As OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT marks its tenth anniversary, with a record of over 65,000 certified products, 2,125 certificates and 1,400 customers across more than 50 countries, OEKO-TEX® is publishing a detailed analysis of laboratory findings from its testing parameters.
By identifying which parameters most frequently exceed threshold values, and which product groups are most affected, OEKO-TEX® aims to support manufacturers in meeting rigorous safety standards while driving greater accountability and innovation across the textile, leather and chemical industries.
What testing reveals: 2025 laboratory data
Test data from OEKO-TEX® 2025 laboratory evaluation illustrates both the value and the complexity of independent chemical testing. Certain dye types, particularly disperse dyes and vat and sulphur dyes, continue to record a high volume of failed tests across multiple parameters, including quinoline, aniline and dimethyl fumarate (DMFU). These findings are not atypical for the sector, but they demonstrate why analytical testing remains essential.
On PFAS, ECO PASSPORT findings remain low, though the laboratories are recording an increased presence of total fluorine. OEKO-TEX® has developed a new differentiation method to determine whether detected fluorine originates from PFAS or non-PFAS sources – a methodological advance that will provide greater clarity as regulatory scrutiny of fluorinated compounds intensifies.
Detailed statistics from the 2025 laboratory evaluation are available here.
Greener chemistry: from compliance to competitive advantage
Greener chemistry is not simply a matter of substituting one substance for another. True progress requires examining entire production processes – from raw material purity and energy efficiency to wastewater management and end-of-life degradability. “Chemical transparency is no longer a voluntary ambition. It is becoming a legal obligation,” notes OEKO-TEX® CEO Dr. Alfred J. Beerli. “ECO PASSPORT supports this systemic view by requiring certificate holders to maintain quality management systems, provide personnel with appropriate training and ensure responsible waste disposal.”
Transparency is the mechanism that makes greener chemistry actionable. Without verified, independently confirmed information about chemical composition and performance, neither manufacturers nor brands can make informed purchasing decisions. The certification is particularly well established in key production markets: China and India together account for approximately two-thirds of OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certificates globally, reflecting the standard’s relevance where production volumes and chemical usage are greatest.
A decade of growth, a future shaped by regulation
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT has grown substantially since its introduction and development continues. Recent enhancements include biodegradability assessment criteria and deeper integration with digital platforms such as ZDHC Gateway and The BHive®. “Over the next decade, credible, independently verified evidence of safe chemistry will be indispensable,” says Dr. Beerli. “The standard's development cycle ensure it keeps pace with evolving compliance imperatives.”
With ten years of market experience, ECO PASSPORT is positioned as cornerstone infrastructure for the industry’s transition to responsible chemical management.
About OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT
Launched a decade ago, OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT addresses one of the industry's most persistent challenges: verifying that chemicals used in textile and leather production are safe before they reach the factory floor. Rather than relying on ingredient declarations or CAS number screening alone, ECO PASSPORT mandates independent analytical laboratory testing. The certification is backed by our testing institutes and covers compliance with ECHA-SVHC, EU REACH, EU POP and ZDHC MRSL 3.1.
Continually updated to reflect on the latest scientific and legislative developments, it provides companies with independently verified proof that their chemistry is safe and compliant. Certified products are listed on the OEKO-TEX® buying guide, ZDHC Gateway and The BHive®. ECO PASSPORT serves as a recognised pre-certification for OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, LEATHER STANDARD and ORGANIC COTTON.
