In light of the recent pandemic, consumers are becoming more conscious of their purchases. From materials to production procedures, we look for quality products that are safe and sustainable.
The good news is that manufacturers also work towards the same goal: to introduce quality, safe, and more sustainable products to the market. This is also true for your mattress and bedding accessories.
If you’re diving into responsible mattress shopping but don’t know where to start, begin by looking for OEKO-TEX® certified products.
You’ve probably heard about the OEKO-TEX® label before. This is commonly found in clothing, towels, bedsheets, and even something as big as your mattress. But what exactly does it mean when a product is OEKO-TEX-certified?
Let’s find out.
What is OEKO-TEX® Certification?
The OEKO-TEX® label is one of the best-known labels worldwide when it comes to ensuring product safety and responsibility. This includes its most famous certification, the Standard 100.
When a textile product is OEKO-TEX® certified, it means that it is free from high levels of harmful substances. It also means that the method of production is guaranteed to be safe.
The certification process involves strict parameters, rigorous tests, and safety standards that are applicable to countries worldwide.
For an item to be OEKO-TEX® certified, it needs to undergo thorough testing of all its components, including the smallest parts like buttons and zippers. Even the coatings and treatments used for the products are carefully tested to make sure that no toxic substances are involved, especially for kids and people with allergies. So, if you are sleeping on an OEKO-TEX® certified mattress, you can guarantee that your sleeping surface is safe.
The OEKO-TEX® criteria are reviewed and updated every year and applied to products upon the manufacturer’s voluntary application. This independent third party testing is highly important for consumers to prevent greenwashing.
What Can Be Certified with OEKO-TEX®?
The OEKO-TEX® standards test regulated and non-regulated substances. These involve substances that are prohibited and harmful to the health, from fibre production to leather production, down to the smallest of details.
The Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification can generally be given to all textiles going through processing steps. The fibres, threads, lining, buttons, and other components of these textiles are rigorously tested to guarantee their safety. This certification can also guarantee that there are no substances or production processes involved that can potentially harm the environment.
What is Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® Certification?
If you use a mattress or textile with Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification, you can be sure that every component is free from high levels of over 100 harmful chemicals. This also ensures that the product is safe for your health.
To ensure the quality and safety of a product, each of the components is tested for harmful substances, including regulated and non-regulated ones. Some harmful substances that are tested for the OEKO-TEX® 100 standard are lead, phthalates, pesticides, and other chemicals that can cause harm to your health:
- Carcinogenic dyes
- Prohibited azo dyes
- Chlorinated phenols
- Volatile organic compounds
- Formaldehyde
- Nickel and other heavy metals
- Etc.
Other certifications that are worth considering for products include Made in Green by OEKO-TEX®, Leather Standard by OEKO-TEX®, Eco Passport by OEKO-TEX®, and Sustainable Textile & Leather Production (STeP) Certification.
Made in Green by OEKO-TEX® gives consumers confidence that the product is manufactured in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible facility.
Leather Standard by OEKO-TEX® guarantees safe standards for leather materials and textiles.
Eco Passport by OEKO-TEX® includes standards that apply to dyes and chemicals.
Sustainable Textile & Leather Production (STeP) Certification ensures that the manufacturing area follows a sustainable production process as well as responsible working conditions.
What are Product Classes?
The Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® includes a huge number of materials that are tested for harmful substances according to the standard's requirements. Like many other things, there is also no one-size-fits-all approach when testing all the applicable products for certification.
With regards to this, OEKO-TEX® has devised four product classes to categorise every article according to its intended use.
Product Class I: This class of products involves clothes, linens, mattresses, and textiles that are applicable for infants up to 36 months old. Items under Product Class I undergo rigorous tests and limit values since baby skin is sensitive and requires special care.
Product Class II: Class 2 includes products that have direct contact with your skin, such as underwear, clothes, blankets, towels, and mattresses.
Product Class III: This product class includes OEKO-TEX® standard products that have very little contact with the skin, including belts and jackets.
Product Class IV: Finally, product class IV includes textiles like curtains, covers, tablecloths, and the like.
Prerequisite for OEKO-TEX® Certification
At a glance, the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® manufacturer certification requirements include submission of an OEKO-TEX® application form, testing of all the components of the product, approval of the OEKO-TEX® facility, and issuance of the certificate with a detailed report.
All components, materials, and processes involved in the production of the item should comply with the required criteria for product safety and sustainability. Testing of product class I items undergoes more rigorous monitoring, from the production facility to raw materials and end products.
What is the Importance of OEKO-TEX® Certification?
Products that are OEKO-TEX® certified are guaranteed safe from hazardous substances and procedures that can harm your health and the environment. However, note that not all OEKO-TEX® certified items are organic. Another global standard that is worth checking in terms of organic value is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Why Choose OEKO-TEX® Certified Products?
OEKO-TEX® certified products like the Somnuz Roman Supreme Mattress ensure human and ecological safety, meaning they are free from toxic substances that can impact our health and the safety of the environment. While this is not a requirement for all mattress products, having the certification is an additional guarantee for the quality of the mattress.
Ready to Upgrade Your Mattress?
The best mattress purchase involves careful consideration of the materials, components, and benefits of the sleeping surface. Aside from factoring in your sleeping requirements and comfort preferences, making sure that your mattress is safe and responsibly manufactured is also important.
DISCLAIMER: All the information, including the texts, images, and other materials on this website, are for educational purposes only. Although we strive to present accurate information to our readers, no material on the Somnuz website is a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified medical professional with regards to your health. NEVER disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read in this article.