OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: what the label guarantees for baby and children’s clothing
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is one of the labels most frequently requested by baby and kidswear brands. It certifies that a textile article has been tested against a list of harmful substances. Here is what the label actually controls, what product class I means, how to verify a certificate — and what our own certification, obtained from TESTEX in October 2026, covers.
What the label tests
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile products. Its purpose is specific: to verify that a textile article does not contain substances harmful to human health beyond the limits set by the standard.
Tests cover several hundred substances, regulated and non-regulated: pesticide residues, heavy metals, banned azo colourants, formaldehyde, phthalates, organotin compounds, PFAS and other substances of concern. The standard is updated every year to reflect new regulatory requirements and scientific knowledge.
Two points matter for a buyer:
- Testing covers the finished product and its components. Thread, fabric, buttons, zippers, prints, labels: every component of the article must meet the criteria for the complete product to be certifiable.
- The certificate is annual. It is issued for twelve months and must be renewed, with new testing, every year. An expired certificate is worthless.
Testing is carried out by the member institutes of the OEKO-TEX association — in our case, TESTEX AG, Swiss Textile Testing Institute.
Product classes: why class I matters for babywear
The STANDARD 100 standard defines four product classes, with limits that become stricter the more direct the skin contact and the more vulnerable the user:
| Class | Products covered | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | Articles for babies and young children up to 3 years | Strictest limits |
| Class II | Articles with direct skin contact (underwear, t-shirts, bed linen) | Strict limits |
| Class III | Articles without direct skin contact (jackets, coats) | Intermediate limits |
| Class IV | Furnishing articles (curtains, upholstery fabrics) | Limits adapted to use |
For a layette or babywear brand, product class I is the reference to request. It imposes reinforced limits on formaldehyde and saliva-fastness requirements — babies put their clothes in their mouths.
A point of vigilance: a manufacturer certified in class II is not automatically certified in class I. The certificate scope explicitly states the classes and article types covered. That scope is what you should read, not just the presence of the logo.
What the label does not cover
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 answers a single question: is the article safe for the health of the person wearing it? It does not answer the other questions a brand may have:
- It does not certify organic material. A conventional fabric can be STANDARD 100 certified. For organic content, the relevant standards are GOTS and OCS — see our guide to textile certifications.
- It does not cover social compliance. Working conditions, wages, workshop safety: that is the field of BSCI, WRAP or ICS audits.
- It does not measure environmental impact. Carbon footprint, water consumption: that requires a life cycle assessment, not a product label.
These approaches are complementary. A structured sourcing approach typically combines a material standard (GOTS/OCS), a product safety label (STANDARD 100) and a social audit (BSCI/WRAP/ICS).
How to verify a certificate
Any OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certificate can be verified in a few minutes, free of charge:
- Ask the manufacturer for the certificate number. It takes the form “PL020 294191” (institute, then number).
- Enter it on the official label check: oeko-tex.com/en/label-check.
- Check three pieces of information: current validity (the certificate is annual), the certification institute, and the scope — product classes and article types covered.
Three warning signs when sourcing:
- The manufacturer shows a logo but refuses or delays providing the certificate number.
- The certificate is valid but its scope does not cover your product type (for example, class II when you produce layette).
- The certificate covers fabrics, but not the made-up article: components added during garment making (buttons, threads, prints) must also meet the criteria.
Our certificate can be verified through this channel: no. PL020 294191, issued by TESTEX AG.
Our certification: scope and use
LOI Confection has been OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified since October 2026:
- Certificate no. PL020 294191, issued by TESTEX AG, Swiss Textile Testing Institute
- Product class I — baby articles
- Validity: until 31 October 2027, renewed annually with new testing
- Scope: garments made of woven fabrics and jersey (cotton, TENCEL™, viscose, linen and blends, as listed in detail on the certificate)
In practical terms, for a client brand, this means that articles covered by the certificate scope are produced from components tested against the standard’s substance list, at its most demanding level — the one that applies to baby articles.
This certification adds to our existing standards: GOTS and OCS for organic material (Ecocert Greenlife, certificate no. GOTS-13200 and TE-00004788), BSCI, WRAP and ICS for the social dimension. Only products covered by a valid transaction certificate are GOTS or OCS certified; they are labelled separately.
If your specification requires OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 class I, state it in the brief: it guides the choice of fabrics and components from the prototyping stage. See also our article on safety standards for baby clothing in Europe.
Questions fréquentes
What is the difference between OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and GOTS?+
What does “product class I” mean?+
How can I check that a manufacturer is genuinely certified?+
Is the certificate valid indefinitely?+
Which products can LOI Confection manufacture under this certificate?+
A specification requiring OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 class I?
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