Standard 100 on textiles explained briefly

Short answer: Standard 100 is a test and a label from Oeko-Tex showing that a textile has been examined for harmful substances. The label has a number so you can look it up, and it concerns only what is in the product, not where it was made.

Standard 100 in one minute

Standard 100 is a testing system for textiles, where an independent institute examines whether the product contains harmful substances above set limits. If the product passes, it can receive a certificate and a number, which you can use to check the label. It is a test that can be repeated and follows fixed rules, not a judgement made case by case.

Who is behind it

The label belongs to Oeko-Tex, an association of textile institutes that have set the test rules together. It is the institute that tests and issues the certificate, and the producer can then use the label on the products the certificate covers. That means several different producers can get the same kind of test and be measured against the same requirements.

What is tested for

The test looks at a range of potentially harmful substances and covers both the fabric and other parts such as thread and buttons. The limits are stricter the closer the textile sits to the skin, so products for direct skin contact have sharper requirements. See also the range for women.

What the label shows

The label shows a number, the name of the institute and a product class. Use the number to look up the certificate on the Oeko-Tex website, where you can see which products it covers and how long it is valid. That matters especially for clothes that sit close to the skin all day, such as underwear and T-shirts.

What the label does not cover

Standard 100 says nothing about how the fibres were grown, where the product was made or what working conditions are like. It is not a guarantee that the clothes will last long either, so read the composition and the care label as well.

Standard 100 and your clothes

If you are unsure, ask the shop which products are included, and find the number. That applies to bamboo clothing for women and to everything else you wear close to the skin, so you know what the label actually covers. It is therefore honest to say that the label covers only one topic, and that other things have to be judged in other ways.

How to use it when you shop

Use the label as one piece of information among several when you compare, alongside softness, fit and care. For basics such as bamboo T-shirts for women, it can be a little extra reassurance to be able to look up the certificate.

Frequently asked questions

What does Standard 100 mean

It means that a textile has been tested for harmful substances under Oeko-Tex rules. The label has a number so you can check what it covers.

Is Standard 100 the same as organic

No, the label concerns testing for harmful substances in the product, not how the fibres were grown.

How do I check that the label is genuine

Look up the certificate number on the Oeko-Tex website. There you can see which products and classes it applies to.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.