The International OEKO-TEX® Association has introduced a new certification system, ECO PASSPORT, for its portfolio of sustainable textile certifications. ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® is a verification procedure by which manufacturers of textile processing chemicals and chemical compounds, such as dyes, performance additives, finishing agents, lubricants, detergents, etc., are able to confirm that their products can be used in sustainable textile production. The new programme is currently in pilot mode and officially launches in early summer 2016.
The ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification program is comprised of three assessments which are conducted in a step-wise manner. The results from each stage of evaluation are shared with applicants who can use the data to confirm internal quality control and occupational safety guidelines as well as to reformulate if necessary to create safer, more sustainable formulations.
Products that pass all three phases are granted the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification which indicates that the certified textile chemical is safe to use in OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified textile products and in STeP by OEKO-TEX® certified manufacturing facilities. In this way, ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® chemicals increase textile product and process safety and help protect consumers, textile industry workers, and the environment from the negative impact of potentially harmful substances. Furthermore, the addition of ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® to the OEKO-TEX® portfolio promotes comprehensive stewardship of textile products and processes throughout the supply chain.
The International OEKO-TEX® Association and its sixteen member institutes around the world will be hosting webinars and other learning opportunities soon to ensure clients are aware of the new ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification and the many sustainability benefits it offers for textile chemical producers and their customers as well as for the entire textile supply chain.