TESTEX Melbourne is focused on raising awareness of the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification to the Australian textile industry, to help meet global standards of safety and quality.

The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is a globally recognised testing and certification system for textiles, including raw, semi-finished and finished products. The OEKO-TEX®Association works with a comprehensive catalogue of criteria when testing and certifying products.  The catalogue contains more than 100 testing parameters to make certain that textiles used in products will not harm consumers. This unique certification ensures products do not contain dangerous substances such as:

• specially prohibited AZO dyestuffs – Some AZO dyestuffs may separate under certain conditions to produce carcinogenic & allergenic aromatic amines. These dyes can be absorbed through the skin with prolonged contact.
• Phthalates – Most popular plasticizers used to soften PVC. Studies have shown potentially hazardous effect (e.g. endocrine disruption) especially to children under age of 3
• Formaldehyde – Causes harm to health by irritation to mucous membranes & respiratory tract.  May trigger asthma symptoms.  A known carcinogen.
• Extractable heavy metals – absorbed, heavy metals tend to accumulate in liver, kidneys, bones, heart & brain. If high levels of accumulation reached, effects on health can be detrimental,

Currently in Australia, there are no controls on chemical substances in textile imports. Only exports, such as products going to the US and the EU where regulatory bodies are there to safeguard consumers, are subject to various safety requirements like the American Apparel Footwear Association (AAFA) Restricted Substances list, the US

Consumer Product Safety Commissions (CPSC) list of mandatory banned harmful substances, the REACH requirements of EU. And both the EU and the US already implement the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification.

Australia is a global player in the textile industry and with this in mind TESTEX is committed to bringing awareness of this important certification to the Australian textile industry. As the driving force behind introducing the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 to Australia, TESTEX is dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of consumers through sustainable and ethical supply.