What is OEKO-TEX?

What is OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100?

STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX is the organization's most widely used certification. It tests every component of a finished textile product — fabric, thread, buttons, zippers, prints — for harmful substances, including: Pesticide residues Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium) Formaldehyde Azo dyes that can release carcinogenic aromatic amines pH level (too acidic or too alkaline fabrics can irritate skin) Fluorocarbons and other persistent chemicals The certification comes in four product classes based on skin contact, with the most stringent requirements for products that touch infant skin (Product Class I). STANDARD 100 is a product safety certification. It tells you the finished garment is free of harmful substances at tested levels. It does not tell you the fiber is organic, that production was sustainable, or that workers were treated fairly.

What are the other OEKO-TEX certifications?

OEKO-TEX has expanded beyond STANDARD 100 to offer several different certifications: Made in Green by OEKO-TEX: Covers both product safety (like STANDARD 100) and production sustainability — facilities must meet social and environmental standards. More comprehensive than STANDARD 100 alone. OEKO-TEX STeP (Sustainable Textile & Leather Production): A certification for production facilities covering chemical management, environmental performance, and social responsibility. Applied to the factory, not the product. OEKO-TEX LEATHER STANDARD: Similar to STANDARD 100 but for leather products. For consumers evaluating a specific product, STANDARD 100 and Made in Green are the most relevant. Made in Green is more comprehensive.

How does OEKO-TEX differ from GOTS?

The core difference: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 = product safety (harmful substance testing) GOTS = organic production (fiber certification + processing standards) A product can hold STANDARD 100 certification without using organic fiber — the test only measures what chemicals are present in the finished product, not how it was grown or dyed. A conventional cotton T-shirt that passes harmful substance testing can be STANDARD 100 certified. GOTS requires organic fiber (minimum 70% or 95% depending on grade) and audits the entire supply chain, including processing and labor standards. A GOTS-certified product must also pass substance restrictions in processing — so GOTS overlaps with STANDARD 100 in some areas while going further in others. For someone who wants to avoid harmful residues in finished clothing: STANDARD 100 is relevant. For someone who wants organic, sustainably produced textiles: GOTS is the more meaningful certification. For both: Made in Green by OEKO-TEX combined with GOTS certification covers the most ground.

How can I verify an OEKO-TEX label?

Every OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 label includes a unique certificate number and institute number. Enter this at oeko-tex.com/label-check to verify whether the certificate is current and genuine. The verification tool shows the certified company, valid date range, and product category. Verifying is worth doing. OEKO-TEX labels are sometimes misused by companies claiming certification without current certificates. The online check takes under a minute.

Is OEKO-TEX certification enough on its own?

For avoiding harmful chemicals in finished clothing, STANDARD 100 is meaningful — it is tested, not self-certified, and covers a broad range of substances. For broader sustainability goals — organic fiber, reduced pesticide use in farming, sustainable processing, fair labor — STANDARD 100 alone is not sufficient. It says nothing about how the fiber was grown, how much water was used, or whether the dye wastewater was treated before discharge. For someone who wants the most complete assurance: look for products that hold both GOTS (organic production) and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 (harmful substance testing). Many brands with serious sustainability commitments hold both.

Every brand in The Plain Thread directory uses natural fibers. Browse brands with OEKO-TEX, GOTS, and other certifications.