A challenge the existing system could not solve
The roots of ECO PASSPORT go back to the mid-1990s. At that time, TESTEX was certifying paraffin rings from Reseda Binder, a well-known producer of paraffin rings used in textile processing, according to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.
Then the situation changed. These paraffin rings were no longer regarded as textile accessories, but as chemicals. Since OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 does not cover chemicals, the certificate could not be renewed under the existing framework.
This created a clear problem. A product already trusted in the market could no longer be certified, not because of its risk profile, but because no suitable certification category existed.
The birth of the Ökopass
For TESTEX, accepting this gap was not the right answer. Under the leadership of Dr. Jean-Pierre Haug, the team developed a solution specifically for this customer.
That solution was the Ökopass, known in English today as ECO PASSPORT.
The concept was both pragmatic and rigorous. TESTEX applied:
- the same testing principles
- the same testing methods
- the same limit values
that had already been used successfully for textiles and accessories. The difference was that these criteria were now applied to chemicals used in textile production.
This was a decisive step forward. It shifted the focus from evaluating only the finished textile product to also addressing the chemical inputs that shape product safety and compliance from the start.
From one product to a broader chemical approach
What began with paraffin rings quickly proved relevant far beyond a single application. Over time, the concept was expanded to include:
- dyes
- chemical auxiliaries
- other products used in textile dyeing and finishing
As demand grew, TESTEX worked with additional chemical producers whose products were used throughout textile processing.
This early development showed something important. The industry did not just need product testing for textiles. It also needed a credible system for assessing the chemicals behind them.
From TESTEX innovation to OEKO-TEX® certification
Around the beginning of the new millennium, the concept developed by TESTEX was introduced to other OEKO-TEX® member institutes. The approach gained traction because it met a real industry need and was built on established testing logic.
Then came the decisive milestone.
Ten years ago, ECO PASSPORT was officially transformed into an OEKO-TEX® certification.
Since then, all OEKO-TEX® member institutes have been able to certify chemicals, dyes, and auxiliaries used in the textile industry according to the ECO PASSPORT standard.
What started as a targeted solution for one customer had become a globally recognized certification framework.
10 years of ECO PASSPORT in numbers
The development of ECO PASSPORT has been a clear success for the industry. Today, the certification represents a broad and trusted system for assessing textile chemicals worldwide.
Key figures at a glance
- more than 2,000 certificates
- around 1,400 companies
- more than 60,000 products
These figures reflect the growing importance of verified chemical safety in global textile supply chains.
And notably, the paraffin rings from Reseda Binder that inspired the original concept are still certified according to ECO PASSPORT today.
Why ECO PASSPORT matters for the textile industry
ECO PASSPORT helps manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and brands create greater confidence across the textile value chain.
It supports the industry by helping ensure that chemicals used in textile production do not create problems later with restricted substance requirements. This is especially relevant in a market shaped by increasing expectations around transparency, compliance, and sustainability.
For many companies, ECO PASSPORT offers clear value:
- greater confidence in chemical input selection
- better alignment with restricted substance requirements
- stronger support for sustainable product development
- more transparency across the supply chain
In this way, ECO PASSPORT is not only a certification. It is a practical tool for building safer, more reliable, and more future-ready textile processes.
A milestone TESTEX is proud of
TESTEX is proud to have been the starting point of this successful story. The development of ECO PASSPORT reflects what happens when technical expertise is combined with the determination to solve real industry problems.
What began as a response to one customer challenge grew into a certification that supports the textile and chemical industries worldwide.
As the demands on the industry continue to rise, the need for trusted chemical assessment will only become more important. ECO PASSPORT stands as a strong example of how innovation, when rooted in real needs, can create long-term value for the entire market.
Celebrate 10 years of ECO PASSPORT with us
Ten years after its official launch as an OEKO-TEX® certification, ECO PASSPORT continues to help drive safer chemistry, stronger compliance, and greater trust across the textile industry.
For TESTEX, this anniversary is more than a moment to look back. It is a reminder of the responsibility to keep moving the industry forward.
Stay tuned for more to come…