What is the OEKO-TEX Certification and what brands use it?
In today’s world, as awareness about the environmental impact of fashion continues to grow, the term “sustainable fashion” has become increasingly relevant. But what does sustainable fashion truly mean? And how can consumers trust that the items they’re purchasing actually meet these sustainable promises? Certifications, like OEKO-TEX, play a critical role in helping consumers navigate these questions and make more informed choices.
If you’ve read my post about GOTS certification, you know that transparency in the fashion industry is essential to creating a sustainable future. While GOTS focuses on organic textiles, OEKO-TEX is unique in that it addresses the safety of the textiles themselves, ensuring they are free from harmful chemicals that could be dangerous to both humans and the environment. I’ll expand on what OEKO-TEX certification is, why it’s important, and which sustainable fashion brands carry this certification. Let’s go!
UNDERSTANDING OEKO-TEX CERTIFICATION: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The OEKO-TEX® certification system is a globally recognized standard developed by the International Association for Research and Testing and is a label for textiles tested for harmful substances. There are different types of OEKO-TEX certifications, each addressing a specific area of textile production and safety.
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®: This is the most common certification and indicates that every component of a textile product, from fabrics to threads, has been tested for harmful substances. It’s especially popular in apparel and baby clothing due to its stringent safety criteria.
MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®: This certification not only ensures the textile is safe but also verifies that the product was made using sustainable processes in environmentally friendly facilities with safe and socially responsible working conditions.
LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX®: This standard applies specifically to leather products, ensuring they’re free from harmful chemicals and produced responsibly.
DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX®: This certification helps companies eliminate harmful chemicals from their production processes, aligning with Greenpeace’s Detox Campaign to prevent water pollution.
ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX®: This certification applies to chemical substances used in textile and leather production, ensuring they meet high environmental and safety standards.
VERIFIED ORGANIC COTTON: this certification tests for harmful substances, genetically modified cotton, and pesticides, and ensures traceability.
WHY IS OEKO-TEX CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING?
OEKO-TEX certifications provide a level of assurance for consumers that they’re purchasing safe, non-toxic textiles, which is a crucial step toward creating a more sustainable lifestyle. Here’s how OEKO-TEX certification benefits consumers and the environment:
Protecting Human Health: Fashion items are often in direct contact with our skin, which can absorb chemicals from untreated or poorly regulated fabrics. OEKO-TEX-certified products are rigorously tested for over 300 harmful substances, including formaldehyde, pesticides, heavy metals, and phthalates, reducing health risks for consumers.
Reducing Environmental Impact: Many harmful chemicals used in textile production can have long-term effects on water, soil, and air quality. OEKO-TEX encourages the reduction of toxic substances, ultimately helping to preserve ecosystems and reduce pollution.
Encouraging Responsible Production: The MADE IN GREEN label, in particular, offers a supply chain traceability tool. This feature lets consumers track their product's origin, helping hold companies accountable for their production methods.
Supporting Safer Work Environments: The OEKO-TEX system promotes ethical practices, which include safer working conditions for laborers. By ensuring that hazardous chemicals are avoided, workers face fewer health risks in factories, which is a critical element of sustainable and ethical production.
OEKO-TEX VS. OTHER CERTIFICATIONS: A COMPLEMENTARY ROLE
While GOTS certification ensures textiles are organic and produced sustainably, OEKO-TEX certification primarily focuses on chemical safety and consumer health. For example, a garment can be both GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified, indicating that it’s not only organic but also free from harmful chemicals. Together, these certifications create a comprehensive approach to sustainable fashion by covering both environmental impact and human health.
8 SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRANDS WITH OEKO-TEX CERTIFICATION
If you’re interested in integrating more sustainable fashion brands into your wardrobe, here are a few OEKO-TEX-certified brands that are making a difference:
Patagonia: Known for its commitment to environmental and social responsibility, Patagonia offers OEKO-TEX-certified products and prioritizes sustainable materials in its designs.
Tentree: This brand not only plants ten trees for every item purchased but also ensures many of their products are OEKO-TEX certified, adding an extra layer of eco-friendliness and safety.
Outerknown: Outerknown is a sustainable fashion brand committed to ethical practices. They prioritize eco-friendly materials and transparent production. Their OEKO-TEX certification ensures their fabrics are tested for harmful substances, promoting safety and sustainability in their clothing.
Organic Basics: Organic Basics is a sustainable brand focusing on timeless, eco-friendly essentials. They emphasize quality, durability, and ethical production. With OEKO-TEX certification, their materials are rigorously tested for harmful substances, ensuring safety and sustainability in every piece.
Pact: Pact is a sustainable brand dedicated to producing ethical, eco-friendly clothing. They use organic cotton and prioritize fair labor practices. Their OEKO-TEX certification ensures their fabrics are free from harmful chemicals, promoting safety and environmental responsibility.
Kotn: a purpose-driven brand blending sustainability with style. Focused on responsibly sourced cotton and ethical craftsmanship, they ensure their fabrics meet OEKO-TEX standards, offering garments free from harmful chemicals while supporting fair and transparent production.
Girlfriend Collective: Girlfriend Collective champions sustainability through vibrant, inclusive activewear made from recycled materials. Their commitment to eco-conscious practices extends to OEKO-TEX certification, ensuring their fabrics are safe, non-toxic, and kind to both people and the planet.
Asket: Asket focuses on timeless wardrobe essentials crafted with sustainability and transparency in mind. All their cotton jersey and cotton or linen woven fabrics mills are at least GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified
HOW TO SHOP FOR OEKO-TEX-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
When shopping for fashion items, look for the OEKO-TEX label on product tags or descriptions. If you’re shopping online, most brands will indicate OEKO-TEX certification in the product details. Alternatively, you can visit the OEKO-TEX website to search for certified brands and products, ensuring your purchases meet rigorous safety standards.
Integrating OEKO-TEX-certified items into your wardrobe is a small but impactful step toward living more sustainably. By supporting brands that prioritize consumer safety, environmental health, and ethical production, you contribute to a fashion industry that respects both people and the planet.
Remember, sustainable living isn’t about perfection—it’s about making conscious, thoughtful choices. When you choose OEKO-TEX-certified products, you’re not only protecting yourself and your family from harmful chemicals but also supporting a more responsible, transparent fashion industry, and a cleaner environment.
As consumers, our power lies in the choices we make every day. Certifications like OEKO-TEX and GOTS make it easier for us to make informed decisions and support companies that are genuinely committed to sustainability. By prioritizing certifications, we can actively participate in creating a more sustainable world, one garment at a time.
I believe certifications are super convenient for us, consumers, but sometimes we need to know more about them in order to truly understand what they stand for. Have you heard about the OEKO-TEX certification before? Do you buy OEKO-TEX-certified products? Let me know in the comments below.
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Hi, I’m Melina,
I’m the creator of Sustainable Rookie, and my goal is to share what I learn throughout my sustainability journey, so that I can help other people live a more conscious life.
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