The Oeko-Tex Association has changed its Oeko-Tex Standard 100, used for testing textiles for harmful substances. The limit values and test criteria are to be expressed in milligrams per kilogram (“mg/kg”) as of Jan. 1, changing from the previous parts per million (“ppm”).
This way confusion will be avoided with “µl/l” or “mg/m3,” and the new volume measurements can be more easily compared with the standards of other harmful substances.
In addition, decabromodiphenyl ether, or decaBDE, and hexabromocyclododecane, or HBCDD, are now in the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 inventory of banned flame-retardant materials. Their REACh rating was recently changed to SVHC, or substances of very high concern.
This will also apply to the phthalates DEHP, BBP and DBP, which in the amount of 0.1 percent or less by mass content limit are already in the Oeko-Tex Product Classes I and II. In addition, since they have been deemed SVHCs, the 0.1 percent-or-less limit will also be applied to Product Class III, apparel that is worn away from the skin, and Class IV, materials used for decorative purposes.