GERMANY
Oeko-Tex, the Germany-based international certification association, is piloting its new Eco Passport testing programme which is intended to help manufacturers of textile chemicals and compounds check whether their products meet the standards for sustainable production.
The official launch is expected in summer this year.
The programme has three stages and the results from each are shared with applicants so that they can use the data in internal quality control and safety guidelines and if needed, to revise formulae.
First, manufacturers confidentially disclose the chemical substances in their formulae, which are compared against the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Restricted Substance List and the Manufacturing Restricted Substance Lists, which comply with REACH and ZDHC guidelines.
The second stage is a risk/hazard assessment that evaluates each ingredient.
The final stage is an analytical verification to confirm that the end product does not contain unintended byproducts or contaminants and meets the criteria for Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex certification.
