OEKO-TEX Certifications Rise 5%: What Apparel Buyers Need to Know

OEKO-TEX reported issuing 60,495 certificates and product labels during the 2025/2026 reporting year, a 5% increase from the previous period. This growth reflects continued interest in textile product safety, verified materials and supply chain transparency. For buyers seeking OEKO-TEX certification for apparel, the latest developments offer a useful reminder: certification documents and traceability records matter when choosing a manufacturing partner.

At the same time, new European Union rules are increasing scrutiny of sustainability labels and environmental claims. Digital traceability initiatives are also changing how companies document certified materials, including organic cotton.

What the Latest OEKO-TEX Certification Figures Mean

The increase in certificates and product labels is one indicator of the role certification plays in textile sourcing. However, the number alone does not tell buyers whether a particular garment, fabric or supplier meets their requirements.

The more important question is what a certification actually covers.

For example, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 focuses on testing textile products for harmful substances. Depending on the product and certificate scope, it can help buyers assess whether fabrics, garments and relevant components meet specified testing criteria.

Before placing an order, buyers should check the certificate’s validity, product scope and certificate holder. They should also confirm that the certified materials or products match the items being purchased.

EU Sustainability Rules: Why Documentation Matters

From 27 September 2026, the EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (Directive (EU) 2024/825) applies. Among other changes, it addresses sustainability labels that are not based on a certification scheme or established by public authorities, as well as misleading environmental claims.

For apparel brands and importers, this makes clear, supportable product information increasingly important. Broad statements such as “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” should not be treated as proof on their own.

Buyers should instead ask suppliers for evidence that supports the specific claim being made. Depending on the product and claim, this may include valid certificates, material composition records, transaction documents or other supply chain information.

The requirements depend on the claim, product and applicable rules. A certificate should therefore be checked against its actual scope rather than treated as blanket proof of every environmental or social benefit.

For the official requirements, see the EU Directive on empowering consumers for the green transition.

Digital Traceability for Organic Cotton

OEKO-TEX has also partnered with TextileGenesis to digitise transaction certificates for OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON. The initiative uses digital tokens to connect physical material movements with certification data, helping supply chain participants track certified organic cotton more efficiently.

Traditionally, companies may need to manage multiple documents as materials move between farms, ginners, spinners, fabric mills and garment manufacturers. Digital transaction records can make it easier to follow those movements and check whether documentation matches the materials being handled.

For apparel buyers, the practical benefit is clearer material traceability. However, digital tracking does not remove the need to verify the relevant certification, transaction records and product details.

Read more about the OEKO-TEX and TextileGenesis traceability initiative.

What Apparel Buyers Should Check Before Placing an Order

Certification is most useful when buyers know exactly what they need to verify. Before confirming an order, consider these checks:

• Confirm the required standard. Determine whether the project requires OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, an organic material certification, a facility-related standard or another scheme.
• Check certificate validity and scope. Make sure the document is current and covers the relevant product, material or facility.
• Match documents to the order. Confirm that the fabric composition, colour, product type and other relevant details align with the approved specifications.
• Ask about traceability. If certified or organic materials are required, clarify which records are available and how materials can be tracked through the supply chain.
• Agree on documentation before production. Establish what evidence is required, who will provide it and when it must be submitted.

These steps help reduce misunderstandings between buyers, suppliers and other parties involved in production. They also make it easier to identify documentation gaps before bulk manufacturing begins.

Where BREEZO Fits in Apparel Sourcing

At BREEZO, we support businesses looking for custom apparel and OEM/ODM manufacturing, including workwear, uniforms, promotional apparel and other made-to-order garments.

Our stated certification and compliance portfolio includes OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, GOTS, WRAP, amfori BSCI, RWS/RDS and ISO 9001:2015. The relevance of each standard depends on the product, material and project requirements; not every certification applies to every garment.

When a project requires certified materials or supporting documentation, buyers should confirm the exact requirements with us before sampling and bulk production. This helps align material selection, product specifications and documentation from the start.

To learn more about our company and manufacturing services, visit BREEZO.

Final Thoughts

The latest OEKO-TEX developments highlight two connected trends in apparel sourcing: greater attention to verified product information and more digital approaches to supply chain traceability.

For buyers, the next step is not simply to look for a certification logo. It is to understand what the certification covers, verify the supporting documents and ensure that the evidence matches the products being sourced.

Clear requirements and early documentation checks can help make the sourcing process more transparent and predictable.