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Application Steps

FAQ

Template

1.1 Choose one:
  • STANDARD 100
  • LEATHER STANDARD
  • ORGANIC COTTON (100% organic cotton)
  • ORGANIC COTTON Blended (at least 70% organic cotton)
1.2 Choose Annex
1.3 Choose:

Choose application type:

  • First certification
  • Renewal
  • Extension

You've got this.

Description
  1. This description shows up on your certificate
  2. Choose only one product class. Chosen class covers all higher product classes and influences testing requirements
  3. Only for renewal or extension
2. Classes

Classes are based on risk and intended use.

4.1. For Textiles
  • Select if you are a trader/retailer or producer
  • If producer, select your production activities
4.2. For Leather
  • Select if you are a trader/retailer or producer
  • If producer, select your production activities
4.3
  • Is address on company info the same as production site?

    If no, add address here.
    Attach Word doc with additional locations
  • Have you already started another application?
5 Who?
  • Person responsible for quality assurance
     

5.1 How?
 

  • Attach copies of certificates
  • Attach flow chart of quality assurance process

Track these in tab 2 of our supporting documents template.

6.1

Are your source materials pre-certified to STANDARD 100 or LEATHER STANDARD?
Check:

  • NONE
    -or-
  • SOME
    -or-
  • ALL

You will need to include a list later in the application.

6.2

Are your source chemicals pre-certified to ECO PASSPORT?

Check:

  • NONE
    -or-
  • ANY (or all)

You will need to include a list later in the application.

7.1

"Applicant" applies to most.
 

7.2

Must include:

  • All info copied from section 1 (sorry!)
  • Detailed description of material composition
  • Process
7.2.1
  • Organic cotton used*
  • Conventional cotton used
  • Part of the cotton is NON-GMO, but organic is not declared
  • Both organic* and conventional cotton

*Attach basis certificate (GOTS or other traceability certificate for STANDARD 100).

7.2.2
  • Chrome-free
  • Metal-free
  • N/A
7.3
  • Check if you produced the recycled material - specify the chemical or mechanical recycling process
  • Check if you purchased the recycled material
  • Post- vs pre-consumer recycled
  • % recycled material in product

*Attach certificate of origin or validation of any recycled material claim.

7.4

Leave blank if unknown or N/A

7.5.1 – 7.5.7
  • DO NOT leave blank
  • If unknown, choose “not known”

...

7.5.8

Process changes - Renewal only - What has changed since previous application?

7.6.1 – 7.6.11
  • Complete if product is made of leather or contains leather components
  • Skip if no leather

...

7.6.12

Process changes - Renewal only - What has changed since previous application?

7.7


Biologically active substances
Yes (+ list) or no

7.8


Flame retardant substances
Yes (+ list) or no

7.9


Specific navy blue
Yes or no

7.10


PFAS
Yes or no

7.11.1

Describe processing for non-textile and non-leather materials

7.12.1

Describe any other treatments

8

Skip section if manufacturer - only complete if buying product to resell without further processing

8.1

Number of suppliers

8.2

You will include a list of suppliers later in the application.

9.1

Percentage of organic cotton in articles to be certified
 

9.2


Applicable only if purchasing organic cotton directly from the farm - Attach IFOAM certificate

  • COMPANY Name + Address
  • Product description: Copy/paste answer from section 1
  • Agree to Terms of Use
  • Don’t forget to sign and date!

Enclose a copy of each OEKO-TEX® certificate with your application.

This list is tab 3 in our supporting documents template.
 

This list is tab 4 in our supporting documents template.
 

This list is tab 5 in our supporting documents template.
 

More detail = lower testing cost

This list is tab 6 in our supporting documents template.
 

This list is tab 7 in our supporting documents template.
 

Only for mattress, carpet, foam furniture, leather

  • Company name and address must match certificate
  • If there is a change from previous application, send new legal documents (W2, etc)
  • Include personal name and company name
  • Must select annex (matching application)
  • If there are changes between application submission and completion, a new declaration is required

Download the applicable document.

STANDARD 100
Choose Basic, Special Articles or PPE
LEATHER STANDARD
Choose Basic or Special Articles
ORGANIC COTTON
Include copies of supplier certificates (STANDARD 100, LEATHER STANDARD, ECO PASSPORT).
Be sure to request current OEKO-TEX® certificates from all suppliers and check the scope.
Send proof of quality assurance and external certificates.

Proof of Quality Assurance and Management

  • Complete details in the supporting documents spreadsheet - Quality Assurance tab
  • For externally certified management systems, such as ISO 9000, ISO 14000, EMAS, OEKO-TEX® STeP or SA 8000, include a copy of the certificate
  • For in-house quality management systems, include a short description

Recycled Materials

Organic Materials

  • Include GOTS or other traceability certificate
Sample Instructions

Submit material samples, including:

  • All types of pre-treatment, finishing and coloration processes
  • All dye classes and dyestuffs evenly distributed in maximum concentration
  • Samples in red, yellow, green, blue, black, white, orange and purple
  • Max 5 dyestuffs per sample
  • Samples in each fluorescent color to be tested separately
  • All printing dyestuffs in maximum concentration:
    • Solid printed color swatch: 12” x 12” (30 x 30 cm)
    • One block print per dyestuff, five samples from current production for each printing process
  • Screenprints, heat transfer, sublimation, direct, etc.
    • 12” x 12” full coverage drawdowns of red, yellow, green, blue, black, white, orange and purple
    • Submit a collection of printed samples that will cover red, yellow, green, blue, black, white, orange and purple in pattern

Include:

  • Completed and signed application
  • Signed Declaration of Conformity
  • Supplier certificates and supporting documents
  • Samples
    -Processing can NOT begin until all samples are received
    -Shipping all samples together speeds the process

Packaging:

Test sample packaging must satisfy specific quality requirements in order to protect the samples and guarantee accurate, reproducible and meaningful test results.

  • Test samples must be packed individually in tear resistant polyethylene film or polyethylene bags, to avoid contamination during transport
  • The samples should be wrapped twice and sealed with adhesive tape
  • The packed bags must be properly labeled for identification with sample numbers, material, supplier, receipts, etc.
  • Packing test samples solely in cardboard boxes and/or paper is strictly prohibited
  • Whether shipping from separate locations, direct from suppliers or in one box, please ensure all samples are clearly and correctly labeled so that they can be matched with your application

Ship:

  • For US/CANADA/MEXICO/HONDURAS/GUATEMALA customers:
    Hohenstein Institute America
    304 Sroufe Street
    Ligonier, IN 46767
    USA
    +1 800 731 9468
  • For other AMERICAS customers:
    Hohenstein Textile Testing Institute GmbH & Co. KG
    Schlosssteige 1
    74357 Boennigheim
    GERMANY
    +49 7143 271-0
  • For all OTHER customers:
    Please check with your local Hohenstein contact.

Email:

  • In addition to including them with the shipment, please email the documents to your main Hohenstein America contact
  • Your company's W9 form
  • Any vendor forms required for your company to process payments

Avoid Delays:

  • Provide clear, detailed information in the application & supporting documents – what are you making, how are you making it, and what is it made of?
  • Respond to inquiries in a timely manner – if there are questions or things that need clarification during the review process, respond as soon as you’re able
  • Be prepared to pay once the invoice is issued – payment in advance of testing is required for the first certification
  • Clearly label samples. Consolidate shipments if possible

Evaluation Steps

Hohenstein team: 
  • Reviews the information and follows up with questions on any open items
  • Creates a testing plan
  • Provides the price for the certification
  • Ships the samples to our lab in Germany (for US customers)
Testing takes ~2 weeks once shipment goes through customs.
If all testing is passed, you will receive:
  • Test report
  • Certificate valid for 1 year
  • Product label valid for 1 year

After the certificate is issued, we will schedule an on-site visit of your facility to complete the certification process.

When:

  • Within 1 year of certificate
  • Every 3rd year thereafter

To ensure:

  • Application matches reality
  • Quality assurance system is in place
  • Knowledge of certificate benefits cost reduction opportunities

Next: Use your label.

1. Promote your certification & comply with copyright
Jeans with labeled with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
Contact
Abby Mead
OEKO-TEX® Certification Manager
Hohenstein Institute America