The International Oeko-Tex Association, Switzerland, announced its updated criteria and limit
values for use when testing textiles for harmful substances in accordance with the Oeko-Tex®
Standard 100 product certification process are now effective.
Amendments include the following:
- Wet spun fibers and coatings now will be tested for N-methyl-pyrrolidone and Dimethylacetamide
— which now are listed in the new category “Residual Solvents” — and must not exceed a limit
value of 0.1 percent by mass. - Relevant test samples must be tested for four new softening agents – Di-C6-8-branched
Dialkylphthalate, Di-C7-11-branched Dialkylphthalate, Di-n-hexylphthalate (DHP) and
Bis(2-methoxyethyl)phthalate — which now are included with phthalates already listed in the
criteria — and must not exceed a total limit value of 0.1 percent by mass. - Leather products in class IV must not exceed a limit value of 10 milligrams per kilogram of
extractable chromium. - In parallel with the existing ban of Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) within the framework for
certification of environmentally friendly production sites according to the Oeko-Tex Standard 1000,
products must be tested for Nonylphenol and Octylphenol, for which they must not exceed a limit
value of 100 parts per million (ppm); and for Nonylphenol-(1-9)-ethoxylate and
Octylphenol-(1-2)-ethoxylate, for which they must not exceed a limit value of 1000 ppm. These
requirements will be enforced April 1, 2013, following a one-year transition period.
In addition to the new test parameters, the association has expanded the scope of control
tests on Oeko-Tex certified products globally to cover 20 percent of all certificates issued
annually from now on, as opposed to the minimum 15 percent tested to date. Oeko-Tex also has
released a supplement to the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 on the basis of which special items such as
tents, prams, office chairs and rucksacks may be certified to the standard.
For more information about the new test criteria and regulations, contact the Oeko-Tex
Secretariat,
info@oeko-tex.com.
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 product certification
this year, the association has introduced the Oeko-Tex Sustainability Award, which beginning in
2013 it will present to businesses that have achieved outstanding performances and innovations in
sustainability. All manufacturers and retailers globally that are certified according to the
Oeko-Tex Standard 100, 1000 or 100plus may apply by submitting an application via
oeko-tex.com/sustainability.
April 24, 2012
