Eco-Tex Standard 100 ("Oeko-Tex" in German) Click to enlarge   What is Oeko-Tex Standard 100   Oeko-Tex standard 100 is a global testing and certification system for screening harmful substances in consumer textile products. It was developed in 1992 by a group of European textile institutions.   It is the dominant global standard in the Eco-labelling field of textile products, with over 48,000 certificates issued worldwide since its inception. This equates to over 5,000 manufacturers and over 1 million licenced products.   Why Use the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for Textile Certification The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 sets stricter limits than current EC legislation on banned or restricted use substances used in textile manufacture. The scheme also includes substances considered to be harmful but not yet banned by legislations, such as certain pesticides.   Examples of other harmful substances screened include: Banned Carcinogenic Dyes   Formaldehyde Allergenic Dyes   Loose Dye / Colour Extractable Heavy Metals   Volatile Organics Flame Retardants   Phthalates (plasticizers) Chlorinated Aromatic Compounds (pollute the environment and harmful to health)   Organo-tin Compounds (with at least one bond between the atoms of tin and carbon)   Textiles with the "Confidence in Textiles" trade mark: Do not contain allergenic or carcinogenic dyes. Do not contain pesticides and chlorinated phenoles. Have been tested for the release of heavy metals under artificial perspiration conditions. Free from formaldehyde or containing trace amounts significantly lower than the required legal limits. With a skin friendly pH Free from chloro-organic carriers Free from biologically active finishes   More info