May 20, 2026 Oeko-Tex: the toxic chemicals that still exceed thresholds
Ten years after its launch, Oeko-Tex Eco Passport has certified over 65,000 products across more than 50 countries. Though there’s progress on PFAS, new 2025 laboratory data shows that certain chemicals continue to exceed threshold values. Find out which ones.
As Oeko-Tex Eco Passport marks its tenth anniversary, with a record of over 65,000 certified products, 2,125 certificates and 1,400 customers across more than 50 countries, Oeko-Tex is publishing a detailed analysis of laboratory findings from its testing parameters.
By identifying which parameters most frequently exceed threshold values, and which product groups are most affected, Oeko-Tex aims to support manufacturers in meeting rigorous safety standards while driving greater accountability and innovation across the textile, leather and chemical industries.
Which chemicals keep failing? 2025 laboratory data
Test data from Oeko-Tex’s 2025 laboratory evaluation illustrates both the value and the complexity of independent chemical testing. Certain dye types – particularly disperse dyes and vat and sulphur dyes – continue to record a high volume of failed tests across multiple parameters, including quinoline, aniline and dimethyl fumarate (DMFU). These findings are not atypical for the sector, but they demonstrate why analytical testing remains essential.
On PFAS, Eco Passport findings remain low, though laboratories are recording an increased presence of total fluorine. Oeko-Tex has developed a new differentiation method to determine whether detected fluorine originates from PFAS or non-PFAS sources – a methodological advance that will provide greater clarity as regulatory scrutiny of fluorinated compounds intensifies.
Greener chemistry: from compliance to competitive advantage
Greener chemistry is not simply a matter of substituting one substance for another. True progress requires examining entire production processes – from raw material purity and energy efficiency to wastewater management and end-of-life degradability.
“Chemical transparency is no longer a voluntary ambition. It is becoming a legal obligation,” says Oeko-Tex CEO Dr. Alfred J. Beerli.
“Eco Passport supports this systemic view by requiring certificate holders to maintain quality management systems, provide personnel with appropriate training and ensure responsible waste disposal.”
Transparency is the mechanism that makes greener chemistry actionable. Without verified, independently confirmed information about chemical composition and performance, neither manufacturers nor brands can make informed purchasing decisions. The certification is particularly well established in key production markets: China and India together account for approximately two-thirds of Oeko-Tex Eco Passport certificates globally, reflecting the standard’s relevance where production volumes and chemical usage are greatest.
A decade of growth, a future shaped by regulation
Oeko-Tex Eco Passport has grown substantially since its introduction and development continues. Recent enhancements include biodegradability assessment criteria and deeper integration with digital platforms such as ZDHC Gateway and The BHive.
“Over the next decade, credible, independently verified evidence of safe chemistry will be indispensable,” says Dr. Beerli.
“The standard’s development cycle ensures it keeps pace with evolving compliance imperatives.”
Read the full Eco Passport Findings 2025 report.
About Oeko-Tex Eco Passport
Launched a decade ago, Oeko-Tex Eco Passport addresses one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: verifying that chemicals used in textile and leather production are safe before they reach the factory floor. Rather than relying on ingredient declarations or CAS number screening alone, Eco Passport mandates independent analytical laboratory testing.
Lead image: Oeko-Tex
