Øko tex standard 100 spelled out for English readers

Short answer: Øko tex standard 100 is the Danish spelling of the German Oeko-Tex Standard 100, a testing label for textiles. The label shows that a textile has been tested for selected substances. It does not automatically mean that the clothing is organic, even though the name can sound that way.

What is øko tex standard 100 in Danish

Øko tex standard 100 is what many Danes type when they mean the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label. It is a testing label for textiles, where an independent institute checks whether selected substances lie under limit values. When the label sits on clothing, it usually comes with a certificate number.

Why it is spelled with oe

Oeko is the German way of writing ö, and the label comes from Germany and Austria. In Danish this naturally becomes øko, because the prefix is familiar from the word for organic. That mix-up is exactly what you should watch for. Look at the range for women and read the product pages.

Øko does not always mean organic

In Danish we use øko for organic farming, and that can make the label sound like a guarantee of organic. It is not. The label concerns testing for selected substances, not how the raw material was grown. It is an important difference when you choose clothing.

What Standard 100 means

Standard 100 is the name of the scheme that tests textiles as finished products. The word standard shows that there are fixed requirements and a fixed method. The number 100 is part of the scheme's name and not a percentage. That is a misunderstanding many people can fall into.

How to read the number

Next to the label there is a certificate number, an institute and a product class. The number can be looked up on the Oeko-Tex website, so you can see who holds the certificate and what it applies to. If there is no number, you cannot check the label, and that is a reason to ask.

What the label does not say

The label says nothing about fit, softness, colours or how long the clothing lasts. Nor does it say anything about the whole production. If you have sensitive skin, talk to your doctor and try new clothing carefully. Use the label as a help, not as an overall assessment.

Labels in Danish and in English

A Danish label can be called something different from the international name, and pieces of text can appear in several languages. Look at the number rather than the language. It is what makes the label genuine. Look at bamboo T-shirts for women and socks for men and women for everyday clothing.

Care whatever the label

The label does not change the care instructions. Wash at the temperature on the label and avoid strong softener, which can make soft fibres stiff. Dry clothes flat or hanging without direct heat. That way softness and shape last longer.

Frequently asked questions

Are øko tex and Oeko-Tex the same?

Yes, øko tex is the Danish spelling of the German Oeko-Tex. Check the number on the label to be sure.

Does Øko-Tex mean the clothing is organic?

No. The label concerns testing for selected substances, not organic growing.

What does the number 100 mean?

It is part of the scheme's name, not a percentage. Standard 100 is the name of the testing scheme for finished textiles.