What is the OEKO-TEX label?

To ensure the quality of your mattress, monitoring its composition is essential to ensure good nights of restful sleep. The OEKO-TEX label is an international standard that guarantees the ecological and health quality of textile products. Created in 1992, this label is now recognized worldwide. It reassures consumers about the composition of the products they buy. In this article, we will explain in detail what the OEKO-TEX label is, how it works and its advantages.

What is the OEKO-TEX label?

The OEKO-TEX label is a certification that guarantees that textile products meet strict criteria in terms of ecological and health quality. To obtain this certification, products must be tested in independent laboratories. A list of criteria defined by the OEKO-TEX association is used to assess the quality of products. These criteria include the presence of substances harmful to health and the environment, the quality of the coloring and finishing of the products, compliance with safety standards, as well as the durability and resistance of textile products.
This certification has become increasingly popular in the bedding industry. It assures consumers that the products they purchase do not contain hazardous chemicals.

What criteria are used for OEKO-TEX checks?

The verification modalities for OEKO-TEX certification depend on the intended use of the materials and the end product. For example, the requirements are stricter for products in direct contact with consumers' skin . In addition to bed linen (covers, sheets, pillowcases, etc.), underwear and clothing are affected. This is why the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification has divided products into different classes depending on the strictness of the established criteria.
Class 1 covers products for babies up to 3 years old, such as rompers, bedding and clothing. As for Class 2, it includes products in close contact with the skin . Class 3 covers products that are in relatively little contact with the skin , such as jackets. Finally, Class 4 covers products intended for domestic use such as tablecloths or curtains.

What does the OEKO-TEX standard 100 correspond to?

The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label is a certification system that specifically assesses the quality and safety of textiles. This label studies the materials used in the production of bedding, such as mattresses, duvets and pillows. It is recognized worldwide and certifies that there are no chemicals harmful to health. It is necessary because bedding products can contain harmful chemicals. They can cause many health problems. In the short term, skin irritations and headaches. In the long term, only cancers and hormonal disorders.
This label is based on a set of very strict criteria that are regularly updated to meet the latest legal and scientific requirements. Independent laboratories carry out tests on more than 300 substances that are harmful to health. These substances include azo dyes, pesticides, heavy metals and phthalates. Our range of mattresses: the Original and the Pearl , are both OEKO-TEX certified. They guarantee a deep sleep while respecting your health and nature.

In addition to guaranteeing the absence of harmful substances, the Oeko-Tex label also encourages sustainable practices. Companies that obtain the Oeko-Tex certification meet many strict standards. These concern waste management, energy and water consumption, and reducing their environmental impact.

How is a bedding product certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100?

The OEKO-TEX certification process is a strict multi-step procedure. It ensures that the product is safe for human health and environmentally friendly. Here are the main steps of the OEKO-TEX certification process:

1. Certification application: The manufacturer submits an application for certification for its product to one of OEKO-TEX's partner certification institutes.
2. Product evaluation: The certification institute evaluates the product according to the OEKO-TEX label criteria, which include tests on raw materials, dyes and additives used in the product. There are several prohibited products such as dyes, formaldehyde, nickel etc.
3. Laboratory tests: Laboratory tests check for the presence of harmful substances. These tests meet strict standards. They may include tests for carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, among others.
4. Conformity assessment: If the product passes all laboratory tests, it undergoes an assessment of its conformity with the requirements of the OEKO-TEX label. The assessment criteria include maximum concentration limits for harmful substances and requirements for product processing and maintenance.
5. Awarding of the label: If the product meets all the requirements of the OEKO-TEX label, it is authorized to use the OEKO-TEX logo on its packaging and advertising. The logo is accompanied by a unique certification number, which can be used to verify the validity of the certification.

The OEKO-TEX certification process guarantees that bedding products bearing this label are guaranteed to be safe for human health and environmentally friendly. All Maison Alba products have this label, such as the Cloud pillow and the Touch mattress topper .

The advantages of choosing an OEKO-TEX certified product

The OEKO-TEX label is much more than just a guarantee of quality for your mattress. By choosing an OEKO-TEX mattress, you also ensure that you protect your health and that of your child . Indeed, the certification guarantees compliance with very strict hygiene rules during the manufacture of the mattress. These include environmental health standards, the use of lead and the absence of chemicals harmful to health.
People allergic to dust mites can also benefit from a more peaceful sleep on an OEKO-TEX mattress. This certification guarantees effective anti-dust mite treatment. In addition, we recommend opting for OEKO-TEX and anti-dust mite bed linen for enhanced protection. There are also many other methods to follow to avoid dust mites in your bedding that you can discover in our previous article .
It is important to note that choosing an OEKO-TEX mattress is particularly crucial for your child's bedding. Choosing the best OEKO-TEX baby mattress is essential. You will be able to ensure the well-being, growth of your toddler, and restful sleep. The OEKO-TEX label ensures the safety and health of your child by avoiding any exposure to harmful substances.

An OEKO-TEX mattress is a responsible choice that guarantees a healthy and peaceful sleep while preserving the environment. It is an internationally recognized quality certification that will allow you to sleep soundly.

What are the reasons that motivated OEKO-TEX® to carry out tests on mattresses?

In particular to protect babies and children, and also because there are many abuses on the bedding market. OEKO-TEX has a very specific mission: to control several essential points so that mattresses are completely safe, especially for children and babies.

Compliance with safety and pollutant requirements

Testers ensure that children's mattresses meet the required safety standards. Although mattress manufacturers are not required to comply with DIN EN 16890, they may decide to have their products tested to ensure their safety. The European standard DIN EN 16890 sets high safety standards for children's mattresses, requiring that they be designed to prevent children from choking, becoming trapped, strangling or swallowing small parts while sleeping. In addition, baby mattresses must not contain significant amounts of harmful substances, and are tested accordingly.

Check small parts and stickers

To prevent any risk of suffocation or ingestion of dangerous parts, it is crucial that baby mattresses do not contain small detachable parts or stickers . Some mattresses may not pass the test because they were deemed non-compliant. For example, two mattresses were found to be non-compliant, one had a cover zipper handle that was likely to break and the other had a mattress filling that was too easily accessible.

Check the hardness and size of the mattresses

Mattresses that are too soft can pose a high risk to babies as they can sink too deeply into the mattress, leading to an inability to breathe and potentially suffocation. For example, OEKO-TEX assessed the firmness of children's mattresses using a test using special balls, which checked that the ball did not sink too deeply into the mattress.
It is crucial that mattresses have precise dimensions to avoid, for example, babies getting stuck between the mattress and the bed frame. In the event that the mattress is too big or too small, this can pose a safety risk.

In conclusion, the OEKO-TEX label in bedding guarantees that products meet strict safety, health and environmental standards. Consumers can trust products bearing this label. The tests are reliable and carried out by independent experts to detect the presence of substances harmful to health and the environment. By choosing bedding products with the OEKO-TEX label, consumers can be sure that they are making a responsible choice for their health and the environment.