Special articles are market-ready finished/end products that fall outside the normal scope for OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. As a prerequisite for testing and certification, the product must contain significant textile components, e.g. bags, suitcases, blankets, umbrellas, toys, etc. These components must fall within the application area of OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and can be tested accordingly.
PPE stands for personal protective equipment and its materials. PPE is intended to protect the wearer from injuries or infection, e.g. clothing for firefighters, chemical protection clothing, military garments and uniforms, etc.
This supplement to the certification applies to the protective equipment and materials (e.g. fibers, yarns, fabrics etc.) that are used to produce source materials for PPE or to the PPE itself.
To certify PPE or materials for PPE according to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, all textile and non-textile materials must fulfill the requirements of product class II or III.
The OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 laboratory tests for harmful substances are based on the intended use of the textiles and materials. The more intensive the skin contact and the more sensitive the skin, the stricter the requirements for human ecology.
Upon request, all products in Product Classes 2, 3, and 4 can be tested and certified according to the stricter limits of higher product classes, up to Product Class 1, to ensure the highest level of protection—even if this exceeds the basic requirements. For example, a Product Class 4 product can also voluntarily be certified according to the requirements of Product Classes 1, 2, or 3.
Product Class 1
The strictest requirements and limit values. Mandatory for products for babies and toddlers.
Product Class 2
Products with direct skin contact such as bed linen or underwear.
Product Class 3
Products without direct skin contact such as jackets.
Product Class 4
Home textiles and other decoration materials such as tablecloths.
Learn more about OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
