Understanding OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is an independent textile certification that tests textiles for substances that could be harmful to human health.

The list of restricted substances has grown from approximately 100 in 1992 to more than 1,000 today.

The certification covers textile products and their components, rather than simply assessing how a fabric looks or feels.

The standard is administered by the OEKO-TEX® Association, based in Zurich, Switzerland.

It is applied through a network of independent partner testing institutes and laboratories.

The test criteria, limit values and methods are published and reviewed annually.

Certificates are assessed against the version of the standard in force at the time of testing.

1. Application and samples: The manufacturer applies for certification and supplies samples representing the entire product group being certified.
2. Component testing: Every relevant component is tested, including fabric, dyes, finishes, thread, zips and labels.
3. Laboratory analysis: Samples are extracted using water, artificial sweat or solvents. Laboratories analyse them using scientific methods, including mass spectrometry.
4. Failed tests: If a substance exceeds an applicable limit, the manufacturer must improve the product and provide a new sample and a statement explaining the changes.
5. Follow-up testing: For certain critical substances, a second test is performed during the certificate year to check that the correction remains effective.
6. Certification period: A certificate is valid for 12 months. Renewal requires testing against the current standard.

OEKO-TEX® certification includes ongoing monitoring rather than relying on a single laboratory test.

• Certificate holders sign a declaration of conformity allowing control testing.
• Partner institutes perform control tests on certified products each year.
• Hohenstein, for example, tests at least 25% of the products it has certified and purchases random retail samples for additional testing.
• Quality systems are checked on-site within the first year and every third year afterwards.
• Independent auditors can carry out unannounced site inspections.
• Every certificate and label includes an identifying number that can be checked online.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 covers a broad range of substances and textile properties.

The examples below come from the OEKO-TEX® Testing Methods, Edition 01.2026. The exact tests depend on the material and product class.

Acidity

The pH value of the textile is checked.

Formaldehyde

• Free and releasable formaldehyde
• Formaldehyde emitted into the air

Heavy Metals

• Metals released through artificial sweat
• Chromium VI
• Lead and other total metals
• Nickel released from metal accessories

Pesticides

• Polar pesticides
• Apolar pesticides
• Glyphosate

Phenols

• Chlorinated phenols
• Ortho-phenylphenol
• Phenol and related substances
• Bisphenols

Plasticisers and Silicones

• Phthalates
• Siloxanes

Organic Tin Compounds

Organotin compounds are included in the testing requirements.

Dyes and Colourants

• Azo dyes
• Arylamines and aniline released by certain dyes
• Allergenic dyes
• Carcinogenic dyes
• Other banned colourants

Solvents and Processing Residues

• Chlorinated benzenes and toluenes
• Solvent residues
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Glycols and cresols
• Chlorinated solvents
• Vinyl chloride

Hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are included in testing.

Flame Retardants

Certain banned flame retardants are tested for.

Surfactants

Alkylphenols and their ethoxylates (APEOs) are included.

Fluorinated Chemicals

• PFAS
• Total fluorine

Other Substances

• UV stabilisers
• Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins
• N-nitrosamines
• Azodicarbonamide
• Dimethylfumarate
• Melamine
• N-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide

Emissions

Testing includes volatile chemicals released from the finished article.

Colour Fastness

Tests examine whether dyes transfer to other fabrics after exposure to:

• Water
• Acidic perspiration
• Alkaline perspiration
• Dry rubbing
• Saliva

Odour

Sensory tests assess undesirable smells. Articles may fail for mould, petrol, fish or solvent odours, or detectable masking perfumes.

Fibre Composition

The fibres used in the textile may be analysed.

Genetically Modified Cotton

Testing for genetically modified cotton is included where cotton is present.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 uses different product classes depending on how a textile is used.

The more intensive the skin contact, and the more sensitive the user, the stricter the requirements.

Product Class I

Products intended for babies. This is the strictest class.

Product Class II

Textiles that have direct contact with the skin, including bedding and pillowcases.

Other Product Classes

The standard also covers textiles with limited skin contact and decorative or furnishing materials.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a product safety standard. It should not be confused with other textile certifications.

• Not organic certification: It does not establish that a product is organically produced.
• Not sustainability certification: It does not automatically prove that a textile is environmentally sustainable.
• Not a silk quality rating: It does not measure silk weight, momme, grade or durability.
• Not a washing guarantee: It does not determine how well a textile will wear or withstand laundering.
• Not a PFAS-free claim: The standard includes PFAS restrictions and testing, but certification should not be described as a separate “PFAS-free” certification.
• Certification scope matters: A finished product should not be advertised as certified merely because a supplier holds a certificate for one fabric or component.

The supplied Liv & Loe information document notes that Australia may not have a general legal requirement for all textiles to undergo OEKO-TEX®-style chemical testing.

It also refers to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidance concerning chemicals in clothing and textiles, including formaldehyde and substances released by certain dyes.

Publication note: The original document specifically requests confirmation with Product Safety Australia before making definitive statements about Australian legal requirements.

Until that verification is completed, this page does not make a definitive claim about Australian textile law.

Every OEKO-TEX® certificate and label carries an identification number.

Customers can check this number using the official OEKO-TEX® Label Check .

1. Find the certificate or label number.
2. Enter the number into the official Label Check tool.
3. Check the certificate holder and the products covered.
4. Check that the certificate is currently valid.
5. Confirm that the certification actually covers the finished product being advertised.

Liv & Loe is sharing this information to help customers understand textile testing and certification.

Certification covering the finished Liv & Loe pillowcase has not yet been confirmed.

Until suitable certification documentation has been verified, Liv & Loe does not claim that its finished pillowcases are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.

• OEKO-TEX® Official Website
• OEKO-TEX® Label Check
• OEKO-TEX® Testing Methods, STANDARD 100 and ORGANIC COTTON, Edition 01.2026.
• OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Frequently Asked Questions, Hohenstein.
• Product Safety Australia
• CHOICE, “Chemicals in clothing”.