Zum Hauptinhalt springen

OEKO-TEX® Joins the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network: Advancing Systemic Change Through Scientific Expertise

31.07.25

OEKO-TEX® is an official member of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network (UNFLN), a global platform fostering collaboration, innovation, and transparency across the fashion and lifestyle industries in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. The UNFLN connects stakeholders across industry, policy, civil society, and the UN system, providing a structured space for accelerating collaborative action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a member, OEKO-TEX® gains access to high-level engagement opportunities, visibility in global policy dialogues, and participation in cross-sector initiatives.

TESTEX: Official Representative and Strategic Contributor

As the official representative of the OEKO-TEX® Association within the network, TESTEX
is proud to support this multilateral effort. TESTEX will actively contribute its technical and scientific expertise, particularly in the areas of sustainable supply chain certification, environmental performance evaluation, and transparency mechanisms—while also supporting cross-sector collaboration on frameworks for traceability and responsible sourcing.

This role reinforces TESTEX’s long-standing engagement with public-private partnerships and international standard-setting processes and complements its advisory contributions to regional policy developments such as the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and the upcoming Green Claims Directive.

Leveraging Certification to Drive Impact on the SDGs

Through this affiliation, OEKO-TEX® reinforces its contribution to systemic change across key sustainability priorities. Specific contributions include:

  • SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
    OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 ensures that certified products are tested for harmful substances, supporting consumer health and safety.
  • SDG 5 – Gender Equality
    OEKO-TEX® STeP includes criteria addressing non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and gender-sensitive workplace policies—promoting inclusive, equitable employment practices across certified facilities.
  • SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
    OEKO-TEX® STeP comprises robust criteria for wastewater management, chemical handling, and water usage optimisation in certified production sites.
  • SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
    OEKO-TEX® STeP’s Social Responsibility Modules assess labour practices, workplace safety, and fair employment throughout global textile and leather supply chains.
  • SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
    Certification criteria are designed to be inclusive and accessible across different regions and company sizes, supporting equity in market access.
  • SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
    The OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label provides end-to-end product traceability and consumer-facing sustainability data, supporting informed choices and transparency.
  • SDG 13 – Climate Action
    OEKO-TEX® tools integrate environmental impact metrics and carbon performance criteria to support climate-aligned production pathways.
  • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
    Through its role in the UNFLN and other international alliances, OEKO-TEX® collaborates with NGOs, academia, and industry actors to harmonise sustainability standards and methodologies.

Amplifying Impact Through Global Policy Platforms

By joining the UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network, OEKO-TEX® and TESTEX position themselves within a UN-recognised ecosystem for knowledge exchange, policy engagement, and global visibility. Members of the network are featured through curated showcases, reports, and speaking opportunities at both the UN Headquarters in New York and through global online channels.

This membership provides a unique opportunity to scale the visibility of certified best practices, contribute scientific input to UN sustainability dialogues, and foster alignment across international initiatives that are shaping the future of textiles, leather, and lifestyle goods.

Looking Ahead

As regulatory and market landscapes evolve toward greater accountability and verifiability, OEKO-TEX®’s participation in the UNFLN underscores its commitment to data-driven, independent verification as a foundation for progress.

TESTEX looks forward to deepening its engagement with fellow members of the network to advance shared sustainability goals through credible science, collaborative innovation, and policy-informed solutions.

Ihr Webbrowser ist veraltet

Aktualisieren Sie Ihren Browser für mehr Sicherheit, Geschwindigkeit und ein gutes Nutzererlebnis.

Browser aktualisierenFortfahren