What is Oeko-Tex?
In this article, we'll explain what Oeko-Tex is, how it works, and where to find the label on your bedding. Oeko-tex standard is one of the world's best-known labels for textiles designed with consumer safety in mind.
It's a global certification system that certifies that a textile meets limit values for harmful substances and chemicals, such as azo dyes, nickel, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol and cadmium.
The certification process goes beyond what most other eco-friendly labeling organizations do by testing every step of a textile's life, from raw materials to dying and printing, right down to the buttons, sewing thread, zippers, and other accessories on your clothing or bedding.
So you can be sure that your bed linen or clothes are not only made of eco-friendly fabric but that the manufacturing process, as well as the end product, is tested and safe.
What Articles Can Be Oeko Tex Certified?
Oeko Tex is used to certify different types of textile products. It can certify the following:
What Are Oeko-Tex Product Classes?
Oeko Tex certification is divided into four classes, depending on the intensity of skin contact with textile to ensure product safety for end-users. The classes are as follows:
Product Class I: Textiles intended to come into direct contact with babies' and toddlers' skin, such as baby clothes and bedding.
Product Class II: Textiles that often come into direct contact with the skin, such as underwear, shirts, and blouses
Product Class III: Textiles that come into contact with the skin to a minor extent, such as jackets and coats
Product Class IV: Home textiles, such as table linen, curtains, and upholstery fabrics.
What Is the Difference between Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Oeko-Tex Standard 1000?
Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex differs from Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 in that Standard 100 is a testing and certification system for textile products, while Standard 1000 certifies the manufacturing facilities of those products exclusively.
Oeko-Tex vs. GOTS Certification
While Oeko-Tex certification ensures that the fabric is free from harmful chemicals, whether organic or not, GOTS is an organic certification that also ensures the fabric was grown organically following sustainable textile production practices.
Therefore, GOTS is more beneficial for our planet because it reduces the use of pesticides in growing cotton and other fabric crops. Organic fabrics are also better for the environment because organic cotton normally grows in areas where water conservation is important.
GOTS certified fabrics are also better for us as consumers. GOTS certified bedding has been tested to ensure that they are free from 100+ harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and heavy metals. Oeko-Tex certification only ensures that very limited amounts of substances dangerous to human health have been used in the manufacturing process of the certified products.
Best Oeko-Tex Certified Mattresses
Eco Terra Mattress
$749
Mattress Type: Hybrid Mattress
Certificates: Oeko-Tex and GOTS
Material: Talalay Latex
Warranty: 15 Years
Sleep Trial: 90 Nights
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
EcoTerra: EcoTerra is an American company that makes Oeko-Tex certified organic latex hybrid mattresses. These quality mattresses are made with only natural materials and they´re available in two comfort levels: firm and medium firm.
Brentwood Home:
Latex for Less: This company makes afrodable organic latex matrresses with GOTS and Oeko-Tex certificates. This flippable mattress has two firmness levels, one of each side, so you can easily find the comfort you're looking for.
Best Oeko-Tex Certified Bed Linen
Organic Textiles: Organic Textiles can help you sleep easy at night with their organic bedding that is completely free from any toxic pollutants. With Oeko-Tex and GOTS certified high-quality cotton, these products are made in an eco-friendly way to give you better peace of mind.
Avocado Bedding: Eco-friendly and organic, Avocado is a company dedicated to making the world a better place by reducing its carbon footprint and minimizing its use of toxic chemicals.
They make bedding products with high-quality Oeko-Tex and GOTS certified cotton and wool; the perfect choice for environmentally conscious customers who want their bedroom to be as natural as possible.
Magic Linen: Linen is the perfect material for warmer months when comfort matters because it's durable, breathable, antiallergenic, and has natural antiseptic properties. Magic Linen's Oeko-Tex certified bedding gives you a luxury choice in luxurious colors and patterns. It also comes with a 30-day sleep trial!
Is Oeko-Tex Better than Organic?
If you prioritize environmental friendliness and sustainable textiles, go for GOTS certified organic fabrics. Go for OEKO-TEX certified textiles if you're more concerned with toxin-free fabrics for babies, allergies, or chemical sensitivities.
Why Is Oeko-Tex Important?
Oeko-Tex label means that very low amounts of harmful or health-harming substances were used to produce textile or leather products and that it is safe for people as well as the environment.
With the Oeko-Tex label on your bedding or clothes, you can be sure that you’re not exposing yourself to any harmful chemicals.
What Harmful Substances Does OEKO-TEX Test for?
Oeko-Tex tests textile and leather products for a wide range of harmful substances. In this way, our label guarantees you as a consumer that the products with the Oeko-Tex label have been manufactured under strict ecological and toxicological criteria.
The following substances, among others, are tested for:
Consult their website for complete information on tested chemicals and limit values.
Can Polyester Be Oeko-Tex Certified?
Polyester, along with other artificial fibers, is permitted under the Oeko-Tex certification as long as it meets all of the requirements regarding the amount of harmful substances present.
Is Oeko-Tex Ethical?
Oeko-Tex is ethical in the way it looks after the consumers. This certification assures that the product will contain no or very limited amounts of toxic chemicals, so when the item comes into contact with the user's skin, it wont be dangerous to their health.
Second of all, Made in Green by Oeko-Tex label is one of the certifications that ensures that the workers throughout the production chain are treated fairly and work in acceptable conditions.
Third, the same label is given to products that have been made in facilities that follow strict environmental protection requirements, which can be easily traced by the consumers.
Is Oeko-Tex Sustainable?
While Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is only concerned with the amount of toxic chemicals in finished products, Made in Green by Oeko-Tex label is given to products that also meet social and ethical requirements and follow sustainable production practices.
This label indicates that the finished product not only contains low amounts of toxic chemicals, it's also been made in production facilities that provide socially responsible working conditions throughout the whole production chain and following environmentally friendly production processes.
Does OEKO-TEX Cover Formaldehyde and What Are the Limit Values?
Oeko-Tex testing covers formaldehyde. It allows no formaldehyde in Product Class I because these items are designed for babies and have to meet the strictest test criteria regarding product safety. Further, 75 mg/kg is allowed in Product Class II, 150 mg/kg in Product Class III, and 300 mg/kg in Product Class IV.
What Is Detox to Zero by Oeko-Tex?
Detox to Zero certificate provides clear instructions on how to eliminate hazardous substances in the textile production process.
It's aimed at wet facilities along the entire supply chain of the textile and leather industry and focuses on assessing the wastewater and sludge quality in accordance with Greenpeace DETOX goals.
What Is Made in Green by Oeko-Tex?
This certificate applies to all kinds of textiles and leather products that have been manufactured under safe, environmentally sound conditions in facilities that provide socially responsible working conditions.
Consumers can assume that the textile product has been tested for harmful substances because of the Made in Green label.
What Is Leather Standard by Oeko-Tex?
Leather Standard is a globally uniform testing and certification system for leather and leather goods at all stages of production, from raw materials to processing and finishing. This certificate can be given to any leather or accessory material as well as finished articles.
It certifies that the products have been tested for harmful substances and made from materials that do not contain any chemical substances of concern according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
What Is Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex?
Eco Passport certifies that products have been tested for toxic chemicals in limited concentrations as listed in the ECO PASSPORT standard.
The label also provides transparent evidence that the certified leather and textile products meet the criteria for ecologically responsible textile and leather production.
Conclusion
Oeko-tex is a certification for the leather industry. It was created to guarantee that no harmful chemicals have been used in production and also guarantees that any substances applied are safe for contact with skin.
In order to get this certificate, all raw materials must be examined beforehand so manufacturers can't substitute unsafe chemicals at a later date without being detected.
When you buy Oeko-Tex certified mattresses and bedding, you're ensuring that it's safe for you and your family. If you're more concerned with the environmental impact of the textile and leather products you buy, search for products with Made in Green by Oeko-Tex or GOTS label.
