OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifies textiles as free from harmful substances, making it essential for skin-friendly, sustainable knitwear. This certification ensures product safety, supports transparent supply chains, and helps brands meet rising consumer expectations for health-conscious, eco-responsible fashion.
In today’s textile industry, transparency is no longer optional—it’s expected. Consumers want to know not only what their clothes are made of, but how they are made. This is especially true for knitwear, which is often worn close to the skin, used for babies and children, and represents a growing segment of sustainable fashion.
One of the most widely recognized certifications ensuring fabric safety and sustainability is the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. But what exactly does this label mean, and why should buyers, designers, and manufacturers in the knitwear space care?
Let’s unpack what OEKO-TEX® really stands for and how it’s shaping the future of textile production.
1. What Is the OEKO-TEX® Standard?
The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an internationally recognized certification system for textiles tested for harmful substances. Developed by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology, the standard helps ensure that a textile product is safe for human health.
Products that receive OEKO-TEX® certification have been tested against a list of up to 350 regulated and non-regulated substances, including:
-Formaldehyde
-Azo dyes
-Heavy metals
-Pesticide residues
-Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Importantly, the certification isn’t just for finished clothing. Every stage—from the yarn and dyes to buttons and labels—must meet the criteria for the product to carry the OEKO-TEX® label.
2. Why Knitwear Needs OEKO-TEX® More Than Ever
Knitwear is intimate. Sweaters, base layers, scarves, and baby clothing are worn directly against the skin, sometimes for hours on end. That’s what makes safety certification especially critical in this product category.
-Skin Contact
Fibers can release residues that irritate sensitive skin or cause allergic reactions.
-Babywear Applications
Babies’ immune systems and skin barriers are still developing, making them more vulnerable to chemical exposure.
-Sensitive Areas
Products like leggings, turtlenecks, and underwear come into prolonged contact with the most sensitive parts of the body.
For these reasons, many brands are turning to OEKO-TEX® certified knitwear as a baseline requirement—not a bonus—for health-conscious and eco-conscious customers.
3.How Do OEKO-TEX® Labels Work—and Why Should You Care?
There are multiple OEKO-TEX® certifications, each addressing different stages or features of textile production:
✔ OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
Ensures that the textile product is tested for harmful substances and safe for human use.
✔ Made in Green by OEKO-TEX®
Verifies that the product was made in environmentally friendly facilities and under socially responsible working conditions, on top of being tested for chemicals.
✔ STeP (Sustainable Textile Production)
Aims to improve environmental and social aspects of production facilities.
For knitwear brands focused on traceability, the Made in Green label offers the most holistic guarantee.
4. The Risks of Uncertified Textiles
Let’s be honest: not all fabrics are created equal. Uncertified textiles may contain:
-Formaldehyde, often used to prevent wrinkling, but linked to skin and respiratory issues.
-Azo dyes, some of which can release carcinogenic amines.
-Heavy metals, used in pigments and finishes, can accumulate in the body.
-Pesticide residues, especially in non-organic cotton, which can cause hormonal disruption.
-Volatile compounds, causing headaches or allergic reactions.
Without certifications, there’s no way to guarantee a fabric’s safety. That’s a risk most premium knitwear buyers are unwilling to take.
5. How Does OEKO-TEX® Testing Work?
Testing follows a rigorous and scientific protocol.
-Sample Submission
Manufacturers submit samples of yarns, fabrics, dyes, and trims.
-Laboratory Testing
Independent OEKO-TEX® labs test for hundreds of toxic chemicals and residues, based on the most updated scientific data and legal requirements.
-Class Assignment
Products are grouped into four classes based on use case:
Class I: Baby articles
Class II: Items in direct contact with skin
Class III: No or minimal skin contact
Class IV: Decoration materials
-Certificate Issued
Each certified product is granted a Standard 100 certificate with a unique label number and verification link.
-Annual Renewal
The certification must be renewed annually to ensure ongoing compliance.
6. Do OEKO-TEX® Only Ensure Product Safety—or Do They Reveal Your Supply Chain Too?
Certifications don’t just signal product safety—they indicate supply chain visibility.
For example, a “Made in Green” label means:
-You know where the yarn was spun.
-You know who dyed the fabric.
-You know the working conditions of the sewing factory.
This aligns with a growing demand from buyers and consumers for ethical, transparent sourcing.
7. Looking for Safer, Sustainable Knitwear? Here’s How Onward Delivers.
At Onward, we believe that every stitch tells a story—and every yarn we use should be safe, traceable, and sustainable.
We work with mills and dye houses that offer OEKO-TEX® certified yarns, including:
-Extra-fine merino wool
-Organic cotton
-Organic cotton blends
-Recycled cashmere
Our products are selected not only for their craftsmanship but for their compliance with environmental and social certifications. Welcome to talk with us anytime.
8. How to Read the OEKO-TEX® Label
Buyers should look for these details on the label:
-Label number (can be verified online)
-Certification class (I–IV)
-Valid until date
-Scope (entire product or only fabric)
When in doubt, visit the OEKO-TEX® website and enter the label number to verify authenticity.
9. How Does OEKO-TEX® Compare to GOTS and Other Certifications?
While OEKO-TEX® focuses on chemical safety, other standards we have like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) focus on:
-Organic fiber content
-Environmental management
-Social compliance
They’re complementary, not interchangeable. A product labeled “organic cotton” isn’t necessarily tested for chemical residues unless it also carries OEKO-TEX®.
10. Is Your Business Ready to Embrace Safer, Smarter Textiles?
Whether you’re designer, or buyer, OEKO-TEX® certification is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. It protects your customers, strengthens your product claims, and keeps your brand future-proof.
In a market increasingly driven by eco-conscious decisions, OEKO-TEX® is the silent signal that your knitwear meets the moment.
Don’t let harmful chemicals compromise your brand values. Get in touch now to source OEKO-TEX® certified knitwear with comfort, safety, and sustainability built in.
Post time: Aug-04-2025
