EmpCo Recommendation
This section of the Labelling Guide contains written and visual representations of the OEKO-TEX® labels and logos. These are recommendations for using the OEKO-TEX® product brand logos (trademarks) and labels to ensure communication is legally compliant under Directive (EU) 2024/825 (‘EmpCo-Directive’).
Please note that these examples do not claim to guarantee legal compliance in every individual case, especially if different words / phrases are used. It is in the responsibility of companies to ensure compliance with legal requirements in every individual case.
Label and logo usage for certified products
OEKO-TEX® customers with a valid certificate as well as distributors or retailers who carry at least one product with a valid OEKO-TEX® standard certificate are permitted to use the product related label.
Label structure
OEKO-TEX® provides the label as a communication tool for certified products.
All OEKO-TEX® labels must include the following elements:
a. OEKO-TEX® product brand logo
b. Traceability Information (Testing Institute + Certificate number or QR-Code)
The modular construction allows the following elements to be added to the label:
c. Testing institute if QR-Code is already shown.
d. Label number if QR-Code is already shown.
e. QR-Code if label number is already shown.
f. OEKO-TEX® website
Label as communication tool on products and product marketing
To advertise an OEKO-TEX® certificate, the product must be correctly labelled on the physical product. The label may be placed on product and/or product packaging.
Furthermore, the label must be within immediate visibility to the advertised product on marketing materials (e.g. brochures) and in online shops. When promoting one or more certified products, the label shall be positioned so that it is clearly identifiable which products are certified.
If the layout or visual design does not allow for clear identification of the certified products, additional clarification shall be provided to ensure an unambiguous assignment.
The following section shows examples of compliant product-related communication.
Explanation: An OEKO-TEX® label is used multiple times: once for each certified product. The design also makes it clear which products the label refers to. It must be immediately clear for consumers which product is certified and which is not.
OEKO-TEX® product brand logo usage without direct reference to labelled products
General use of a product brand logo without a direct reference to specific OEKO-TEX®-certified products is not recommended. It shall not be given the impression that a) the company, b) the entire product assortment (if this is not the case), or c) a product that is not covered by the certification, is certified. To promote your OEKO-TEX® certified products and to avoid misleading consumers, it is advisable to use the product brand logo with the addition “We carry products bearing the label” in combination with appropriate information specifying which specific products are certified.
Please send your requests for product brand logo usage and approval to the OEKO-TEX® secretariat: communication@oeko-tex.com.
Use of the label and logo by third parties (e.g. retailers)
The sale and promotion of OEKO-TEX®-certified products by third parties, such as retailers or related companies, is permitted without the need to conclude a separate licence agreement. To this end, the certificate or label owner must require companies through which they distribute products to use the label only in accordance with the terms of their licence agreement, in particular only in accordance with the applicable Labelling Guide.
Furthermore, the retailer as a company must not give the impression that they themselves are certified to an OEKO-TEX® standard.