The use of active chemical products (ACPs) is generally forbidden for textiles certified in accordance with OEKO-TEX®. One exception is, for example, flame-retardant materials for which the use of ACPs is unavoidable. However, only those ACPs that have been tested and assessed as being harmless to human health are permitted for OEKO-TEX® certification.
ACPs are modified polymers, preparations and chemical substances used in the textile industry. ACPs are either already integrated in fibre production or added during a later phase of textile manufacture. With regard to ACPs, OEKO-TEX® differentiates mainly between biologically active substances / biocides and flame-retardant substances. Biologically active fibre materials can be part of odour-preventing or antimicrobial textiles. Clothing with a flame-retardant finish is used in fire service uniforms, for example.
OEKO-TEX® only includes those ACPs in the list of accepted substances if they have been checked by accredited toxicologists and assessed as being harmless to human health. The prerequisite is that the ACPs are used as intended. The safety assessments by the toxicology institute are based on the information and formulas from the manufacturer and are compliant with current European legislation. If new scientific findings come to light which question the safety of a substance with regard to health, OEKO-TEX® reserves the right to remove the ACP in question from the list.
