When it comes to babies, safety is non-negotiable. Every fabric, every fiber, every ingredient that touches baby skin must be safe. This principle is crucial for the OEKO-TEX® certification procedures.
Some of the world’s most recognised baby care product brands carry OEKO-TEX® certifications to demonstrate their commitment to safety. Pampers Professional, for example, cooperates with the testing institute Hohenstein Group and has had its unscented diapers certified with the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 since 2017.
“Every parent wants to know that what touches their baby’s skin is safe. As a mom myself, and working at Pampers, I understand that deeply. Through OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification, we want to give parents peace of mind, knowing that Pampers diapers are not only designed with care, but also independently tested to the highest safety standards”, said Pamela Saint Auguste, Senior Scientific Communications Manager at Pampers Professional, and mom of two.
Each year, the certification is renewed and every component of Pampers’ products, from fiber to adhesives, is retested and reapproved according to the latest standards.
Why is baby product testing so special?
Products intended for babies — from bodysuits to diapers — belong to the strictest testing class in the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification. The laboratory tests are based on the intended use of textiles and materials. The more intensive the skin contact and the more sensitive the skin, the stricter the requirements for human ecology. Because babies and young children have particularly sensitive skin, products for this age group (up to 36 months) are subject to especially stringent limit values for potentially harmful substances.
“Babies are far more vulnerable to skin irritation and chemical exposure,” explains Petra Obaro, Product Specialist at the OEKO-TEX® testing institute Hohenstein Group. “That’s why the testing conditions are so rigorous. Every layer, every component, even the non-textile parts, are checked to make sure they meet the highest standards.”
Each diaper, for example, is taken apart piece by piece, from the soft inner padding to the tape fastener, elastic yarn and inks and is analysed by independent OEKO-TEX® testing institutes for over 1,000 different substances. This includes chemicals that are already regulated, as well as substances not yet restricted by law but that OEKO-TEX® monitors proactively as science evolves.
How does OEKO-TEX® define limit values
Every value on the OEKO-TEX® restricted substance list is grounded in proven science. The limit values that define whether a substance is acceptable or not are set through continuous scientific reviews.
These reviews are conducted by various committees, working groups and independent experts such as toxicologists, chemists and textile engineers. Together, they evaluate new findings from research, regulatory updates such as REACH, CPSIA, the ECHA-SVHC candidate list and consumer safety reports to keep the testing criteria compliant with current regulations.
“We constantly update our standards to reflect new knowledge” says Obaro. “Our goal is not only to comply with regulations but to anticipate risks before they become widespread concerns.”
From the laboratory to the label
The certification process follows a clear, globally standardised procedure. Manufacturers submit materials and finished products for testing. Each sample undergoes laboratory analysis using state-of-the-art methods, followed by an On-site visit to inspect and evaluate the company.
Once a product passes all tests, a detailed test report is delivered and an OEKO-TEX® certificate is issued with the validity of one year. After the certification, OEKO-TEX® testing institutes regularly control products through pulling certified items from store shelves on behalf of OEKO-TEX®.
Annual updates of the testing criteria
Each year, OEKO-TEX® updates its testing criteria to stay ahead of the newest scientific findings and global regulations. As new materials and technologies enter the market, OEKO-TEX® continues to develop its methods to ensure that the products we all use remain safe for us and for the next generation.
This cycle of annual renewals keeps the OEKO-TEX® certifications credible for consumers who rely on it.
For more about Pampers’ approach to product safety and transparency, visit Pampers' website.
