Compliance
OEKO-TEX Standard 100: reading the certificate properly
Standard 100 tests for harmful substances in textile articles. It says nothing about performance, and it covers a specific article in a specific product class. Most misuse of the certificate comes from ignoring those two limits.
At a glance
Specification at a glance
| Product class | Typical article | Contact with skin | Test stringency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | Baby articles up to 36 months | Direct, intensive | Strictest |
| Class II | Articles worn next to skin | Direct, extensive | Strict |
| Class III | Articles away from skin | Little or none | Moderate |
| Class IV | Furnishing and decoration | Indirect | Least stringent |
What is tested
The standard covers a defined list of harmful substances: certain azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, pesticides, chlorinated phenols, phthalates and others, with limits that tighten by product class. Testing is on the article, which means the fibre, the finish and the process all contribute to the result.
What it does not cover
Performance, durability, absorbency, barrier and medical suitability are outside its scope. A Standard 100 certificate is not evidence that a fabric is medical grade, food contact safe, or fit for a specific converting process.
It is also article specific. If the certificate names a different weight or colourway, it does not cover yours, even if the fabric looks the same.
How to check a certificate
Read four fields: certificate number, article description, product class and validity date. Then match the article description to the grade you are buying. A certificate that says Class II for a specific 50 gsm white grade does not extend to a 30 gsm coloured one.
What buyers usually get wrong
Three mistakes recur: quoting a certificate that covers a different article, assuming the certificate covers converted products where inks and adhesives were added, and treating the certificate as evidence of performance. Each of the three is easy to check and expensive to discover during a customer audit.
Tell us the application and the acceptance test
The reply names a grade we can run, the tolerance we can hold and a lead time, or says plainly that we cannot make it.
Questions
Common questions
Do your fabrics hold Standard 100?
Certificates are held per article by the producer whose article was tested. Ask for the current certificate and check the article description and class before you rely on it in a customer conversation.
Is Standard 100 the same as REACH compliance?
No. REACH is legislation about chemicals in articles; Standard 100 is a voluntary testing and certification scheme with its own substance list and classes. Buyers often need both.
Which class applies to wipes?
Wipes used on skin normally sit in Class I or II depending on the user. Baby products are Class I, and that is the stricter test.