OEKO - TEX TEX New Regulations

At the beginning of the new year, based on consistent consumer protection and sustainable development of textiles and leather products, OEKO-TEX has updated its existing certification service testing standards and limits. After the three month transitional period, all new regulations will come into force on April 1, 2020. The most important update is briefly outlined below.

MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX now includes leather products.

Since the introduction of MADE IN GREEN labels to textiles in 2015, this sustainability label will also be applied to leather products since January 2020. In 2019, we extended the STeP certification target to the leather products factory. Through the integration of leather products and MADE IN GREEN tags, OEKO-TEX is taking a step forward. Leather products affixed with MADE IN GREEN labels have been tested for harmful substances according to LEATHER STANDARD and are produced according to STeP in environmentally friendly and socially responsible factories. This enables consumers to trace the production plants and manufacturing countries of leather products (such as clothing, footwear or furniture) through the only product ID or two-dimensional code on the label. OEKO-TEX also audits the production plant through trained auditors to check whether the production plant meets the required standards. MADE IN GREEN has been listed as one of the most stringent labels on the market by Greenpeace.

New contents of the limited value catalogue

After a year of monitoring, carcinogenic nitrosamines and nitroso compounds are included in the STANDARD 100 and LEATHER STANDARD standards, and the herbicide glyphosate and its salts are included in the STANDARD 100 limit catalogue. STANDARD 100 and LEATHER STANDARD also stipulated the total limit value of toxic heavy metals arsenic and mercury. Strict requirements for residues in textile materials will reduce the overall impact on environment, workers and consumers.

New substances monitored

In 2020, OEKO-TEX will monitor all kinds of new substances according to the latest scientific discoveries and precise specifications. Based on the REACH regulations aimed at protecting human health and environment, some special hazardous properties and aromatic amines are newly classified as substance SVHC. We will conduct rigorous testing of various dyes, pesticides and perfluorinated compounds.

Integrating DETOX TO ZERO into STeP by OEKO-TEX OEKO-TEX

For a long time, the safety treatment and waste water detection of chemicals in production plants have been an important part of STeP certification. In response to the increasing complexity of textile and leather production, DETOX TO ZERO will become mandatory elements of STeP certification plants using large quantities of water and chemicals (wet treatment plants) starting in April 1, 2020. The positive impact of the new regulation is that STeP will meet the hazardous substances zero emission (ZDHC) manufacturing process limited inventory (MRSL) and the Greenpeace detoxification standard.

At the end of January 2020, the webinar can be viewed free of charge on the www.oeko-tex.com website to get detailed information about all the new regulations of OEKO-TEX products 2020. Details can be obtained from the download menu item at www.oeko-tex.com.