When consumers purchase products such as diapers, medical garments or everyday clothing, they want to ensure the products they use are transparent and free from harmful materials. For manufacturers, the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification is an important step in the journey to create transparency for consumers. When brands can provide transparency, they can establish trust with consumers. Here is what the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification means for consumer safety and environmental impact.
What is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100?
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 tests for several hundred substances such as dyes, carcinogenic and allergy-inducing colorants, pesticides and more. This can cover products such as diapers, clothing, linen, medical equipment, furniture and more.
The level of testing is broken into classes determined by a product’s exposure to skin:
Class I: Products that have the most direct contact with skin. These are products typically intended for babies and toddlers such as diapers. Certain VELCRO® Brand Fasteners are now available under the Class I certificate.
Class II: Apparel textiles such as shirts and linens.
Class III: Limited direct skin contact such as jackets and outerwear.
Class IV: Little or no direct skin contact such as furnishings.
Every piece of a textile product needs to be tested and verified, including, fabric, liners, buttons and hook and loop fasteners.
VELCRO® Brand Fasteners with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Add Transparency for Consumers & Manufacturers
Manufacturers need to uphold their brand by providing proof that their products are free from any potentially dangerous materials. Many VELCRO® Brand fasteners can be found in diapers, medical devices and footwear & apparel products and can be OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Class I certified. This ensures that VELCRO® Brand fasteners have the safest level of protection based on exposure to skin.
What is the Importance of OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100?
Over time, brands have competed to create the next big design in fashion, personal care and medical devices. To create a product that is brighter, better and longer lasting, synthetic substances have been used within the manufacturing process and depending on the formulation, chemicals used in the manufacturing process can have a negative impact on the environment and the end user’s health. As consumers have become more conscious of the effects of dyes and adhesives, manufacturers need to find a way to deliver quality products, without putting health at risk.
When manufacturers comply with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification requirements, they can prevent hundreds of chemicals from entering the marketplace. To ensure products are fully compliant, manufacturers need to validate every component of their product is compliant including threads, liners, fasteners, linings and coatings.
Are you looking for OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified products that have a well-established presence in the textile industry? Velcro Companies will provide a certified, custom fastening solution for your application.
