OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: Frequently Asked Questions

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General Questions About OEKO-TEX®
What is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100?

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is the world’s leading independent certification system for textiles tested for harmful substances. Introduced in 1992, it provides a globally recognized label that guarantees textile products have been rigorously tested for over 1,000 regulated and potentially harmful substances at every stage of production.Why is OEKO-TEX® certification important for workwear?

Workwear fabrics are in direct contact with workers’ skin for 8-12 hours daily. OEKO-TEX® certification ensures that:

  • Fabrics are free from harmful chemicals that could cause skin irritation or health issues
  • All production chemicals meet strict safety limits
  • Workers are protected during prolonged fabric contact
  • Your company demonstrates commitment to worker safety and health
  • Compliance with international safety regulations is verified by independent testing

Who issues OEKO-TEX® certificates?

OEKO-TEX® certificates are issued by authorized, independent textile testing institutes. XM Textiles’ certification (BEWO 084394) is issued by TESTEX AG, Swiss Textile Testing Institute, one of 17 accredited OEKO-TEX® member institutes worldwide.Product Classes & pH Requirements
What are the different OEKO-TEX® Product Classes?

OEKO-TEX® distinguishes between four product classes based on intended use and skin contact intensity:

Product Class I – Baby and toddler items (up to 36 months)

  • Most stringent requirements
  • pH range: 4.0 – 7.5
  • Examples: Baby clothing, rompers, bedding, toys

Product Class II – Direct skin contact (XM Textiles’ certification)

  • Strict requirements for prolonged skin contact
  • pH range: 4.0 – 7.5
  • Examples: Underwear, shirts, bed linen, workwear

Product Class III – Limited/no skin contact

  • Moderate requirements
  • pH range: 4.0 – 9.0
  • Examples: Jackets, coats, outerwear

Product Class IV – Furnishing/decoration materials

  • Basic requirements
  • pH range: 4.0 – 9.0
  • Examples: Curtains, tablecloths, upholstery

Why is XM Textiles certified under Product Class II?

Our workwear fabrics are certified under Product Class II because they have direct and prolonged contact with skin. This classification ensures our fabrics meet the same strict safety standards as underwear and bed linen—appropriate for garments worn 8+ hours daily.What pH range is tested for workwear fabrics?

For Product Class II workwear fabrics, the required pH range is 4.0 – 7.5. This range is skin-neutral and prevents irritation during prolonged wear. The pH 3.5 – 9.5 range mentioned in some contexts does not apply to standard workwear fabrics.

Exception: Wet wipes have a special pH range of 3.5 – 7.5, but this does not apply to textile fabrics.Testing & Parameters
What substances are tested in OEKO-TEX® Standard 100?

OEKO-TEX® tests for over 1,000 substances, including:

Legally regulated substances:

  • Banned azo dyes
  • Formaldehyde
  • Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium VI, nickel, etc.)
  • Pentachlorophenol
  • Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS)

Harmful but not yet regulated:

  • Allergenic dyes
  • Chlorinated benzenes and toluenes
  • Phthalates
  • Organotin compounds

Precautionary measures:

  • Pesticides
  • Extractable heavy metals
  • Colorfast requirements
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Odor assessment

How often is testing conducted?

  • Annual renewal required – Certificates are valid for 12 months only
  • Testing must use current year’s criteria and limit values
  • Criteria are updated annually based on latest scientific findings and regulations
  • Random market surveillance testing ensures ongoing compliance

Does the certification cover flame retardant treatments?

Yes! XM Textiles’ certificate specifically states that our flame retardant fabrics are “finished with flame retardant products accepted by OEKO-TEX®”. This means even our FR treatments meet the strict safety standards—ensuring protective workwear is both flame-resistant AND safe for skin contact.About XM Textiles’ Certification
What fabrics are covered under certificate BEWO 084394?

Our certificate covers:

Cotton-based fabrics:

  • 100% Cotton (CO)
  • CO/Polyester (CO/PES)
  • CO/Carbon Fiber (CO/CF) with anti-static function
  • CO/PES/Carbon Fiber (CO/PES/CF)
  • CO/Polyamide/Carbon Fiber (CO/PA/CF) with anti-static function

Synthetic fabrics:

  • 100% Polyester (PES)
  • 100% Polyamide (PA)
  • PES/Elastane (PES/EL)

Treatments & finishes:

  • Vat and disperse dyeing
  • Flame retardant (OEKO-TEX® approved products)
  • Water, soil, and oil repellent finishes
  • Transparent PU coating (windproof)
  • Water-resistant treatments

When does the current certificate expire?

Certificate BEWO 084394 is valid until August 15, 2026. We begin the renewal process 3 months before expiration to ensure continuous certification without interruption.How can I verify XM Textiles’ OEKO-TEX® certificate?

You can verify our certificate authenticity by:

  1. Scanning the QR code on our certificate
  2. Visiting the OEKO-TEX® Label Check at www.oeko-tex.com/en/label-check
  3. Entering certificate number: BEWO 084394
  4. Contacting us for a certified copy of the certificate

Compliance & Regulations
What international regulations does OEKO-TEX® cover?

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 ensures compliance with:

  • REACH (EU) – Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals
  • SVHC – Substances of Very High Concern (ECHA candidate list)
  • EU POPs Regulation – Persistent Organic Pollutants
  • CPSIA (US) – Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (lead content)
  • GB 18401 (China) – National General Safety Technical Code for Textile Products
  • Various global restricted substance lists

Does OEKO-TEX® mean the fabric is “chemical-free”?

No. OEKO-TEX® certification means that all substances used in production are tested and verified to be within strict safety limits. Modern textile production requires chemicals for dyeing, finishing, and treatments. OEKO-TEX® ensures these chemicals:

  • Are used responsibly
  • Don’t remain in harmful levels in the final fabric
  • Meet or exceed legal safety requirements
  • Pose no risk to human health or the environment

Our Standard 100 certification focuses on ensuring our finished fabrics are safe for human health.Practical Questions for Customers
Can I use the OEKO-TEX® label on garments made from XM fabrics?

If you’re selling B2C (to consumers):

  • You do NOT need your own certificate to sell certified fabrics
  • You CAN refer to the fabrics as OEKO-TEX® certified
  • You may NOT add official logos/labels to your products

If you’re selling B2B (to companies):

  • Same rules apply
  • You can provide information about fabric certification
  • For finished garments to carry the label, YOU need your own OEKO-TEX® certificate

Do all components need to be certified?

Yes. For a finished garment to be OEKO-TEX® certified, every component must be certified:

  • Main fabric ✓
  • Lining ✓
  • Sewing thread ✓
  • Buttons, zippers, trim ✓
  • Labels ✓
  • Any coatings or prints ✓

Our fabric certification is the first step. If you want your finished garments certified, contact an OEKO-TEX® institute about component certification.How does OEKO-TEX® certification affect lead times or costs?

For XM Textiles customers:

  • No additional lead time – All our standard fabrics are already certified
  • No extra cost – Certification is included in our standard pricing
  • Volume advantage – Because we certify at the fabric level (not per garment), you benefit from lower overall costs

What documentation can you provide?

We can supply:

  • Certified copy of certificate BEWO 084394
  • Test report reference: BJ015 266840.1
  • Declaration of Conformity (EN ISO 17050-1)
  • Product-specific compliance information
  • REACH, SVHC, POP compliance documentation
  • GB18401 compliance confirmation

Technical Questions
What dyeing methods are certified?

Our certificate covers:

  • Piece-dyeing (dyeing finished fabric)
  • Vat dyestuffs (for cotton-based fabrics)
  • Disperse dyestuffs (for polyester fabrics)
  • Acid dyestuffs (for polyamide fabrics)
  • White/undyed options

All dyestuffs used meet OEKO-TEX® requirements and are tested to ensure they don’t contain banned substances or cause allergic reactions.Are anti-static properties safe?

Yes. Our carbon fiber (CF) fabrics with anti-static function are specifically tested and certified under OEKO-TEX®. The anti-static properties are achieved safely without harmful chemicals remaining in the fabric.What about washing – do fabrics remain certified after washing?

Yes. OEKO-TEX® certified fabrics are tested to ensure:

  • Harmful substances remain below limits even after washing
  • No harmful residues are released during washing
  • Colorfastness meets standards
  • The fabric maintains its safety properties throughout its lifecycle

Contact & Support
Where can I learn more about OEKO-TEX®?

Who should I contact for technical questions about XM’s certification?

Contact our team for:

  • Certificate verification
  • Product specifications
  • Compliance documentation
  • Sampling certified fabrics
  • Custom requirements
  • Application-specific questions

We’re here to help you understand how our OEKO-TEX® certification benefits your workwear production and meets your customers’ safety requirements.

Certificate Number: BEWO 084394
Valid Until: August 15, 2026
Testing Institute: TESTEX AG, Swiss Textile Testing Institute

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