All the customers want to be sure that clothes and fabrics they use are safe and will preserve their properties for a long time. That is why there are organisations and associations that make research and track the quality of softlines through testing.

One of such association is OEKO-TEX. The OEKO-TEX is a union of 18 independent research and test institutes in the field of textile and leather ecology in Europe and Japan. In 2020, the OEKO-TEX is going to implement new regulations for certification purposes to keep and strengthen the quality of products and their safety for consumers.

The new regulations will be effective from April 1, 2020. It means that manufacturers of apparel certified against OEKO-TEX standards must take all the necessary actions to bring their product in accordance with the new regulations.

Now let’s explore the most important changes:

1. New substances are added to the limit value catalogues.

Thus, in the STANDARD 100 are included:

• the carcinogenic N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosables substances  
• the herbicide glyphosate and its salts  
• specific limits of the toxic heavy metals arsenic and mercury

In the LEATHER STANDARD are included:

• the carcinogenic N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosables substances  
• specific limits of the toxic heavy metals arsenic and mercury

2. Leather products are included to the Made in Green certification.

Starting from 2019, leather production facilities are included in the Sustainable Textile & Leather Production (STeP) certification. And from 2020, it becomes possible to carry out testing for harmful substances in accordance with the LEATHER STANDARD. Thus, when the product labelled with MADE IN GREEN it means that such products have been produced in environmentally friendly facilities in socially acceptable workplaces according to the STeP.

3. DETOX TO ZERO becomes mandatory element in STeP certification

It means that STeP-certified companies that use large quantities of water and chemicals should comply with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals program’s Manufacturing Restricted Substance List.

The information has been prepared by the GMA Consult Group team. GMA Consult Group provides a full cycle of international type approval and global market access services for IT, Telecom and industrial electrical products in all countries throughout the world. With proven expertise in worldwide regulations, compliance, certification, and conformity assessment, GMA Consult Group can help your company speed up the access to any market with almost zero efforts from your side. Need your own guide to the world of certification and approvals? Don't hesitate to contact us via info@gma.trade.

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