The international OEKO-TEX association has reported impressive growth for the fiscal year 2023/2024, issuing over 50,000 certificates and labels between July 2023 and June 2024. This marks a 22% increase from the previous year, underscoring the industry’s growing commitment to sustainability and safe production practices in textiles and leather.
A key highlight of this period is the certification of over 40,000 chemical products with the OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT, reflecting the industry’s dedication to cleaner and safer production processes.
ECO PASSPORT-certified chemicals meet stringent global regulations, including the REACH Directive, the ECHA Candidate List, and the US CPSIA.
These certifications are also acknowledged by the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) initiative, indicating compliance with Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) levels 1 to 3.
In January 2024, OEKO-TEX introduced the ORGANIC COTTON certification, featuring stricter limits on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), reducing the threshold from 10% to 5%. This new certification emphasizes rigorous supply chain traceability and enhanced standards for purity and quality.
To address evolving regulatory challenges, such as the US CERCLA’s PFAS ban and the European Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), OEKO-TEX launched the RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS certification.
This initiative supports companies in meeting due diligence obligations across their supply chains, reinforcing OEKO-TEX’s role in promoting responsible business practices globally.
