Saving resources by using ECO PASSPORT and STANDARD 100 synergies
OEKO-TEX®’s modular system covers multiple steps along the textile and leather value chain. From the certification of chemicals and raw materials to facility and product certification, transparency and traceability helps businesses throughout the supply chain provide credible proof of their sustainability practices. Benefitting from a combination of OEKO-TEX® certifications along the supply chain can also bring numerous advantages for manufacturers.
- Raw materials, fibres & filaments
- Yarns (raw and finished)
- Textile fabrics (raw and finished)
- Ready-to-use finished products
- Textile and non-textile accessories
Each component of a textile product can be certified according to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 individually, taking into consideration and requiring manufacturers to declare each component used and the involved production step.
A risk-based analysis is carried out depending on the individual component’s fibre material and the process involved in the manufacturing of the textile product. Components that are already certified according to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 may be exempted from testing if no further processing steps must be considered during the manufacturing of the textile product.
Likewise, all chemicals used in the production process can be certified according to OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT. These include:
- Colourants
- Auxiliaries
- Leather chemicals and colourants
Manufacturing, dyeing, or finishing facilities can benefit from OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified chemicals. The use of exclusively OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified chemicals helps minimize the risk of contaminations, ensuring product safety along the downstream textile supply chain. With OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified chemicals the requirements of OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 RSL (Restricted Substances list) are respected, allowing a reduced testing scope and a significant savings on the certification of the textile product.
How can you find OEKO-TEX® certified products?
The OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide can help manufacturers and brands to find suppliers with STANDARD 100 and ECO PASSPORT certified products. We will look at the Buying Guide in detail and explain how to use it later in this blogpost series.
Understanding OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT is an independent certification system for chemicals, colourants and auxiliaries used in the textile and leather industry. TESTEX developed the basic ECO PASSPORT concept in the early 1990s. Since then, it has gone on to become an integral part of OEKO-TEX®. During a multistep process, we determine whether each individual component in the chemical product meets the statutory requirements and that it is not harmful to human health. The label also gives transparent proof of which chemical formulations meet the criteria for environmentally responsible textile and leather production. Limits that must be complied with for OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT largely exceed national and international specifications. The test criteria are updated at least once a year, taking the latest scientific findings and regulatory requirements into account.
Who benefits from OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT?
The certification system ECO PASSPORT is designed for manufacturers of process chemicals and chemical formulation. Both manufacturers and brands value the ECO PASSPORT as credible proof of sustainable textile and leather production. It is also recognised as a pre-certificate for product certifications in accordance with STANDARD 100, ORGANIC COTTON and LEATHER STANDARD. This holistic approach to product safety, from the source to the end-consumer, contributes to a more responsible and sustainable textile and leather industry. Certification which includes an on-site visit is recognised by the ZDHC organisation as compliant with “MRSL 3.1. Conformance Indicator Level 3”, currently the highest conformity level. The ZDHC Gateway and BHive App from GoBlu are also available for the publication of certified products, including all associated certificates.