The OEKO-TEX® Association announced its comprehensive 2025 regulations on 14th January in Zurich, set to take effect from 1st April 2025. These updates aim to elevate standards in the textile and leather industries by introducing stricter BPA limits, enhancing organic cotton certification, and ensuring greater transparency in leather supply chains, thereby fostering trust and sustainability.
Stricter BPA Limits for Healthier Textiles
OEKO-TEX® has significantly lowered the permissible Bisphenol A (BPA) limit from 100 to 10mg/kg following consultations with internal and external toxicologists. BPA is classified by endocrinologists and the World Health Organisation as an endocrine disruptor, capable of altering the hormonal system even in minimal amounts. “Reducing BPA levels is essential for ensuring the safety of textiles that come into direct contact with the skin,” stated a representative from OEKO-TEX®.
Enhanced Organic Cotton Certification
Starting 1st April 2025, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification will no longer include claims of “GMO-free” or “organic” cotton. Instead, organic certification will be exclusively handled through OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON. This change aims to combat fraud and ensure that only genuinely organic cotton is certified. The OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label will now incorporate ORGANIC COTTON certification, enabling companies to demonstrate full supply chain traceability from farm to finished product.
Transparency in Leather Supply Chains
In preparation for the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which was postponed to November 2024, OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD now mandates that companies trace the origins of their leather products. Proof of origin, such as delivery notes from slaughterhouses, is required to achieve certification. This requirement supports the European Green Deal and the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy, ensuring that leather products do not contribute to deforestation.
Expansion of ECO PASSPORT and Focus on Biodegradability
From 2025, the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT will broaden its certification scope to include commodity and maintenance chemicals, facilitating wider monitoring across the textile and leather supply chains. Certified chemicals must now provide proof of biodegradability, verified by an OEKO-TEX® institute or an approved third party. This expansion aims to phase out harmful substances early, improve worker safety, and prioritise environmental protection. Existing certified products have a one-year transition period to comply with the new regulations.
Collaboration with ZDHC for Enhanced Sustainability
OEKO-TEX® has strengthened its collaboration with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) programme. STeP-certified companies are now eligible to join the ZDHC Supplier to Zero Programme by uploading their STeP certificates and reporting to the ZDHC Supplier Platform. This partnership aims to further reduce the environmental impact of the textile, apparel, footwear, and leather industries through joint sustainability efforts.
The newly introduced 2025 standards by OEKO-TEX® are poised to significantly advance sustainability and transparency within the textile and leather industries. By enforcing stricter chemical limits, enhancing organic certifications, and ensuring comprehensive supply chain transparency, OEKO-TEX® continues to uphold its mission of fostering trust and promoting environmentally responsible practices.
