to specified parameters.
OEKO-TEX® acknowledges the value of confidential chemical recipes, including bills of substances (BoS). However, OEKO-TEX® mandates the publication of all constituent substances, known contaminants, or by-products regulated by OEKO-TEX® or classified as hazardous per GHS or REACH (article 57) regulation. Declaring all constituent substances and contaminants reduces testing effort and certification process costs. The information provided by chemical producers is encrypted and stored securely by the certifying institute and OEKO-TEX®.
No. The OEKO-TEX® STeP label with your individual certificate number should not be used for product labeling. According to our terms of use, the STeP label is only permitted for B2B communication. For more details on the STeP label and consumer labels like OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, and OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD, refer to our OEKO-TEX® Labelling Guide.
Yes, if your company doesn't manufacture textile or leather goods but your suppliers meet MADE IN GREEN conditions, you can issue MADE IN GREEN labels. Brands and retailers can re-label their supplier’s MADE IN GREEN product ID under their own name, provided all requirements in the MADE IN GREEN Standard are fulfilled.
Certification with OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT or inclusion in the ACP-List of OEKO-TEX® allows referencing OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 or other applicable standards. Without this certification or listing, OEKO-TEX® cannot verify the chemical's suitability. In such cases, using OEKO-TEX® marks in any form related to specific products is prohibited by the chemical manufacturer or seller.
However, if a chemical manufacturer or seller chooses to refer to OEKO-TEX® standards via text, it is considered a self-declaration. The manufacturer or seller must highlight any "self-declarations" regarding suitability to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 as an "unverified self-declaration." Such claims cannot be perceived as made on behalf of OEKO-TEX®, and OEKO-TEX® assumes no liability.
