OEKO-TEX Certified Fabric: What It Covers (and What It Does Not)
Direct Answer
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a product safety certification that tests textiles for harmful substances.
For B2B buyers, it is useful when you need evidence that a fabric meets restricted substance expectations. It is not the same as organic certification, and it does not automatically certify your whole supply chain.
Official reference:
What it covers
- consumer safety focused testing for harmful substances
- product classes based on skin contact
- certification applies to a specific product scope and time period
What it does not cover
- organic fiber origin (organic is a different claim)
- social/labor compliance
- performance quality (pilling, shrinkage, breathability)
Documents to request (asset)
- certificate number and validity dates
- product scope / product class
- verification via official tools:
- label check: https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/label-check/
- buying guide: https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/buying-guide/
Red flags
- supplier cannot provide a certificate number
- certificate is expired
- certificate scope does not match your fabric
- OEKO-TEX used as a marketing term without documentation