Have you noticed this tag on a textile or leather product? “OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN.” For wearers who care about the environmental and social impacts and safety of their garments, that little label says a lot about the production of the garment it’s attached to.
As awareness of the sizeable ecological footprint of the textiles industry continues to grow, end users are keen to ensure that their protective workwear is produced in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible way and is safe to wear, without sacrificing any protective features. So how can OEKO-TEX® Made in Green labeling help end users know their garments meet the highest sustainability, safety, and social responsibility requirements?
What Is OEKO-TEX®?
OEKO-TEX® certifications promote sustainability, trust, and transparency in the textiles and leather industries. Products bearing the OEKO-TEX® Made in Green label must have achieved two OEKO-TEX® certifications: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, which certifies products, and OEKO-TEX® STeP, which certifies manufacturing facilities.
Products with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification have been rigorously tested against harmful substances such as chemicals, heavy metals, nickel, or pesticides, and must be re-certified each year by a notified body to prove that they continue to be safe.
The OEKO-TEX® STeP certificate for manufacturing facilities is valid for three years at a time, with random compliance audits from the notified body in between. The auditor reviews the facility for adherence to standards in these key focus areas:
- Environmental Performance
- Environmental Management
- Chemical Management
- Social Responsibility
- Quality
- Health & Safety Aspects
There are three possible levels of performance for a facility to achieve. Level 1 indicates a minimum level of compliance, with Level 3 representing the ideal implementation of best practices.
Made in Green
The OEKO-TEX® Made in Green label is a way to show that a product and the facility it’s made in have met the precise requirements of and received both OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and OEKO-TEX® STeP certifications. These two certifications together affirm that the product in question is:
- Made in an environmentally friendly facility
- Tested for and free from harmful substances
- Made in a socially responsible and safe workplace