New OEKO-TEX regulations for 2018

I n 2018, the OEKO-TEX Association endeavours to provide further targeted support on issues relating to consumer protection and sustainability throughout the textile value creation chain. The existing guidelines of the OEKO-TEX product portfolio were updated on January 2, 2018. The new regulations come into effect on April 1, 2018 for all certification systems and other services, following a three-month transition period. OEKO-TEX presents the new product regulations in detail to interested companies during a webinar on January 30, 2018 at 12:00 noon (EST, UTC-5). Participation is free. One can register at www.oeko-tex.com/webinar-updates-2018.

The updates of OEKO-TEX standards and guidelines are based on the continuous exchange of experience with industry stakeholders, cooperation with initiatives and monitoring of legal regulations. The work of OEKO-TEX expert thus takes into account current scientific innovations and knowledge as well as latest market developments.

One can find the most important changes regarding the individual OEKO-TEX products below:

DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX

Thanks to the comparability of the DETOX TO ZERO MRSL with the valid MRSL for the STeP by OEKO-TEX certification, DETOX TO ZERO can be fully integrated into STeP. DETOX TO ZERO customers can convert to STeP at any time. The restructuring of the DETOX TO ZERO assessment tool and status report improves usability and clarity. The MRSL valid for DETOX TO ZERO can be viewed in the guidelines at www.oeko-tex.com/detoxtozero.

ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX

The ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) initiative accepts the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX as an indicator of conformity with their MRSL (harmful substance exclusion list for textile production). Upon approval, companies can have their products certified by ECO PASSPORT listed in the OEKO-TEX Buying Guide/and if they wish from now on also in the ZDHC Chemical Gateway. Bisphenol A is among the new substances to be recorded by ECO PASSPORT. Other new included substances are additional alkylphenols (pentyl- and heptylphenol) and the aromatic amine aniline.

LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX

Bisphenol A, the aromatic amine aniline and other alkylphenols (pentyl- and heptylphenol) are now recorded as part of the LEATHER STANDARD. More information on new admissions and other changes can be found at www.oeko-tex.com/ls-updates-2018.

MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX

The minimum requirements and criteria for awarding the MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX product label have been updated. Advantages of the new definition are: improved comprehensibility and less time for label attainment. Find further details on the updated minimum requirements at www.oeko-tex.com/madeingreen.

STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX

The newly recorded harmful substances in the STANDARD 100 criteria catalogue are phenol, bisphenol A, the aromatic amine aniline as well as the additional alkylphenols, pentyl- and heptylphenol. The OEKO-TEX Association henceforth places the substance quinoline under observation. Amended limit values also apply for short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP) and ortho-phenylphenol (OPP). As of April 1, 2018, OEKO-TEX plans to integrate the testing of organic cotton products for genetically modified organisms (GMO) into STANDARD 100.

STeP by OEKO-TEX

The scope of STeP assessments for the survey of required company data is significantly reduced by condensing the questionnaire. The integration of DETOX TO ZERO allows now to issue the STeP certificate and the status report additional with information on DETOX TO ZERO.

With 25 years of experience, OEKO-TEX leads the world in empowering and enabling consumers and companies to protect our planet by making responsible decisions. OEKO-TEX provides standardised solutions, which optimise customers’ manufacturing processes and help deliver high quality, more sustainable products. All of the products within the OEKO-TEX portfolio are used to strengthen our customers’ systems, processes or products and, ultimately, they help create more sustainable companies.To date, 10,000 manufacturers, brands, and retailers in almost 100 countries are working with OEKO-TEX to ensure that their products are tested for potentially harmful substances and millions of consumers around the world look for OEKO-TEX labels before making buying decisions. OEKO-TEX certified products and suppliers can be located in the OEKO-TEX Online Buying Guide at www.oeko-tex.com/products.