The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels, as well as accessory materials used.

To obtain a OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, the textile needs to be free from more than 100 substances known to be harmful to human health. The standard takes into account the following:

• Legal regulations, such as banned AZO colourants, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol, cadmium, nickel etc
• Other harmful chemicals that are not yet legally regulated
• Requirements of Annexes XVII and XIV of the European Chemicals Regulation REACh as well as the ECHA SVHC Candidate List
• Requirements from the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) regarding lead.
• Numerous environmentally relevant substance classes

The OEKO-TEX® tests for harmful substances are fundamentally based on the respective purpose of the textiles and materials. The more intensive the skin contact of a product and the more sensitive the skin, the stricter the human-ecological requirements that need to be complied with.

Accordingly, a distinction is made between four product classes:

• Product class I:
  Articles for babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age (underwear, rompers, clothing, bed linen, terry products etc.)
• Product class II:
  Articles that are worn close to the skin (underwear, bed linen, t-shirts, socks etc.)
• Product class III:
  Articles used away from the skin (jackets, coats etc.)
• Product class IV:
  Decoration/Furnishing materials (curtains, tablecloths, upholstery covers etc.)

A certification is valid for 12 months. The International OEKO-TEX Association control tests at least 25% of all issued certificates each year by performing sampling.

Why choose a product certified by OEKO-TEX?

It is one of the most well known and respected standard in place for testing harmful substances. Europeans are leaders in ensuring safe fabrication that adhere to strict standards such as OEKO-TEX and GOTS.

Unfortunately not all fabrics are manufactured equally. Companies that are committed to ensuring their products passes OEKO-TEX standards have their customer's health at the top of their priority. At Wicked Fabrics I think this is  important and essential because many of my customers sew for children.