What is an Oeko-Tex® certified product?
Today, there are many labels and certifications in the textile industry. Whether it is our bed linen or our clothes in direct contact with our skin, we are more and more vigilant about the quality of the raw materials used. Labels become a valuable source of information, once you know how to decode them. Among the reference labels, the international Oeko-Tex® label guarantees that the fabrics used are eco-friendly, from the manufacturing of the yarn to the finished product. By purchasing Oeko-Tex® certified products, the consumer is assured that these products do not contain any substances that are harmful to their health and the environment. This applies to both synthetic and natural fibers. The intensive use of chemical fertilizers in the production of conventional cotton is an example of the drift of the textile industry, in which many allergenic reactions can be found.
All Oeko-Tex® certified fabrics are therefore real guarantees of quality and safety. However, when it comes to certification, precise criteria must be respected. This is the case for the Oeko-Tex® label, which offers several levels of certification.
What are the different Oeko-Tex® certifications?
The Oeko-Tex® label has several levels of certification:
- The “Standard 100”, the “Leather Standard” and the “Made in Green”: these three designations concern finished products. The “Standard 100” is the first level that ensures that during each stage of textile processing, from the yarns through the dyes and the various accessories, no toxic products for our health have been used. In addition, the “Leather Standard” confirms the harmlessness of the leather used in the product. Lastly, “Made in Green” is one of the most demanding labels because it also includes the place of production and its traceability.
- “STeP”: is a certification that assures that a company’s fabric production tools are environmentally friendly and that the working conditions are safe and socially responsible.
- “Eco Passport”: this designation specifies that the components and chemical substances used are in line with sustainable textile production.
How is Oeko-Tex® certification obtained?
The Oeko-Tex® certification, developed in the early 90s, is granted for 1 year by an independent laboratory, approved by the international association Oeko-Tex®. In France, only one certifying organization is authorized: the French Textile and Apparel Institute in Lyon. The Oeko-Tex® label is awarded after a technical expertise of the case, an audit of the manufacturing process and numerous control tests. It guarantees that no toxic pollutants or harmful carcinogens are present in the product, which makes it safe for the consumer. Every detail is scrutinized: sewing thread, button, lining, etc. The tests are carried out directly on the companies’ facilities, followed by random checks on products in the shops. Almost 300 substances are concerned by these tests. The preservation of colors is also evaluated. If a consumer has any doubts, it is very easy to check the validity of the certification of textile products by indicating their number on the website of the Oeko-Tex® association. This certification is above all a synonym of transparency and commitment of the textile industry, for our health and our environment. More and more ready-to-wear brands are claiming it because they have understood that the origin and traceability of the materials used for their jeans, T-shirts or underwear are essential in the purchasing process. Ethical fashion is at the heart of consumers’ concerns. However, it is important to bear in mind that an Oeko-Tex® textile is not necessarily ecological or organic.
Our protective gloves are certified Oeko-Tex® Standard 100
At LEBON® Protection, our social responsibility and our values in favor of environmental protection are our daily motivation. Therefore, we are committed to doing our best to ensure that the majority of our protective gloves are Oeko-Tex® certified. It is essential that the health of our product users is protected from any toxic risks to their bodies but also to the environment. With our Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified protective gloves, we offer a quality label and a genuine guarantee of safety to the operator with safe, non-harmful, comfortable and breathable textiles. We are committed to innovating in order to guarantee optimal working conditions for our customers.