Starting in 2026, there will be an important change to the OEKO-TEX® new regulation release schedule of the different OEKO-TEX® standards:
- The new limit values and standard updates for OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, LEATHER STANDARD, ORGANIC COTTON and ECO PASSPORT will be communicated on 3 March 2026. Following a three-month transition period, the new regulations for these affected standards will then come into effect on 1 June 2026.
- For OEKO-TEX® STeP, MADE IN GREEN and RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS, there will be no standard updates in 2026. The next updates to these affected B2B certifications and the MADE IN GREEN product label will take place in 2027.
Important note:
The adjustment to the publication and implementation process of the new OEKO-TEX® regulations is permanent and will apply in all subsequent years!
OEKO-TEX® new regulations – future release dates and implementation timeline
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD
OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT
- Update interval:
annually - Date of publication:
1 March of each year - Entry into force:
1 June of each year - Next update:
3 March 2026
OEKO-TEX® STeP
OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN
OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
- Update interval:
every 2 years - Date of publication:
1 March of the relevant year - Entry into force:
1 June of the relevant year - Next update:
1 March 2027
Your benefits at a glance
- Smooth and direct integration of updated legal requirements into the new OEKO-TEX® regulations, e.g. new substances from the ECHA Candidate List
- Fewer interim updates to the applicable OEKO-TEX® requirements
- A simpler and more transparent planning process with regard to meeting compliance requirements
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Supplement PPE & Materials for PPE
The most important changes in the new version:
- The PFAS limit values have been adjusted exclusively to the legally applicable limit values.
- The limit value for TCPP does not apply to PPE.
- The antimony limit values do not apply to PPE certified according to product categories II and III.
All currently applicable limit values can be found OEKO-TEX® RSL.
These limit values can be applied immediately upon publication on 9 December 2025.
OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD
The most important changes of the new standard version are:
- Alignment with French PFAS regulations
- Annexes 4 and 5 can now be found in the OEKO-TEX® RSL
The changes will come into force on 1 January 2026.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT
For these three OEKO-TEX® standards the following updates will come into effect on 6 October 2025:
- The PFOS limit value is set to 25 µg/kg (for ECO PASSPORT threshold and limit values)
- The limit value for PFOS related substances is set to 1 mg/kg (for ECO PASSPORT, the threshold remains at 250 µg/kg)
- Two new SVHC are added with a limit value of 1000 mg/kg (for ECO PASSPORT threshold and limit values):
- Decamethyltetrasiloxane (CAS: 141-62-8)
- 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-Heptamethyl-3-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]trisiloxane (CAS: 17928-28-8)
- The limit for formaldehyde emissions is being adjusted (applies to STANDARD 100 and LEATHER STANDARD)
The OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD will be updated later, at the turn of the year in December 2025.
In addition to these changes, we would like to draw your attention to further adjustments that will also apply with the new edition of the OEKO-TEX® standards:
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 / LEATHER STANDARD
The ban on biologically active products for baby articles and products that come into contact with mucous membranes, which has been in force since 1 April 2025, will be particularly highlighted in the standard document in the next update. The ban on biocides is the result of their potentially negative impact on human health, especially in sensitive areas of application such as baby products and menstrual articles.
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT
OEKO-TEX® added biodegradability as a requirement for certain chemical products. These affected products may either show proof through OECD / ISO test methods or by providing a self-declaration. However, biodegradability will only be mentioned on the ECO PASSPORT certificate if OECD / ISO test results are provided. If specific substances are classified as biodegradable by ECHA, no OECD / ISO tests are required.
Changes regarding PFAS
- From 1 January 2026, hydrolysis will also be carried out as part of OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT product certification when PFAS is tested. This additional sample preparation step was already introduced for textile samples in 2024.
- In addition, we would like to inform you that we will be responding to an upcoming change in French legislation. It is highly likely that stricter limits for PFAS will apply in France from 1 January 2026. These correspond to the limits currently planned for future EU-wide regulations.
- In order to act in accordance with our promise that you are legally compliant with OEKO-TEX®, these limit values will also apply to OEKO-TEX® from 1 January 2026. For your information, the new PFAS limit values can be found in the updated edition of the OEKO-TEX® standards.
From January 2026, the new limit values will then be applied in OEKO-TEX® laboratory tests (STANDARD 100, LEATHER STANDARD, ECO PASSPORT, ORGANIC COTTON).