“The global supply chain is increasingly complex,” said Ben Mead, who represents Oeko-Tex in North America. “Home textile companies must make sure their compliance strategies and those of all their vendors are effective, transparent, and up-to-date. The costs of not managing this aspect of any textile products business can be staggering.”

Compliance management

Oeko-Tex is an important resource for home textile companies of all sizes but especially for those medium- to small-sized companies who may not have the staff to devote full time to compliance management.

Oeko-Tex works with more than 10,000 companies to provide the testing and certification services that help make sure their textiles comply with product safety regulations governing hazardous substances. Oeko-Tex also certifies textile production facilities and offers a supply chain management tool that helps companies achieve compliance throughout their entire vendor network.

“Compliance requires that textile companies understand regulations in the many markets where they make and sell their products,” said Ben Mead. “Oeko-Tex has dedicated personnel around the world who keep our knowledge base and certification requirements current so that our clients always have access to the most up-to-date compliance intelligence. That’s critical for making good business decisions and meeting the increasing demands of consumers and retailers alike.”

Research and testing

The International Oeko-Tex Association, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, was founded in 1992 by the OETI, formerly Austrian Textile Research Institute, and the German Hohenstein Research Institute. Currently, its membership includes 16 independent textile research and testing institutes with their representative offices in 60 countries worldwide.

To date, more than 160,000 Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certificates have been issued—with more than 14,000 issued per year—and 10,000 manufacturers, brands, and retailers in 98 countries are working with Oeko-Tex to ensure that their products are tested for potentially harmful substances. Now available are the STeP by Oeko-Tex certification for sustainable textile product manufacturing facilities, the MySTeP by Oeko-Tex database management tool, the Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex certification for textile chemical compounds, and the Made in Green by Oeko-Tex label for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified products produced in accordance with Oeko-Tex guidelines.

In addition to the Compliance 101 webinar, H&TT will also offer an Oeko-Tex webinar on sustainability on 7 December 2016, as part of its education series for home textiles manufacturers, sourcers, brands, and retailers.

www.oeko-tex.com