TEXTILES.ORG
OEKO-TEX® certified products are harmless in terms of human ecology.
With regard to the study “Toxics for any weather” published by the
environmental organization Greenpeace at the end of October about the discovery
of perfluorocarbons (PFC) in outdoor clothing from well-known manufacturers, the
International OEKO-TEX® Association has expressly stated that outdoor textiles certified according to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 pose no direct health hazards for consumers when used as intended.
The use of perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has
been strictly regulated in the framework of OEKO-TEX product certification since
2009. With testing methods based on practical use, different OEKO-TEX laboratory tests furthermore ensure realistic evaluation of human-ecological safety of possible residual chemicals. According to current knowledge, perfluorocarbons cannot be dissolved out of the textile material during normal athletic activities. It should also be considered that various kitchen utensils with PFC finish (for example, Teflon® pans) are approved for food while being exposed to much more drastic conditions during use.
For the Greenpeace study, the detection of PFC in outdoor textiles was carried out using chemical solvents such as methanol or methyl tertiary butyl ether-a method optimized for dissolving the substances in question. This, however, cannot be compared to the actual bioavailability, and therefore to any potential hazard of the substances to the end consumer under normal conditions of use because the method does not actually provide any statement towards this end.
Some of the substances known as harmful to health which the study found in some
product samples such as phthalates (plasticizers), organotin compounds, antimony
or alkylphenol ethoxylates known as harmful to the environment have been regulated
by the criteria catalogue of the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for many years and are
checked during every certification process. For example, since tributyltin was found in
sports jerseys in the year 2000, items are tested for organotin substances during every
certification, and the list of limited substances is updated whenever necessary.
Since the beginning of 2012, test samples for OEKO-TEX certification are also analyzed
for the presence of environmentally difficult alkylphenol ethoxylates as a preventive measure. From 2013 these items will have to meet stipulated limit values even though these substances (still used as surfactants in textile production outside Europe) play no part in the interaction between textile products and skin. The aim is to achieve substitution of additives which still contain any of this harmful group of surfactants.
The OEKO-TEX Association and its associated companies proactively support the activities of the DETOX campaign which has already been joined by an impressive number of globally active brands with the aim of improving environmental protection. More information about the discovery of PFC in outdoor textiles can be obtained from the OEKO-TEX Secretariat.