For the year 2011, the requirements for testing on harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 have been reviewed and amended. Particularly the regulations on harmful substances under the European REACh legislation, including the textile-relevant SVHC substances from the 2010 list of candidates were considered. Not necessarily with regard to contents but in the explicit formulation to facilitate better communication with customers in relation to REACh. Thus we are pleased to inform on the new regulations which will come into effect on 01.04.2011, after a transition period of three months.

• A limit value of 90 mg/kg for total lead content has been set for all four Oeko-Tex® product classes. This limit value is well below the value of 300 mg/kg currently demanded by US legislation (CPSIA, Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act), respectively the 100 mg/kg for articles for babies and children required as of August 2011.

• Short chain (C10 to C13) chlorinated paraffin (SCCP's) and tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) have been banned as a flame retardant according to the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 for a long time already since only explicitly permitted flame retardants are allowed to be used by the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100. Both substances are now listed by name in the list of banned flame retardant substances due to their classification as substances of very high concern under the current ECHA list of candidates. The mentioning in this list ensures enhanced compatibility and easier communication without higher costs related to additional tests. They are also listed under “other chemical residues” in the limit value table because both substances are used, albeit rarely, in other special applications. For both substances SCCP's as well as for TCEP the limit value is 0.1 mass percent.

• New for foams: the required range for the pH-value is 4.0-8.5.

The new requirements are visible in the updated version of the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 available under www.testex.com download section. There are also updated application forms for certification, which are now available as PDF forms to be filled in electronically. By signing the application form, the applicant will automatically receive the electronic Oeko-Tex® newsletter and, after successful certification, appear on the Oeko-Tex® reference list. If these features are not requested, they can be cancelled upon request. As previously informed the following supports for certificate holders are given and can be installed at any time:

• Certificate holders can order from Testex free of charge monolingual Oeko-Tex® label templates with "their" certificate number to use for advertising purposes for the certified products, documents or website.

• By filling out the shopping guide questionnaire the company is accessible, visible and traceable worldwide on the Oeko-Tex® website. This is a free of charge service too, available only to Oeko-Tex® certificate holders.

 

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