OETS 100 SalesPro BABY JUNIOR EN - Oeko-Tex
Transcription
OETS 100 SalesPro BABY JUNIOR EN - Oeko-Tex
FOR SALES PROFESSIONAL S Category baby and junior Testing textiles for harmful substances Training material Know more – give better advice Training provided by the Foundation OEKO-TEX® and the Federation of German Textile Retailers (BTE) BTE Bundesverband Textileinzelhandel T R A I N I N G M AT ER I A L The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 – what is it? The product label “Confidence in Textiles – textiles tested for harmful substances according to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100” is an independent certification system for textile products of all kinds (untreated and dyed/finished yarns and fabrics, readymade articles, accessories) which have been proved to be free of any substances which might be harmful to people‘s health. The laboratory testing and certification of the textiles is carried out by one of the 15 OEKO-TEX® member institutes in Europe and Japan. In Germany and France, the certificates are issued by the OEKO-TEX® Certification Centre. The testing for harmful substances is based on an extensive list of criteria which is updated annually and sets out requirements for safe textile products that apply universally worldwide. The test criteria cover: • legally banned and regulated substances (e.g. certain carcinogenic dyes, phthalates and heavy metals such as nickel) In order for an article to be certified and endorsed with the OEKO-TEX® label, every part of it without exception must comply with the required test criteria - so not only the outer material and the sewing yarns but also accessories like ribbons, cords and filling foam, as well as any coatings, prints or other patches. • chemicals that are harmful to the health but for which there are not yet any statutory regulations (e.g. certain allergenic dispersion dyes, pesticides, tin organic compounds) • parameters for health protection (e.g. a skin-friendly pH value, good colour-fastness) Labels Sewing thread Zips Press studs Fabrics Jeans Chart: In order for an article to be certified and endorsed with the OEKO-TEX® label, every part of it without exception must comply with the required test criteria. FOR SALES PROFESSIONAL S What kind of products carry the OEKO-TEX® label and where can I find them? The focus of product certification in accordance with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is in the clothing and home textiles sector, although it also applies for technical textiles and medical applications. In the particularly sensitive sector of baby and child products, the label “Confidence in Textiles” can be found, for example, on playsuits, bibs, terry products, baby sleeping bags, textile toys or bed linen. But baby changing table supports, mattresses, pillows and blankets or pushchair trimmings are also being awarded with the OEKO-TEX® label. Since product labelling is voluntary, not all certified articles also carry the OEKO-TEX® label. In cases of doubt, it is therefore worth asking the manufacturer about specific items - and this is where you can score as a specialist salesperson! OEKO-TEX® certified textiles are available in all sections of the retail trade: • in specialist retail outlets • in specialist departments of department stores • from mail-order retailers (catalogues and online) • from discount stores in the non-food sector • on online portals and exchange markets Why OEKO-TEX®? – 4 good reasons Textiles certified under the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 offer consumers real additional benefits! 1 They have been proved not to be harmful to our health and at the same time they also have other product properties which consumers are looking for today, depending on the intended purpose of the textiles: – soft and easy-care materials, bright colours and patterns, good colour-fastness, a long service life, reasonable price etc. Much of what we wish for and expect to find in modern textile products can only be achieved with the use of certain chemicals! 2 The safety of textiles is a quality feature which cannot be judged by the naked eye - neither by you as a trained sales representative nor by the buyer themselves! The voluntary OEKO-TEX® label contributes to greater product safety, because it covers numerous substances and test parameters which are not yet explicitly regulated by law. Whether or not an article contains undesirable harmful substances can only be established beyond doubt by specific tests in the laboratory. There is different legislation on possible harmful substances for different processing stages and countries. That is why the OEKO-TEX® list of criteria is so important, because it is applied consistently worldwide. That is why the label is a valuable supplement to the legal regulations and product controls imposed by national investigating offices. OEKO-TEX® criteria still often provide the precedent for new legislation and greater consumer protection 3 4 That is why it is all the more important that no undesirable substances are used during the textile production, which could remain as a residue in the end product and cause health problems for the wearer. OEKO-TEX® product classes Under the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, a distinction is made between four product classes, depending on the intensity of the contact with the skin: Product Class I Product Class II Product Class III Product Class IV Articles for babies and toddlers under the age of 3 such as rompers, bibs, bed-linen, pillows, blankets, towels, bath-robes, face-cloths, changing mats, sleeping bags, stuffed toys and many more Articles used close to the skin such as clothing worn next to the skin, or, in the domestic textiles sector, pyjamas, pillows, blankets, bed-linen, towels, mattresses etc. Articles not in contact with the skin e.g. jackets, coats, outdoor items etc. Furnishing fabrics for decorative purposes e.g. table linen, blinds, curtains, net curtains, bedspreads, floor coverings, upholstery fabrics, loose covers, throws, wall coverings etc. Products tested for harmful substances for delicate children’s skin – 7 facts for all-round safety The aim of product certification under the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is to endorse products that have been proved not to be harmful to people’s health. The OEKO-TEX® test methods take account of all the possible ways in which harmful substances may be absorbed into the human body: For consumers, the “Confidence in Textiles” label provides a high degree of security in several different regards: > by inhaling (emissions testing) The test criteria and methods underpinning the OEKO-TEX® label are based on the specific intended use > through the skin (simulation tests using synthetic sweat solution) 1 Products in direct and intensive contact with the skin have to meet stricter requirements than articles that are not worn next to the skin. Because babies have particularly sensitive skin, there are even stricter specifications for their products than for textiles like bed-linen that are in contact with the skin. 2 OEKO-TEX® also carries out random checks after the certificate has been issued, to ensure continued compliance with the required test criteria. 4 6 Products bearing the OEKO-TEX® label are purchased from retailers and tested in the laboratory. Product inspections are carried out every year on at least 20% of all certificates issued. > by swallowing (simulation tests using synthetic saliva solution) Consumers can check the validity of an OEKO-TEX® label themselves at any time on the Internet, using the test number on the label. 7 The laboratory tests are carried out only by specialised, independent and accredited textile testing institutes. 5 (www.oeko-tex.com/validity) The test criteria are updated every year and are mandatory worldwide. So it makes no difference where OEKO-TEX® certified products were manufactured or sold. A certificate is only awarded if all the components of an end product comply with the OEKO-TEX® requirements. Safe alternatives: Young child: - Hood with elastic straps inside the edge of the hood Older child: - Adjustment tapes with a maximum length of 75 mm - Width controlled by a pushbutton toggle General: Drawstrings at the waist must be secured with a cord stop. In general, the ends of drawstrings/ cords, must not have any decoration or be knotted. Safe alternatives are secured or fused cord ends. Safe alternatives - Drawstrings secured in the middle with elasticated waistband. © Joujou_pixelio.de Age groups under the “Cord standard” Young child: 0–7 years or up to 134 cm tall Older child: 7–14 years or 135 – 182 cm tall See and be seen Rules governing their size and positioning and reflective features. - Decorative trim only on the front Long trousers General: On garments reaching to the ankle, any decorative or functional cords on the lower edge must be fully enclosed inside the garment. Safe alternatives - No decorative or functional cords on the lower hem - Can be pulled tight using pushbutton Retroreflective*** material Background material Front and on back warning clothing for non-professional use are given in DIN EN 1150. Suitable fluorescent** colours: This is the slogan under which tens of General: No drawstrings orIndecorative thousands of children starting school fact, even or on quite “normal” jackets, • green come outand at hats for children, are introduced to modern functional cords whichtrousers In the “Know-how for the • orange • yellow-green • orange-red the back or have to be fastened at road safety every year. fluorescent and (retro)reflective • yellow sales professional” series, • red the back. However, numerous materials are increasingly • yellow-orange • pink accidents, especially being used. - Sashes must not extend more the following titles have at night, at dusk or • Surface area of the background than 360 mm beyond the However, to achieve an in poor weather, material depends on body size, already fastening. Measured untied adequate warning effect, been published can be prevented e.g. for clothing size 140, at and from the point to which the size of the patches by choosing and can least 0.24 m². they are tied. and their positioning are be downloaded suitable clothing important. Safe alternatives with fluorescent • Evenly distributed over all parts of the body. • Surface area of each patch UV protection no smaller than 25 cm² Wearing or Ease of care and sleeping comfort UV protection Ease of care Wearing and sleeping comfort Safe fastenings Flammability Warning clothing • Positioning is particularly Safe fastenings Flammability Warning clothing Testing for harmful substances Quality labels Wind-ofand waterproofing sleeves and legs, at a distance Testing for harmful substances Quality labels Wind- and waterproofing minimum width 25 mm important at the ends of the at least 5 cm from the hem. FAC H H A N D E L General “Textiles & baby skin” Any company “Textile safety for children” PartAny 2 Street 11 12345 Any Town (online shortly) High-visibility jacket Children‘s jacket, UV protection In the year of the summer Olympics, measure your specialist knowledge “Textiles & babies‘ skin” W W W. O EKO -T E X . CO M / B R A N D S Front and back General: No drawstrings or decorative or functional cords which come out at the back or have to be fastened at the back. - Sashes must not extend more than 360 mm beyond the fastening. Measured untied and from the point to which they are tied. knowledge for the Responsible manufacturers can confirm that their products are designed in accordance with the “Cord standard” by obtaining a certificate from an independent institute. Older child: - Adjustment tapes with a maximum length of 75 mm - Width controlled by a pushbutton toggle Safe alternatives None General: Drawstrings at the waist must be secured with a cord stop. Safe alternatives - Drawstrings secured in the middle with elasticated waistband. already been published i UV protection Ease of care Safe fastenings Flammability Warning clothing Testing for harmful substances Quality labels Wind- and waterproofing Wearing and sleeping comfort and can be downloaded from www.oeko-tex.com/ salespro FAC H H A N D E L General - Zip fasteners must be no longer than 75 mm Safe alternatives - Secured or fused cord ends Long trousers UV protection following titles have - Can be pulled tight using pushbutton Young child: 0–7 years or up to 134 cm tall Older child: “Textiles & baby skin” “Textile safety for children” Part 2 (online shortly) Warning clothing Flammability Safe alternatives - No decorative or functional cords on the lower hem 7–14 years or 135 – 182 cm tall ANZEIGE K N OW- H OW FÜ R D E N V E RK AU F S P RO FI Basiswissen Textilien & Babyhaut General: Loose ends of drawstrings/cords must not have any decorative trim or knot. - Decorative trim only on the front General: On garments reaching to the ankle, any decorative or functional cords on the lower edge must be fully enclosed inside the garment. Age groups under the “Cord standard” In the “Know-how for the sales professional” series, the following titles have Chest and waist The requirements of the “Cord standard” In general, the ends of drawstrings/ cords, must not have any decoration or be knotted. Safe alternatives are secured or fused cord ends. sales professional” the Zip fasteners must not be more than 75 mm in length. S P E C I A L I S T R E TA I L ER S | PA R T 1 Know-how for the sales professional Textile safety for children Neck: Garments must not have drawstrings with loose ends. Adjusting tapes are permitted, but must not be longer than 75 mm. Safe alternatives: Young child: - Hood with elastic straps inside the edge of the hood Wearing and sleeping comfort Use your knowledge to score points and win! In the year of the summer Olympics, measure your specialist knowledge against colleagues from all over Europe in the “OEKO-TEX® SalesPro Games 2012”. The best sales staff in various product categories will be able to enjoy a trip to London to the Olympic Games or one of several valuable material prizes. www.oeko-tex.com/salespro already been published salespro: Wash separately Do not use detergents with optical brighteners! Do not use softening agents. Store protected from exposure to light! More information and contact: International OEKO-TEX® Association | Secretariat | Gotthardstrasse 61 | Postfach 2156 | CH-8027 Zürich | info@oeko-tex.com | www.oeko-tex.com | Foundation OEKO-TEX® GmbH | Kaiserstraße 39 | 60329 Frankfurt | Germany | info@certification-oekotex.com To avoid escalators and playgrounds becoming potential death-traps, cords and fastenings must be designed to be safe. The standard DIN EN 14682 “Safety of children‘s clothing – cords and drawstrings on children‘s clothing” contains recommendations about how the fastenings on garments for children up to the age of 14 should be designed. from www.oeko-tex.com/ Use your knowledge to score points and win! Enter E n t e r and a n d win! w i n ! against colleagues from all over Europe in the “OEKO-TEX® SalesPro The Thhe cutest baby b abby picture atGames 2012”. The best sales staff in various product categories will be able to enjoy a trip to London to the Olympic Games or one of several www.facebook.com/oekotex www facebook com/oekotex valuable material prizes. www.oeko-tex.com/salespro More on page 3 *** Retroreflective materials reflect most of the light that falls on them, regardless of their orientation, back towards the light source (e.g. car headlights etc.). By contrast, materials described as “reflective” reflect the light equally in all directions, and so less strongly towards the light source. In terms of visibility by other road users (car drivers), this can be a disadvantage. W W W. O EKO -T E X . CO M / P R O D U C T S Keep fingers away from cords and drawstrings In the series “Specialist and can be downloaded DIN EN 1150 Background material yellow 85% polyester / 15% cotton Wearing and sleeping comfort max. 25 x Enter E n t e r and a n d win! win ! The Thhe cutest baby b abby picture at www.facebook.com/oekotex www facebook com/oekotex More on page 3 “Textiles & babies‘ skin” ** Fluorescent materials are particularly important for visibility in daylight. That is why, on high-quality warning clothing, retroreflective and fluorescent materials are combined. More information and contact: International OEKO-TEX® Association | Secretariat | Gotthardstrasse 61 | Postfach 2156 | CH-8027 Zürich | info@oeko-tex.com | www.oeko-tex.com | Foundation OEKO-TEX® GmbH | Kaiserstraße 39 | 60329 Frankfurt | Germany | info@certification-oekotex.com Article no. 56565….. Warning clothing Flammability • Applied as a stripe, logo or other format • Assessing the warning effect in new condition and after artificial ageing (exposure to light) • Testing the surface area and positioning of fluorescent background material and retroreflective patches - Zip fasteners must be no longer than 75 mm Safe alternatives - Secured or fused cord ends ANZEIGE K N O W- H O W F Ü R D E N V E RK AU F S P RO FI Basiswissen Textilien & Babyhaut General: Loose ends of drawstrings/cords must not have any decorative trim or knot. • On hats or caps: retroreflective material on the sides. Measuring high visibility under DIN EN 1150 salespro I S ITORNE FTA ISNPFEOCRI A MLAT O IRL ER PASR E N T S Know-how the professional K N O W - H O W F Ofor R PA R E Nsales TS Basic knowledge on textiles and the skin of babies • Positioning also useful at the bottom of the jacket and at chest height. from www.oeko-tex.com/ None Chest and waist The requirements of the “Cord standard” Zip fasteners must not be more than 75 mm in length. 5 S P E C I A L I S T R E TA I L ER S | PA R T 2 Know-how for the sales professional Textile safety for children - Fotolia.com Responsible manufacturers can confirm that their products are designed in accordance with the “Cord standard” by obtaining a certificate from an independent institute. Garments must not have drawstrings with loose ends. Adjusting tapes are permitted, but must not be longer than 75 mm. S P E C I A L I S T R E TA I L ER S | PA R T 1 Know-how for the sales professional Patches Textile safety for children continued Oleksandr You can find further information in relation to OEKO-TEX® in the illustrated brochures. You can download this from www.oeko-tex.com. W W W. O EKO -T E X . CO M / B R A N D S © Pakhay To avoid escalators and playgrounds becoming potential death-traps, cords and fastenings must be designed to be safe. The standard DIN EN 14682 “Safety of children‘s clothing – cords and drawstrings on children‘s clothing” contains recommendations about how the fastenings on garments for children up to the age of 14 should be designed. I S ITORNE FTA ISNPFEOCRI A MLAT O IRL ER PASR E N T S W W W. O EKO -T E X . CO M / P R O D U C T S Know-how the professional K N O W - H O W F Ofor R PA R E Nsales TS Five essentials in textile safety Basic knowledge on textiles and the skin of babies Neck: © Joujou_pixelio.de W W W. O EKO -T E X . CO M / B R A N D S Oleksandr W W W. O EKO -T E X . CO M / P R O D U C T S Keep fingers away from cords and drawstrings © Pakhay Further training for the baby and junior category - Fotolia.com 3 Enter by 15.05.2012 at www.oeko-tex.com/salespro “Textile safety for children” Part 1 (also online) Testing for harmful substances Safe fastenings Use your knowledge to score points and win! In the year of the summer Olympics, measure your specialist knowledge against colleagues from all over Europe in the “OEKO-TEX® SalesPro Games 2012”. The best sales staff from various product categories will be able to enjoy a trip to London to the Olympic Games or one of several valuable material prizes. www.oeko-tex.com/salespro More information and contact: International OEKO-TEX® Association | Secretariat | Gotthardstrasse 61 | Postfach 2156 | CH-8027 Zürich | info@oeko-tex.com | Enter by 15.05.2012 at www.oeko-tex.com/salespro www.oeko-tex.com | Foundation OEKO-TEX® GmbH | Kaiserstraße 39 | 60329 Frankfurt | Germany | info@certification-oekotex.com “Textile safety for children” Part 1 Sign up by 15.05.2012 at www.oeko-tex.com/salespro “Textile safety for children” Part 2 B T E & F O U N D AT I O N O EKO -T E X® Why are tests for harmful substances on textiles for babies and children so important? Characteristics of quality baby clothes Good workmanship ■ it‘s the only way to ensure baby will long enjoy his or her favourite things Durable, hygienic materials ■ because these clothes are washed frequently Comfortable fit Children’s sensitive skin Only by the end of puberty does human skin have all its own protective mechanisms. That is why independent testing for harmful substances is particularly important for textiles coming into contact with children’s delicate skin. Safety when buying textiles is provided by the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 system with its “Confidence in textiles – tested for harmful substances” label endorsing millions of products since 1992. Safe textiles There are especially strict requirements for textiles for babies and toddlers up to the age of 3 years. Special attention is paid to ensuring that no harmful substances can be released in saliva or perspiration. Functionality with no regrets In order to be able to serve all kinds of functions, today’s clothes use all kinds of materials and textile treatments such as dyes, prints and coatings. That is why, under the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, all the components, materials and treatments are tested against the more than 100 parameters in the list of criteria. ■ clothing that‘s too tight reduces sense of well-being Soft, supple materials/fibres ■ to avoid skin irritation High wearing comfort ■ to avoid stressing the body through overheating or chilling Free of harmful substances ■ e.g. superior colourfastness, because babies chew on nearly everything they put in their mouths ■ e.g. free of allergenic dyes or heavy metals, such as nickel in metal buttons Epidermis ■ e.g. free of finishings that contain formaldehyde Graphic: Baby skin (left) and adult skin (right) in comparison Functional safety (with proper use) ■ e.g. no long cords ■ no possibility of skin becoming caught in zips Veins and arteries Dermis Epidermis Perspiration duct Callus Pigment cells Skin cells Langerans cells Capillaries Merkel cells Dermis ■ e.g. free of banned softeners or synthetic coatings, etc. ■ durable and safe attachment of accessories and parts, to ensure that they cannot be swallowed, etc. FOR SALES PROFESSIONAL S Five essentials in textile safety 1 No close contact with harmful substances Not only children‘s skin but their whole organism is particularly sensitive to harmful substances. That is why textiles for children must not give off harmful substances either in contact with the skin or if they are sucked or chewed. So the laboratory testing for the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 uses synthetic sweat and saliva solutions to test whether harmful chemical substances may be released from clothing and textile toys. 2 Safe fastenings If they become caught in escalators or toys, for example, cords and drawstrings can pose a fatal risk to children. However, there are number of other safe yet attractive ways in which children‘s clothing can be fastened. Since 2005, the DIN EN 14682 “Safety of children‘s clothing – Cords and drawstrings on children‘s clothing” has given recommendations on the safe design of clothing for children under the age of 14. 3 Avoid incendiary situations In general where children are concerned: avoid situations involving an open flame. Here, parents bear special responsibility. The flammability of textiles varies greatly. Wool is naturally not easily flammable. Fabrics made from cotton burn up very quickly leaving almost no trace (like paper). Polyester, on the other hand, burns more slowly, melting and burning into the skin. Mixed fabrics made from cotton and synthetic fibres are very dangerous. On the one hand, they catch fire very quickly in contact with a flame, and on the other, they melt under the effect of heat. This is why in the USA and other countries where open fires are more common, flameretardant treatments for children‘s sleepwear are widely used, to reduce the risk of them catching fire. In Europe, Carnival costumes are subject to the Toy Safety Directive 88/378/ EEC which regulates the flammability of this kind of product, because of the high potential risk. 4 Wearable sunscreen Of course, playing outside is best when the sun is shining. Children will often forget not only the time but also the dangerous consequences of spending too long in the sun. In children, the skin‘s natural protection mechanisms are not yet fully developed. However, children can be protected from the skin damage caused by high-energy solar radiation by wearing special UV-protection clothing, which leaves some cosmetic sunscreens “in the shade”. When the UV protection factor (UPF = Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of textiles is being measured under UV Standard 801, the real-life stresses and strains of everyday wear and tear (stretching, moisture, Football shirt ■ printed and flocked Material: Polyester Flocking Possible contamination with phthalates (from plastisol prints), tin organic compounds Material: Viscose Possible contamination with extractable heavy metals, banned azo dyes Making sure that children‘s clothing (and clothing in general) fits properly is a very important factor in preventive safety. Make sure the textiles fit close to the body; garments that are too wide and flapping can accidentally come into contact with open flames and catch fire. Football trousers Material: Polyester Possible contamination with allergenic dispersion dyes Socks Material: Polyester & Elastan Possible contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) 4 examples of OEKO-TEX® criteria for children’s sports clothing. ageing) are taken into account. This means that textiles tested under UV Standard 801 provide safe protection from the sun even if they are wet, stretched or worn. Other measuring systems which only consider the new textile in its unstretched and/or dry condition should therefore be treated with caution, because unfortunately they do not take account of some factors which could have a negative effect on the UPF in practice. 5 See and be seen This is the slogan under which tens of thousands of children starting school are introduced to modern road safety every year. However, numerous accidents, especially at night, at dusk or in poor weather, can be prevented by choosing suitable clothing with fluorescent and reflective features. Rules governing their size and positioning on warning clothing for non-professional use are given in DIN EN 1150. In fact, even on quite “normal” jackets, trousers and hats for children, fluorescent and (retro)reflective increasingly being used. materials are However, to achieve an adequate warning effect, the size of the patches and their positioning are important. Passive / active safety Passive safety Materials tested for harmful substances Explanation • Elimination of banned azo dyes, carcinogenic or allergenic dyes, pesticides and softeners (phthalates) • Strict limit values for heavy metals and formaldehyde • Colourfastness • Skin-neutral pH value Can be tested by Testing for harmful substances under the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Especially important for Baby articles Underwear Outerwear Domestic textiles • No cords or drawstrings on clothing for children under 7 years. • Limitations for older children Compliance with DIN EN 14682 “Safety of children‘s clothing” Children‘s clothing of all types • Washable at higher temperatures, so that pathogens are reliably killed. Labelling on the product In the case of illness: underwear and nightwear Bed-linen • Breathability and thermal insulation appropriate to the activity or area of use, giving maximum support for bodily functions. • Protection against loss of body heat and overheating. Wear comfort ratings are based on independent laboratory testing, taking account of the moisture and heat management characteristics of the processed materials. Hats and caps Outerwear Jackets and coats Trousers • Protection from the weather Since there are no standardised regulations, independent quality testing is useful. Hats and caps Outerwear Jackets and coats Trousers • Protection from burning in contact with an open flame Compliance with DIN EN 14878 “Burning behaviour of children‘s nightwear”. The regulations can also be applied to other textiles for children. Or laboratory testing under DIN EN 6940 to determine the flammability of textiles. Loose-fitting clothing (and other textiles) which could come into contact with an open flame. Safe fastenings Easy care Comfortable to wear and sleep in Wind- and waterproofing Flame resistance FOR SALES PROFESSIONAL S Active Explanation Can be tested by • High UV protection (UPF) to avoid premature ageing of the skin or skin cancer caused by high-energy UV radiation UV protection factor calculated in accordance with UV Standard 801* High UV protection factor Especially important for Outerwear Swimwear Headwear Shading textiles (sunshades, beach shelters etc.) • Increased visibility in traffic due to use of reflective materials DIN EN 1150 for high-visibility clothing not used professionally Jackets, trousers, headwear Bags and rucksacks • To relieve the symptoms of neurodermatitis by normalising the skin flora Laboratory testing under ISO 20743 ASTM E 2149 Special underwear for neurodermatitis sufferers High visibility Antimicrobial treatments * Alternative measuring systems such as those under AS/NZS 4399:1996 and EN 13758-1 are not regarded by experts as being sufficiently realistic and so can only be recommended with some reservations. Further information at www.uvstandard801.de 3 tips for selling Be proactive in pointing out to your customers the additional benefits of textiles that have been tested for harmful substances under the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. For more and more consumers, environmentally friendly and socially responsible production of textiles plays an important role in their purchasing decisions. Many customers do value the safety of the articles they are buying but may initially have other priorities (bright colours and patterns, long lasting, easy to wash, soft and supple materials etc.) and may not even know that there are products that have been tested for harmful substances. (I) Demonstrate your specialist expertise by pointing out to your customer that there is a special certification process for assessing environmentally friendly and socially responsible production processes at textile factories – STeP by OEKO-TEX® (www.oeko-tex.com/step). At www.oeko-tex.com/salespro a list of OEKO-TEX® certified manufacturers and brands of baby and children’s articles can be found. (II) Try to explain to your customer as clearly as possible the main idea behind the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 – what it can actually achieve: Look to see whether you have products from these manufacturers/brands in your own range and point out to interested customers that there is a list of OEKO-TEX® certified branded articles that anyone can look at on the OEKO-TEX® website at www. oeko-tex.com/brands > the aim of the certification is to exclude possibly harmful substances from textile production and so to offer consumers safe products. 1 2 3 www.oeko-tex.com More information and contact: Foundation OEKO-TEX® GmbH Phone: + 49 69 400 34 08-0 Kaiserstraße 39 60329 Frankfurt / Germany info@certification-oekotex.com > In that context, the “Confidence in Textiles” label is not only suitable for “niche products” made of organic raw materials and produced in environmentally friendly conditions but covers a wide range of the products that are available today and produced using conventional methods. (III) For example, you could also explain to your customer that the use of raw materials from certified organic farms (“organic cotton”) by no means guarantees that textile products are safe – as a result of subsequent production stages such as dyeing and finishing, harmful chemicals can end up in these textiles too. BTE Bundesverband Textileinzelhandel International OEKO-TEX® Association Secretariat Splügenstrasse 10 | P.O. Box 2156 8002 Zürich / Switzerland info@oeko-tex.com