Oeko-Tex Association will have its own information stand for the first time at index14, the leading international trade fair for the nonwovens industry that will take place from 8-11 April in Geneva, Switzerland.

Experts from several Oeko-Tex institutes and also from the Oeko-Tex Secretariat and Certification Centre will be available for personal talks during the four day fair that is expected to attract about 12,500 visitors.

Certification requirements

Three specialist presentations held as part of the Exhibitor Presentations Forum will inform visitors about the latest developments in product certification in accordance with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and about the requirements for STeP by Oeko-Tex certification for Sustainable Textile Production.

In total about 133,000 Oeko-Tex certificates have been issued to 9,500 companies from more than 90 countries for textiles at all processing levels.

Certification focuses on appropriate interlinings for clothing textiles and materials for mattresses. There are also very delicate nonwovens for cosmetic and cleaning cloths as well as fibre nonwovens with mechanical, thermal and chemical reinforcement, which are used for filler materials and upholstery in the automotive industry, amongst others.

Tripled number

Out of 13,078 valid certificates issued in accordance with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (as at 12/2013), about 744 were for nonwovens.

This means that the number of certificates in the area of nonwovens has tripled since 2010. The company reports that 325 certificates were issued in product class l (textiles for babies and infants) and 377 in product class ll (textiles with direct skin contact).

There are also 10 certificates in product class lll (textiles without direct skin contact) and 22 certificates in product class lV (furnishing materials).

www.oeko-tex.com