OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT Certification

Responsive and Responsible Chemical Management

Regulations and initiatives change as rapidly as trends in this industry, especially with regard to substances that harm humans or the environment. Companies are required to constantly monitor and implement these changes in complicated chemical management systems. Brands and retailers often enforce their own restricted substance lists.

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This certification label identifies textile and leather chemicals that can be used in safer, more sustainable products and processes.

What is OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT?

(Former: ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX®)

OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT is an independent and standardized testing and certification system for chemicals, colorants and auxiliaries used to manufacture textiles and leather. The process verifies that chemical products and their ingredients meet specific requirements for safety, sustainability and regulatory compliance.

The ECO PASSPORT Restricted Substance List (RSL) combines substances restricted through ECO PASSPORT, STANDARD 100, LEATHER STANDARD and STeP, integrating seamlessly with downstream OEKO-TEX® certifications.

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OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT Facts

Any chemicals, colorants, auxiliaries and formulations used for the production of textiles and leather can be certified with ECO PASSPORT
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certificates are valid for 1 year
The OEKO-TEX® Association performs control tests on certified products
Annual renewal and testing is required - renewal applications can be started up to 3 months before expiration

ECO PASSPORT Certification Benefits:

Gives textile and leather manufacturers a trustworthy solution for responsibly sourcing independently verified chemicals that are safer for human ecology and the environment
Promotes certified chemicals via the OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide - a free, online sourcing tool accessed >250,000 times/year
Provides chemical managers reliable control over substances before entering production
3rd party certification protects confidential product data while providing transparency that market demands

Builds feedback into the process so improvements can be implemented at each stage to avoid extra analysis costs
Integrates seamlessly into the OEKO-TEX® modular system and downstream certifications (STeP for environmentally friendly production facilities, STANDARD 100 and LEATHER STANDARD for safer products)
Ensures compliance with legal requirements, ZDHC levels 1, 2, 3 and Chemical to Zero Progressive Level (CtZ-P), REACH SVHC list, GoBlu/BHive, Foursource and other industry initiatives

ECO PASSPORT certified chemicals are listed in the OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide, a free resource that influences safer, more sustainable products and processes.

ECO PASSPORT Certificate Ownership and Use

Manufacturers
Distributors

Manufacturers

Chemical Manufacturers

Any manufacturer of textile or leather chemicals can apply for an ECO PASSPORT certificate. ECO PASSPORT is suitable for all chemical products (chemicals, colorants and auxiliaries) - and their formulations - that are used in the textile, leather, apparel, footwear, home textiles or similar sectors. ECO PASSPORT certified chemicals are listed with their product trade names in the OEKO-TEX® validity check and buying guide.

Distributors

Chemical Distributors

Same Composition, Same Brand Name:
- As long as no changes have been made to the chemical product (composition or brand/trade) covered under a supplier's certificate, a chemcial reseller/wholesaler may use their supplier's certificate/label, in their supplier's name.
- - OR - resellers can apply for an ECO PASSPORT certificate in their own name for products already covered by the chemical manufacturer's certificate. No additional testing is required and the new certificate owner is listed in the Buying Guide.
Same Composition, Different Brand Name:
- If no changes to the composition have been made, wholesalers and resellers of chemicals can apply for an ECO PASSPORT certificate in their own name for products already covered by the chemical manufacturer's certificate. No additional testing is required and the new certificate owner is listed in the Buying Guide.
No Pre-Certification
- If no manufacturer's certificate is available, it is possible for distributors and retailers to apply for a limited certification. This temporary certification may only be renewed once for a maximum certificate validity of two years total.

More Detail

FAQ

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Active Chemical Products (ACP)

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Greener Chemistry

ECO PASSPORT Application Process

Certification process: application, RSL/MRSL check, analytical verification, self assessment, on-site visit, certificate and report

Application
Applicant completes the application form and submits data on the chemicals used
RSL / MRSL check
We conduct a CAS number comparison of the indicated substances
Analytical verification
We analyze the chemicals in our labs
On-site visit (optional)
We visit the company to check the applicant's data on facility level
Certification
We issue reports and ECO PASSPORT certificate, valid for one year

Step-by-step Application Guide

Downloads

Standard
Forms
Factsheets & Brochures
B2B Marketing

Standard

ECO PASSPORT Standard Documents

Forms

ECO PASSPORT Forms

OEKO-TEX® Terms of Use

Factsheets & Brochures

ECO PASSPORT Factsheets & Brochures

OEKO-TEX®

B2B Marketing

ECO PASSPORT Marketing Resources

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