On June 23, 2025, OEKO-TEX announced that all biologically active products (biocides) are now banned in certified articles under the standards OEKOTEX STANDARD 100, OEKOTEX ORGANIC COTTON, and OEKOTEX LEATHER STANDARD when the article is for babies or when it has direct contact with mucous membranes.
Biocides are chemical agents intended to eliminate or repel harmful organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi by disrupting essential biological processes (e.g., cell membranes, metabolism). While often added to textiles to reduce odor, prevent mold, or provide antimicrobial protection, these substances can also interfere with human biological processes. Because of this, OEKO-TEX judged that their presence in products that come into very intimate contact with babies and mucous membranes posed a potential negative influence on human health.
What is covered under the ban?
The restriction applies to articles for babies and to products that come into direct contact with mucous membranes, regardless of their product class. While the OEKO-TEX® announcement does not specify a precise age limit, the organization’s broader certification framework (STANDARD 100 Product Class I) traditionally defines “baby articles” as those intended for children up to 36 months of age.
The ban also extends to intimate or skin-close apparel categories that could come into contact with mucous membranes. These include scarves, masks, or balaclavas, as well as sleepwear, swimsuits and athletic wear, undergarments, and other intimate apparel. In short, the rule covers any textile product with prolonged or sensitive contact with the body where the potential exposure to biocides would present a higher risk.
What does this mean for decorators?
This change directly impacts printers and apparel decorators who produce or embellish baby garments or skin-close apparel seeking OEKO-TEX certification. Whether printing on diapers (baby and adult), onesies, baby T-shirts, or undergarments, decorators must ensure no biocidal substances are introduced during the decoration process.
Ensuring compliance with the new OEKO-TEX standards will require careful attention from apparel decorators and printers, beginning with ink and pretreatment compliance. Printing inks, pretreatments, and post-print coatings often contain antimicrobial or odor-control additives that can fall under the definition of biocides. Printers must confirm with their suppliers that these products are completely biocide-free to maintain certification eligibility, as even trace levels of restricted substances could jeopardize compliance.
Equally important is supplier documentation and transparency. OEKO-TEX places a strong emphasis on chemical traceability, meaning decorators will need to obtain detailed safety data sheets and declarations from ink, chemical, and substrate suppliers verifying that no biocides are used in production or application.
In many cases, suppliers may need to reformulate or replace certain inks, coatings, or pretreatments used for baby and other covered apparel lines to eliminate biocidal ingredients. Printers should review and adjust their own processes as needed, ensuring all consumables meet the revised OEKO-TEX criteria. Production teams should also update chemical inventories and maintain close communication with vendors to confirm compliance.
Finally, while these updates may demand time and resources, they also present an opportunity for market differentiation. Printers that can demonstrate full OEKO-TEX alignment will be able to position themselves as more sustainable partners, an increasingly valuable distinction for babywear brands.
Looking Ahead
The OEKO-TEX ban on biocides reflects a broader tightening of chemical management within the textile supply chain. For apparel printers, especially those working in the babywear segment, this change is less about opportunity and more about adapting to stricter requirements that will soon define industry norms.
Compliance may require closer collaboration with suppliers, additional testing, and operational changes to meet the new certification standards. While the goal of protecting consumer health is broadly supported, the transition may still be challenging for decorators, who must balance stricter regulatory expectations with customer deadlines and production pressures.
In this article, Sara Osorio, Coordinator, EHS Affairs, PRINTING United Alliance, discusses changes to three OEKO-TEX Standards. More information on sustainability can be found at Sustainability or reach out to Sara directly if you have questions about how these issues may affect your business: sosorio@printing.org.
To become a member of the Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.
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