Oeko-Tex updates standards guidelines for 2020

Zurich, Switzerland – An expanded list of substances to watch is part of the updated guidelines from Oeko-Tex for 2020.

After introducing its Made in Green label in 2015 for textiles, the standards organization has expanded the sustainability label to include leather products. Leather articles labeled with Made in Green must be tested for harmful substances in accordance with the Leather Standard as well as being produced in environmentally friendly facilities in socially acceptable workplaces in accordance with Step certification (Sustainable Textile and Leather Production). This ensures that consumers can track leather goods such as clothing, shoes and furniture using a unique product ID or QR code on the label.

Oeko-Tex also added the carcinogenic N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosables substances to the Standard 100 and the Leather Standard following a year of observation. Also added after a year of observation to limited value catalog for Standard 100 are the herbicide glyphosate and its salts. Specific limit values for the total content of toxic heavy metals arsenic and mercury have also been defined in Standard 100 and the Leather Standard.

Among the new substances under observation are those classified as SVHC, which have been identified as having particularly hazardous characteristics, as well as substances from the group of arylamines. Oeko-Tex noted, however, that various dyes, pesticides and perfluorinated compounds will be carefully examined in the future.

Pointing out that safe handling of chemicals and wastewater testing in production facilities is an important part of STeP certification, beginning April 1, Detox to Zero will be an obligatory element of STeP-certified facilities defined as wet plants.

After a transition period, all new regulations will be effective April 1, according to Oeko-Tex.