Selecting representative sample materials

Notes on selection
The test samples must be representative of the entire article group because this will define the wording of the
article group to be certified.
An incomplete selection of samples can lead to limitation of the certified article group.
Packaging rules
Packaging of the test samples has to meet certain quality requirements to protect the samples and ensure
correct, reproducible and sound test results:

Test samples have to be packaged individually in tear-proof polyethylene film or polyethylene bags to
avoid contamination during transport.
The packaging has to be closed by folding over twice and sealing with adhesive tape.

Packaging furnishing materials

Package test samples in clear plastic bags individually and air-tight (compulsory for emission testing!).
Make sure to include description of test samples according to appendix of theapplication for certification.
Avoid packaging test samples only in cardboard boxes and/or paper!

Prerequisites
Textile products may be certified according to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 only if all components meet
the required criteria without exception. The certification is carried out following a written application of the
manufacturer to one of the authorised test institutesor official representative offices around the world. The
submitted sample materials are tested exclusively at the member institutesin Europe and Japan to ensure a
consistently high testing level.
One prerequisite for the award of certification by the commissioned test institute or the relevant certification
centre is a declaration of conformity by the manufacturer stating that the successfully tested textile samples shall
correspond at all times with the quality of the products manufactured or sold throughout the twelve month licence
period.
Another prerequisite of OEKO-TEX product certification are company audits where auditors from the OEKOTEX test institutestogether with the applying company examine the company quality assurance and production
processes to create best possible certification conditions and to ensure steady human ecology product quality for
the duration of the certification.
The OEKO-TEX certification furthermore includes regular product controls as a fixed part of the system. These
are carried out on the market by the OEKO-TEX institutes to ensure compliance with the required criteria on a
regular basis.

Costs

The financial expense for OEKO-TEX certification consists of the licensing fee, costs for company audits by the
commissioned testing institute as well as laboratory costs (depending on the scope of testing). A preliminary
estimate can be obtained from the appropriate institute at any time.
Certificates are extended for a processing fee. The costs for the laboratory tests depend on the tests required for
the products which have been added.
The obligatory company audits by the commissioned testing institute are carried out every three years and will be
charged together with the licensing fee on the due date.

Certification process
Certification of textile products (including accessories) according to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 follows a set
procedure to which all authorised OEKO-TEX test institutes are bound.
On expiry of the twelve-month period of validity, OEKO-TEX certificates can be renewed on application for
another year.
Existing OEKO-TEX certificates can be extended at any time by an informal application from the manufacturer
to the relevant test institute.

Application with declaration of commitment

Prerequisite for product certification according to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a formal, legally-binding
application to an authorised institute of the International OEKO-TEX Association. In addition to questions
relating to the product declaration, each application form includes a declaration of commitment, forms to list
suppliers of source materials, the dyestuffs and auxiliaries used and a sheet to provide an accurate description
ofsamples for floor coverings, foams and mattresses.
The information provided by the manufacturer in the application for certification allows systematic recording of the
flow of goods from the source materials through to the end product. The test institutes use this as a basis to
determine the scope of testing and to create article groups which are as similar as possible, for testing according
to the requirements of a common product class.
Accurate, complete information simplifies and accelerates the certification process. It is important that every
company requires their own certificate for their sales products. This documents that the requirements of
the OEKO-TEX criteria catalogue have been consistently integrated in the companys own quality assurance.
In order to systematically record the product data, the application form includes both general questions and
mandatory fields which are specific to each individual stage of processing along the textile manufacturing chain.
For example:

Details of fibre constituents and fibre preparations (yarn manufacturers)

List of yarn suppliers (fabric manufacturers)
Details of dyeing, printing procedures and finishes used (finishers)
Naming the suppliers of all components of the product, from fabric to internlinings and accessories
(manufacturers of ready-to-wear clothing)

Declaration of commitment
By signing the declaration of commitment, the applicants assume responsibility for the accuracy of
all data provided in the application. They undertake in particular to notify the relevant test institute or the
responsible certification centre immediately of any changes to raw materials, technical procedures or recipes
used.
Moreover, the company accepts the rules of the OEKO-TEX certification system and undertakes to implement
these correctly, e.g. when using the label. This also includes the obligation to ensure that all labelling and
advertising of the products with the OEKO-TEX label will cease upon expiry or in the event of the withdrawal of
existing certificates.

Declaration of conformity
In order to be entitled to mark or advertise successfully tested products with the label Confidence in Textiles,
applicants must make a written declaration of conformity in accordance with EN 45014 before the certificate is
issued, assuring that their products from current production shall correspond at all times with the human
ecological quality of the samples submitted, i.e. be conform, throughout the entire 12-month licence period.
Prerequisite for this is the setup of a suitable company quality assurance system which has to be acknowledged
by the commissioned institute.
On submission of the declaration of conformity, the applicant assumes sole responsibility for the quality of the
products manufactured and/or sold. It is also possible to delegate parts of the quality assurance system to other
manufacturers, suppliers and importers. In this case the measures taken to assure product quality must also be
satisfactorily demonstrated to the relevant institute.
In the written declaration of conformity, the applicant also recognises that the OEKO-TEX Association shall be
entitled to carry out control tests on up to two certified products at the cost of the licence holder during the period
of validity of the certificate in order to ensure compliance with the guaranteed product quality.

Philosophy
Textile ecology
Concept
Test criteria
Test methods
Product classes
Certification
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Benefits
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Prerequisites
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Costs
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Certification process

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Company audits

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Company audits
Another part of OEKO-TEX certification in addition to the written documents and laboratory testing of the
submitted test samplesis a company audit at the site of the applicant where the certified items are produced.
For initial certifications the company visits are carried out by the auditors of the commissioned OEKO-TEX
member institute as close as possible to the certification process (but at the latest within the first six months after
filing of the application). Companies which have been certifying their products according to OEKO-TEX
Standard 100 for some time will receive their first visit in 2013 at the latest. In general, company visits will be
carried out every three years.
The aim of company visits is to ensure best possible certification conditions for the commissioned test
institute (verification of technical prerequisites) as well as for the applicant (best possible cost-benefit expense
through systematic advice for selecting sample materials, product group descriptions, certificate versions, label
use, QM measures etc.).