What is Oeko Tex? Learn About Oeko Tex Standard 100 Standard
Mar 25,2022 Evelyn Shi
Nowadays, consumers are becoming more aware of how their yarns are made. This has led yarn manufacturers to adopt cleaner, safer, more ethical and socially-conscious production practices. You may purchase hand knitting yarns with oeko tex label, let’s find out what it means and how important it is.
When it comes to product safety and social responsibility, Oeko Tex is one of the best-known labels worldwide. That's why it's important to know what Oeko Tex stands for, what it certifies and what differentiates it from other standards on the market.
What is Oeko Tex?
The International Oeko Tex Association was founded in Switzerland in 1992, its purpose is keep growing global concerns over product safety. In the same year, this association introduced its most well-known certification — Oeko Tex Standard 100. Products carrying this label are free of high levels of over 100 harmful levels of irritants, allergens or carcinogens that known to be harmful to humans and the environment.
It's important to highlight that over 100 harmful substances of the yarns are tested. For yarn manufacturers, there could be hundreds of substances from the wool itself, or added during the wool processing, top processing or yarn making, all those substances need to be tested upon standard. This is important, because when you wear a project made by those yarns, any toxic substances they were treated with can be absorbed into your body. If the yarn is certified oeko tex 100 standard, it is safe and suitable for direct contact with the most sensitive skin, even babies and small children.
The criteria for Oeko Tex Standard 100 are reviewed and updated every year. Since this is a global standard, the certification requirements are universal regardless of the country. It now Oeko Tex operates in over 40 countries. China is a big country for textile including massive number of yarn manufacturers, most of those yarn manufacturers in the first rank have accomplished Oeko Tex Certification.
What yarns have you certified Oeko Tex 100 Standard?
There are thousands of yarn manufactuers in China, while the hub for yarn manufactuers in South China is in the Yangzi River Bay and the hub for yarn manufactuers in North China is in Bohai Bay area, where is Our Company. located. We have our wool yarns certified Oeko Tex Standard, as you may known there are many articles, for example Felting Wool, Extra Fine Merino yarn, RWS Merino Wool, Hobbi Yarn and so on.
What Are Oeko Tex Standard 100 Product Classes?
Standard 100 encompasses a huge range of products, yarn is one of them. Naturally, they can't all be evaluated according to the same standard. That's why Oeko Tex developed four product classes, that categorized according to its intended use. Yarn manufacturers could fulfil from class 1 to 4 based on final yarn usage.
- Class 1 is for baby and toddler products. This is the most strictly tested and highly regulated group.
- Class 2 is for products that come in direct contact with the skin, such as t-shirts, socks, underwear and home textiles.
- Class 3 has very little to no skin contact, for example outerwear, belts and other clothing and accessories.
- Class 4 includes products used for decoration, such as furniture, curtains and tablecloths.