Guide: OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
What does OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 mean?
OEKO-TEX® is a globally recognized guarantee that the textiles you buy are tested for harmful chemicals and dyes. While OEKO-TEX® covers several different certifications, the most common and important one is STANDARD 100, which is our main focus here.
When a garment carries this label, you can be certain that every single component – from the fabric and thread to buttons and zippers – has been thoroughly tested and found free from harmful substances.
With OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, you get safety that goes far beyond standard legal requirements. This is because the certification uses some of the industry’s strictest limit values for chemicals. These limits are often significantly tougher than general EU legislation and are continuously updated based on the latest scientific knowledge.
In short, the certification helps you shop with confidence and avoid unwanted chemistry.
The risks of harmful substances
The OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label is your assurance that you are taking care of your skin. But which substances are you actually avoiding, and why are they dangerous?
The certification focuses on areas known to cause health and environmental issues, ranging from dangerous dyes to chemical residues and heavy metals. Key areas of focus include:
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Azo dyes: These dyes are known to be harmful. Excess dye can be dissolved by sweat and absorbed through the skin, potentially causing allergies or, in the worst cases, increasing health risks. They are also harmful to the aquatic environment. STANDARD 100 strictly prohibits the use of harmful Azo dyes.
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Nickel and heavy metals: The certification tests metal components like zippers and buttons for traces of heavy metals. Since nickel can cause allergies upon skin contact, STANDARD 100 sets strict guidelines for its use.
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PFAS: Known as "forever chemicals," PFAS pose a threat to both health and the environment because they are extremely durable and accumulate over time. By testing for PFAS, OEKO-TEX® ensures your clothes do not contribute to long-term pollution.
Choosing OEKO-TEX® for babies and children
It is especially important to be mindful of clothing for babies and children, as they are more vulnerable to chemical residues. Harmful substances aren't just absorbed through their delicate skin; they can also enter the body through inhalation or if the child puts the fabric in their mouth.
Because of this, OEKO-TEX® operates with four different product classes. The more intensive the skin contact, the stricter the requirements. Baby and children's clothing falls under Product Class I, the strictest category of all. Here, the limit values are set significantly lower to ensure the highest level of protection for the little ones.
OEKO-TEX® at Fair Tee
At Fair Tee, it is a core value that our products are free from harmful chemicals. We work closely with suppliers like Neutral, Tee Jays, and ID, who are all OEKO-TEX® certified. This allows us to guarantee a wide range of products that are safe for both you and the environment.
OEKO-TEX
OEKO-TEX
OEKO-TEX® OEKO-TEX® sets strict, global standards for the safety of the entire product. It is your guarantee that the clothes you buy are tested for chemicals and dyes that could negatively impact your health or the environment. By choosing OEKO-TEX®, you can safely shop for the whole family.
Read more about OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 here:
