OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN Certification
OEKO-TEX
Sustainable, traceable textile production with ethical standards.
Key Strengths
- Combines product safety testing (STANDARD 100) with facility-level social and environmental standards (STeP)
- Consumer-facing QR code enables full supply chain traceability to specific factories and countries
- Backed by OEKO-TEX®, one of the most recognized and trusted textile certification bodies globally
- Addresses both environmental sustainability and worker welfare in a single label
- Recognized by major global retailers and brands as a credible third-party verification
- Supports marketing differentiation in a crowded sustainable fashion marketplace
Ideal For
This certification is best suited for textile and apparel manufacturers, brands, and retailers who want to demonstrate that their products are made with tested materials and produced under safe, socially responsible, and environmentally sound conditions. It is particularly valuable for companies targeting sustainability-conscious consumers in Europe and North America, or those seeking to meet retailer requirements for verified supply chain transparency.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Recognized By
- OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN
Product Categories
Overview
The OEKO-TEX® Made in Green certification is a comprehensive label that signifies textiles are produced in environmentally friendly facilities under safe and socially responsible working conditions. This certification not only ensures that the product is free from harmful substances, but also guarantees that it has been manufactured using sustainable processes. To obtain the Made in Green label, textiles m ust meet stringent criteria set by OEKO-TEX®. These criteria include compliance with the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, which certifies that the product is tested for harmful substances, and STeP by OEKO-TEX®, which certifies that the manufacturing processes meet high environmental and social standards. The certification also ensures transparency by providing a unique product ID or QR code that allows consumers to trace the product's production journey, including the countries and facilities involved.
This label addresses growing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical products, offering assurance that the textiles they purchase contribute positively to environmental preservation and worker welfare. By choosing OEKO-TEX® Made in Green certified products, consumers support companies that are committed to reducing their environmental impact, ensuring safe working conditions, and producing high-quality, non-toxic textiles.
The Made in Green certification is a crucial step toward promoting sustainable production practices in the global textile industry, ensuring that consumers have access to products that align with their values of sustainability and social responsibility.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
All textile articles must be produced using materials certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® (tested for harmful substances). All processing facilities involved in production must hold a valid STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification, which requires third-party audits covering environmental management, chemical management, environmental performance, social responsibility, and quality management. Applicants must document the full supply chain and link each processing step to a certified facility. A unique product ID is issued upon successful verification of all requirements.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
There is no written exam. Certification is granted through a documentation review and third-party audit process. Applicants must demonstrate that all materials used carry valid STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certificates and that all processing facilities hold valid STeP by OEKO-TEX® certifications. An OEKO-TEX® member institute reviews the supply chain documentation, verifies facility certifications, and issues the product label upon successful validation. The process involves submission of product and supply chain data through the OEKO-TEX® platform.
Renewal & Compliance
The MADE IN GREEN label is tied to the validity of the underlying certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® (renewed annually) and STeP by OEKO-TEX® (renewed annually or on a 3-year cycle depending on audit results). The product label must be renewed annually to ensure all linked facilities and materials remain certified. Renewal requires re-verification that all supply chain facilities maintain valid STeP certification and that materials continue to meet STANDARD 100 requirements.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Salary & Market Value
As a product-level certification rather than an individual credential, MADE IN GREEN does not directly impact individual salaries. However, brands carrying the label report improved consumer trust and retailer acceptance, which can translate to premium pricing and expanded market access in sustainability-focused retail channels.
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Avoid if your supply chain involves multiple unverified or uncertified processing stages, as all facilities involved in production must hold STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification, which can be resource-intensive. Also consider alternatives if you are a small brand with limited budget, as the multi-facility audit requirements can make this certification costly and complex to maintain.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese
2015
Available