TEXTILES.ORG
Established two years ago, the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification serves to examine textile chemicals used as aids in production. The certification by Hohenstein supplements the existing OEKO-TEX® certifications, such as STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX.
A third stage was recently added to the certification process. In the interests of sustainability, this stage will address environmental protection and involves onsite checks at the producer’s premises. It will initially only be conducted at the applicant’s request.
The ECO PASSPORT certification has been following a two-step process to analyze whether dyes, equipment, aids and other chemicals used in textile production can be classified as safe. Coning oils used to texture yarns may obtain ECO PASSPORT certification as production-specific aids. Stage I follows a compliance screening process, and Stage II includes analytical verification.
Two years on from the certification’s introduction, the OEKO-TEX community has been able to certify more than 3000 products of over 400 customers worldwide. The certification makes it easier for companies manufacturing and selling textiles in accordance with STANDARD 100 to procure textile aids, and enables them to meet the market requirements for safe, non-toxic textiles, ensures that their textile-production staff are protected, and helps protect the environment and the end consumer.
For over 25 years, STANDARD 100 has been examining raw, intermediate and finished textile products for toxic substances and certifying textile products that pose no threat to health.
Hohenstein Laboratories GmbH & Co. KG is headquartered in Boennigheim, Germany. It is an accredited testing laboratory and research institute specializing in testing and certifying textiles.