What is OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD?
OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD is an internationally standardised testing and certification system for leather and leather goods at all production levels, including accessory materials. If a leather article meets the test criteria, it can be awarded the OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD label. With the OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD label, you let your customers worldwide know that your products have been tested for harmful substances.
Our test method is based on the comprehensive OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD criteria catalogue. Limits that must be complied with for OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD largely exceed national and international specifications. The internationally standardised test criteria are updated at least once a year, considering the latest scientific findings.
What are the advantages of OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD?
- The tests for harmful substances in accordance with OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD take into account essential regulations, such as banned Azo colourants, chromium (VI), formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol, cadmium, nickel release, PFOS, etc., as well as numerous harmful chemicals, even if they are not yet legally regulated.
- The modular principle of OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD facilitates the testing and certification of textile products at every processing stage. Duplicate testing costs are avoided by using certificates from prior stages
- Use the globally standardised OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD label as a communication tool and show your potential customers that you care about consumer protection.
- Testing by independent, neutral test institutes
- Regular quality assurance
- Support with compliance issues (e.g. REACH)
- The OEKO-TEX® buying guide is OEKO-TEX®'s globally accessible and highly frequented online platform that supports you in the selection of reliable cooperation partners and the sourcing of suitable raw materials.
- The label check on the OEKO-TEX® website offers end consumers the chance to find your OEKO-TEX® labelled products, and the validity of the certificate can be checked by entering the certificate number.
Who is OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD suitable for?
You can have all your leather products from all the processing stages certified with the OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD label.
- Brands
- Retailers
- Manufacturers of semi-finished products (wet-blue, wet-white, etc.)
- Manufacturers of finished leather
- Manufacturers of finished goods (Leather clothes, leather accessories, leather gloves, leather bags, leather shoes), certain skins (e.g. sheepskins, lambskins, cowhides), leather upholstery and leather fibre materials
Leather, leather products and skins from exotic or protected animals like crocodiles, snakes and armadillos cannot be certified.
We have been working very successfully with OETI for two decades. The clearly defined structure of the individual STeP modules has enabled us to scrutinise our procedures, enhance our processes, and identify and improve existing weaknesses.
The collaboration with OETI is very beneficial for us. OETI has supported tests and certification with great competence and problem-solving skills. This support and constructive criticism have contributed significantly to our company’s development.
OETI has been very helpful throughout the whole certification process and has supported us at all levels with the various challenges we faced. We can ask them any questions at any time.
As a sustainably producing company, we want to underpin our philosophy with a recognised certificate. For this reason, we opted for STANDARD 100 in 1989 and for STeP in 2014. We value the substantial validity of OEKO-TEX®. OETI carries out tests and certifications in a highly competent and problem-solving manner.
In addition to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and OEKO-TEX® STeP, we have also introduced OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN. It allows the end consumer to trace where the products are made. We also ensure that our products are produced in an environmentally friendly way and under safe and socially responsible working conditions.