17. September 2025
OEKO-TEX® press release: OEKO-TEX® Strengthens Commitment to Protecting Biodiversity
OEKO-TEX® is intensifying its efforts to safeguard biodiversity. As part of this commitment, OEKO-TEX® is working with the environmental organisation Global Nature Fund on the project ‘Businesses for Biological Diversity’. Together, OEKO-TEX® and Global Nature Fund have analysed biodiversity aspects at the production level and developed specific criteria for the OEKO-TEX® STeP facility certification.
“Healthy ecosystems are a vital foundation for environmentally responsible and sustainable textile and leather production. They are essential for long-term economic stability and success,” says Carolin Franitza, Stakeholder Manager at OEKO-TEX®. “Our partnership aims to raise awareness of biodiversity within the industry and provide practical guidance.”
Biodiversity in Focus: Global Nature Fund Reviews Textile Standards
As part of the ‘Engaging German Companies for Biodiversity – UBi’ project, Global Nature Fund, in cooperation with the Lake Constance Foundation, reviewed relevant standards and certifications in the textile and apparel industry to assess the extent to which they include effective requirements for the protection of biodiversity.
The criteria and requirements were evaluated for their effectiveness in safeguarding biological diversity, their weighting within certification systems, and their transparency and verifiability. The findings were discussed in expert forums with standard setters, textile companies and other specialists, leading to joint recommendations on how biodiversity can be better integrated in future.
New Biodiversity Criteria in the OEKO-TEX® STeP Standard 02.2025
As part of its annual revision, OEKO-TEX®, together with the Global Nature Fund, has updated the OEKO-TEX® STeP requirements based on these insights. The revised regulations will come into effect in September 2025.
“Even today, OEKO-TEX® STeP certified facilities have made remarkable progress in reducing their environmental impact,” says Alisia Mätz, Product Manager OEKO-TEX® STeP. “This includes measures such as water management, wastewater recycling, the use of environmentally friendly chemicals, and the prevention of soil and air pollution.”
Building on this strong foundation, the OEKO-TEX® STeP criteria have been expanded to place greater emphasis on biodiversity. The updated standard highlights sustainable raw material sourcing and the protection of natural habitats, while also addressing practices that contribute to biodiversity loss. From now on, OEKO-TEX® STeP certified production sites will be required to implement biodiversity management plans, set specific targets and provide regular reporting.
Long-Term Responsibility for the Environment and Industry
With the expansion of the OEKO-TEX® STeP criteria, OEKO-TEX® is committed to establishing biodiversity as an integral part of sustainable production. “We welcome OEKO-TEX®’s commitment,” says Louisa Lösing, Head of Business and Biodiversity at Global Nature Fund, “and support the approach of developing practical solutions that reach as many companies as possible, helping to protect biodiversity – and with it, our environment.”
The press release, the new OEKO-TEX® STeP Standard and accompanying images can be accessed and downloaded here. © OEKO-TEX®
About OEKO-TEX®
For more than 30 years, OEKO-TEX® has offered standardized solutions that companies in the textile and leather industry can use to transparently and sustainably optimize their manufacturing processes. Based on scientific principles, OEKO-TEX® contributes to bringing high-quality, safe and sustainable products to the market. 35,000 manufacturers, brands and trading companies, in more than 100 countries are currently working with OEKO-TEX®. At the same time, millions of consumers around the world use the OEKO-TEX® labels as a guide for their responsible purchasing decisions. Products and suppliers certified by OEKO-TEX® can be found in the online OEKO-TEX® buying guide at https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/bu....
About “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi” (“Engaging German Companies for Biodiversity”)
The “Engaging German Companies for Biodiversity – UBi” project aims to support the implementation of the German National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) and to encourage companies to take action on biodiversity. The project is funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) as part of the Federal Biodiversity Program with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).
Both the recommendations for biodiversity criteria in the standards of the textile industry and the Biodiversity Check for the textile and apparel industry were developed by the Global Nature Fund as part of the UBi project. Other project partners include: The Lake Constance Foundation, Biodiversity in Good Company Initiative e.V., DIHK Service GmbH & Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP).
www.unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de
About Global Nature Fund (GNF)
Global Nature Fund (GNF) is an internationally active foundation with many years of experience in implementing nature conservation and water projects. Through its worldwide nature conservation and environmental protection projects, GNF is committed to sustainable global development within planetary boundaries. Its goal is to promote a healthy planet and intact biodiversity as the basis of life for humans and nature. GNF's main areas of focus are nature and climate protection, water conservation, and business & biodiversity, i.e., working with the private sector on biodiversity conservation. GNF has been supporting companies for more than 15 years in assessing biodiversity impacts and risks and in developing corporate Biodiversity Action Plans. www.globalnature.org
About Lake Constance Foundation
The Lake Constance Foundation is a private environmental and nature conservation organisation that works on a project basis to promote greater sustainability and nature conservation – regionally, nationally and internationally. It is active in four areas: energy transition, agriculture & the food sector, nature & lake conservation, and business & biodiversity. The foundation cooperates closely with stakeholders from business, public administrations, municipalities, politics, and other interest groups. The Lake Constance Foundation was founded in 1994 and is based in Radolfzell on Lake Constance.
www.bodensee-stiftung.org
