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EU EmpCo Directive
OEKO-TEX® Labeling Guide

EmpCo Directive: Hohenstein Independently Certifies to OEKO-TEX® Standards

EU Directive 2024/825: The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo)

EmpCo requires that sustainability labels be based on transparent certification schemes with independent, third-party verification. Its rules apply from Sept. 27, 2026.

How Hohenstein safeguards independence:

  • Functional separation of standard-setting and certification:
    As the system owner, OEKO-TEX AG defines the test criteria. Hohenstein conducts tests, audits and certifications independently, at its own cost and risk.
  • Separation of board membership:
    Members of Hohenstein’s management board may not belong to any governing body of OEKO-TEX AG, and vice versa. This incompatibility is written into binding rules.
  • Accreditation in accordance with international standards:
    Hohenstein is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025; this ensures the competence and impartiality of its certification activities independently of OEKO-TEX AG.
  • Internal compliance safeguards:
    Hohenstein maintains a risk management system for conflicts of interest, an independence committee and an anonymous whistleblowing scheme - in addition to the independence council of OEKO-TEX AG.
  • Internal reviews:
    Hohenstein continuously reviews whether its own certification practices comply with the requirements of the EmpCo Guidelines and their national implementation.

Evidence:

This structure ensures that certification decisions are made independently of commercial interests: the basis for credible, EmpCo-compliant sustainability claims.

How OEKO-TEX® Relates to the Directive

Independence & Transparency

Independently Verified and Transparent Claims

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OEKO-TEX® certifications and labels are based on science, stay ahead of global regulations, are regularly updated and require independent testing.

Directive (EU) 2024/825 requires that sustainability labels used in consumer communications are based on credible, transparent and independently monitored schemes. Key requirements include:

  • Independent third-party verification
  • Objective and transparent criteria
  • Competent testing and certification organizations
  • Ongoing monitoring without conflicts of interest

OEKO-TEX® meets these requirements through its governance structure, third party testing framework and accreditation model. When the labels are used correctly and only for the products they actually cover, OEKO-TEX® supports EmpCo/ECGT-compliant sustainability claims.

2026 Updates

Independence, Formalized in 2026

Starting September 27, 2026, sustainability labels in the EU must be based on independently verified certification schemes. OEKO-TEX® has always operated with these principles. Now it's formal and demonstrable.

  • OEKO-TEX® converted from a GmbH to a corporation (AG), with a Board of Directors as the highest decision-maker
  • A Statute of Independence and an Independence Council make existing safeguards binding
  • An anonymous whistleblowing channel continues to give anyone a way to raise concerns
  • The accreditation agreement follows ISO/IEC 17065, and the certification bodies remain ISO/IEC 17025 accredited

See OEKO-TEX® Press Release

3rd-Party Monitoring

Independence and Verification

A core requirement of the Directive is that sustainability labels are not influenced by commercial interests.

  • OEKO-TEX® is a legally separate entity from the authorized certification bodies (like Hohenstein Laboratories)
  • Authorized OEKO-TEX® certification bodies conduct testing and certification activities independently
  • These certification bodies are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, which supports technical competence and the impartiality of laboratory activities

The OEKO-TEX® structure aligns with the Directive’s requirement for objective, third-party monitoring of certifications.

OEKO-TEX® Intro

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Standards & Certifications

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Product Labels

Communicate with trusted, independent labels.

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Additional Services

Use OEKO-TEX® tools for greater transparency and sustainability.

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OEKO-TEX® Labeling Guide

FAQ: OEKO-TEX® and the EmpCo Directive

Does Directive (EU) 2024/825 apply to companies outside of the EU?
Yes. If products are marketed to EU consumers, directly or via EU retailers, the Directive can apply to the claims and labels used in EU-facing communications.

Can OEKO-TEX® labels still be used in EU marketing?
Yes, without restriction, including after the EmpCo Directive takes effect on September 27, 2026. OEKO-TEX® labels remain legally compliant. Use them in line with their defined scope and the OEKO-TEX® Labeling Guide.

Does anything change for certified companies?
Nothing changes in daily operations. Testing, auditing and certification continue as before. The only 2026 change is stronger proof of the system's independence.

Where do I find approved wording for label claims?
The OEKO-TEX® Labeling Guide includes approved wording for websites, product pages and packaging. Follow it and your label claims stay within the certified scope.

Does OEKO-TEX® certification make a product compliant with the Directive?
OEKO-TEX® certification can support compliance by providing independent, third-party verification of specific product attributes. Brands remain responsible for ensuring that all claims are accurate and used correctly.

Talk with an expert

More Sustainable Development Resources

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Contact

Ben Mead

Managing Director
Hohenstein Americas

+1 800 731 9468 Phone USA@Hohenstein.comEmail