Why Oeko Tex Certification is NOT Relevant to American Made Fabrics
Wazoodle consumers are savvy consumers. We often receive inquiries from our customers asking if Wazoodle fabrics are OEKO-TEX certified. They are not OEKO-TEX certified, and here’s why this is a good thing.
What is OEKO Tex Certification?
OEKO-TEX® is an international association headquartered in Europe, comprised of independent research and test laboratories - focused on the textile industry - which certifies that fabrics meet safety standards for consumer use. OEKO-TEX 100 is the organization’s global testing and certification program that ensures textile products are tested for more than 300 harmful chemicals.
It’s often difficult for resellers of fabrics made in China, India, or other countries, to discern how the fabrics are being made, and what chemicals are being used in their manufacture. That’s why it’s important that the fabrics they sell have an OEKO-TEX certificate or equivalent; this indicates that the fabrics meet strict health and safety standards, and are safe to use. For the benefit of consumers there is an online directory that lists all products, companies, and brands that are OEKO-TEX certified
While OEKO-TEX certification is a stringent process, many of the requirements for this certification are not applicable to our American-made products. That’s why Wazoodle fabrics are not OEKO-TEX certified—because our fabrics are made right here in the USA and totally in our control. We adhere to the even more demanding American health and safety standards, and our own internal standards to ensure that no harmful chemicals are used in the production of our fabrics. For example we never use fire retardants in any of our fabrics.
Wazoodle and American Standards for Health and Safety
In the United States, all the fabric manufacturers, including Wazoodle, produce their fabrics under the safety guidelines and regulations set forth by several government agencies. These agencies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The CPSC is the agency that regulates the sale and manufacture of consumer products, and ultimately certifies a fabric as compliant and approved for sale in the United States, in accordance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The CPSIA compliance certification ensures that the products you use every day have met the most stringent, comprehensive American health and safety standards.
Fabrics made or sold in America must not only meet CPSIA requirements, but manufacturing must comply with EPA, OSHA, and other regulations, which makes them even more rigorous than the OEKO-TEX test criteria. This is why OEKO-TEX certification is not required for fabrics manufactured in the United States. In addition to this, at Wazoodle we have a policy of not using any toxic additives or fire retardants on our fabrics. These strict measures guarantee the highest levels of safety, not only for the consumers who use the fabrics, but also for the health and safety of those who make them, and environmental protection.
In addition to Wazoodle’s ongoing mission and commitment to bringing you safe, high-quality products for your use, our fabrics are, of course, CPSIA Compliant. They meet the highest standards of health and safety in the world. This is possible because our fabrics are made right here in USA and following not only the regulations but our own internal controls that ensure our fabrics are safe and ethically made.