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OEKO-TEX®: Why I care about this brand and why you should too!
Hello, loves, and welcome back to the blog! Today we are thrilled to talk all about the amazingly beneficial and important labels by OEKO-TEX®. My mission as a sustainable and ethical blogger is to not only share my lifestyle with you in order to inspire change and awareness, but to also educate and help you to navigate your own journey. To break it all down for you so that you can make your own conscious and ethical decisions.
As I like to say, “Give a person some Oat Milk and they drink for a day. Teach a person how to blend some Oats and Water and they drink for a lifetime.” haha!
So, here we go, let’s jump right on in to learning all about OEKO-TEX®: The labels that ensure our clothes and home goods are SAFE!
What Is The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®?
World’s Best Known Labels for textiles tested for harmful substances
Customer Confidence
High Product Safety
I first found out about this label while shopping for my children’s very first carpet for their nursery. At this point, I was in the very beginning of my journey to a non-toxic and sustainable home. We were barely making enough income to afford this carpet but I knew that I wanted to ensure the best quality (for our budget!) for my children.
I began researching toxins in textiles and was shocked at the truth. Some scary toxins found in the textile industry include Formaldehyde (for a crease resistant finish and easy care finish ), Azo Dyes which break down over time to become aromatic amines (some dyes can cause contact dermatitis), Heavy Metals (during the dying process) like Antimony and Chromium IV, and more.
Shocking, Right?
I could not believe that this was even legal, let alone able to be sold in my local shops. Thus began our journey into learning all about all the amazing labels out there that put our health and safety at the forefront of their business models.
Now, when I speak of textiles, I am speaking about so much more than carpets. We are talking clothing, bedding, towels, etc. This is a very large chunk of the material world and we must ensure its safety for our health as well as the health of our planet.
This is where the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® comes in. When you see this label on your textiles, you can rest assured that it is safe for you and your babe. The focus of this label is to ensure the textile poses no risk for human health.
Testing: What is tested?
All textile products, starting from the threads to the finishing touches, are able to be tested for the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. Every single component is tested in order to carry the label.
What about the Health & Safety of our Environment?
Keeping our family and ourselves safe from the harmful toxins of the textile industry is of utmost importance, but what about the health and safety of our home that we all share? The health and safety of our environment and neighbours?
This is where the MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® comes in!
What Is MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®?
Traceable Product Label
Carries the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification
Guarantees the article has been made using sustainable processes under socially responsible working conditions via STeP by OEKO-TEX®
Traceable Product Label
Each and every MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® item can be traced using a unique product ID or QR code. This amazing traceable label gives access to the consumer regarding production facilities , the stage of production, and the countries where the manufacturing took place.
The Story Behind OEKO-TEX®
I’m always amazed at how just a few dedicated folks band together to create something as extraordinary as these labels. Let’s take some time to get to know the story behind OEKO-TEX®!
Let’s start with the name. OEKO-TEX® is short for the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology.
The OEKO-TEX® association started in Zurich in March of 1992. Founding members were the German Hohenstein Institute and the Austrian Textile Research Institute (OETI). In April of 1992, OEKO-TEX® introduced their very first STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® label at the Interstoff Trade Fair and the rest, as you can say, is history!
Currently, OEKO-TEX® consists of 18 independent research and test institutes in the field of textile and leather ecology in Europe and Japan with contact offices in more than 60 countries around the World.
Have we changed your mind on Textiles?
I sure hope so!
Be sure to check for the OEKO-TEX® labels the next time you shop and stay safe out there!
Well, my loves, that is all for today. I sure hope this post was as educational as it was inspirational for you all. Please be safe out there and get to know all of your labels when shopping. If you are unsure about something in your textiles, be sure to ask and do the research. It’s unbelievable what is legal to sell nowadays. Have a very happy and healthy week and I’ll chat with you all soon!
This post is a sponsored post, but as always, I truly stand behind every company that we share on this website. Thank you!
