What are your main reasons for becoming OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified?
At Haga, we have been working with OEKO-TEX® certified materials for several years. Now we wanted to take the next step and see if we could certify an entire product. We see this as a seal of quality, showing that the products we produce are designed with consideration for those who will use them. Several of our armchairs are senior models, and our customers spend a great deal of time in them. We regard the fact that they are tested according to strict chemical requirements as very positive.
We also work to support and develop our suppliers, and this project has created many synergies in our collaboration with them. It feels very good that our material requirements may result in those working in production being exposed to significantly fewer chemicals in our products. Our supplier has also told us that they have learnt a great deal during the project and have invested considerable effort in finding new subcontractors and expanding their chemical knowledge.
How did you find the certification process, from preparation to evaluation?
We have found the collaboration with TESTEX to be close and rewarding, and we received quick responses to our questions. Our supplier also worked with TESTEX and, thanks to our long-term relationship with them, all parties were able to work quickly to gather what was needed. Close cooperation, supported by good dialogue, is essential for the process to run smoothly.
How do you see the STANDARD 100 benefiting your brand, particularly in terms of transparency and traceability?
We want to be a furniture company that is at the forefront of material selection. One of our sustainability goals is to work even more with what we call safe materials, and this type of label fits perfectly into that approach. For us, it is important that the certifications and labels we use are third-party verified and well recognised by consumers. We want there to be no doubt that our certified products are genuine. For us, OEKO-TEX® provides that assurance.
Once your certificate is issued, how do you plan to communicate your OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification to customers and partners?
We will send a press release to our customers and will clearly communicate on our website and across our social channels that we offer a wide range of OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified products. We see a strong need among our customers to help spread knowledge about OEKO-TEX, so that they in turn can inform the end consumer about the benefits of an OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified armchair.
How do you see OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 fitting into your broader sustainability or product safety strategy?
One of our sustainability goals is to work even more with what we call gentle materials, and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 fits very well into this. We have also stated that we want to broaden our portfolio of sustainability certifications and be a strong brand for customers who are increasingly beginning to request such certifications.
How do you assess OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 compared to other industry certifications?
Our view is that OEKO-TEX is a well-known and credible certification with a strong reputation. It is particularly important to us that the end customer can easily understand what the label represents, and we believe that OEKO-TEX communicates this clearly and effectively.
What other certifications, accreditations or frameworks does your company already work with?
We are currently working on FSC certification and hope to have everything ready by the end of the year.
Statement by TESTEX Market Development Manager in the Nordics on this collaboration
Karin Lindmark: “TESTEX is proud to have supported Haga-gruppen in achieving the first OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification for a recliner in the Nordic region. This milestone highlights the growing demand for verified chemical safety beyond apparel, extending OEKO-TEX’s impact into the home and furniture sector.”
About Haga Gruppen
Number of employees: 12 people
Location: Bottnaryd, Sweden
Products: Armchairs and Recliners
Website:https://hagagruppen.se/