OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 tests textiles for harmful substances by product class, with the strictest limits for baby items. What it covers on a mattress, and what it doesn’t.
OEKO-TEX is a family of textile certifications; the one you will see on mattresses and bedding is STANDARD 100. It tests textile components against limit values for a long list of regulated and suspect substances, and it grades by product class — the closer a textile sits to skin, and the younger the user, the stricter the limits.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is certified? | Eligible textiles, components, foam and mattresses; check the exact certified article |
| What is tested? | Limit values for harmful substances, including regulated and not-yet-regulated ones |
| Product classes | Class I (baby items) has the strictest limits; classes step down by skin contact |
| Out of scope | Organic content, mattress comfort and a room-specific indoor-air result; check the certificate for the article covered |
| How to verify | Every certificate has a number and issuing institute you can check |
What STANDARD 100 tests for
Testing covers substances such as regulated azo colorants, formaldehyde, certain heavy metals, pesticides, chlorinated phenols, phthalates in relevant articles and specific allergenic dyes. The list is updated annually and includes substances that are not yet legally restricted, which is the program’s main argument for itself. Every certified article carries a certificate number and the name of the issuing institute.
Why product class changes the meaning
Class I applies to articles for babies and toddlers and generally has the strictest criteria; the other classes reflect different types of contact and use. Ask which class and product the certificate names. Certification does not replace infant sleep-safety requirements: for babies, use a firm, flat sleep surface designed to fit a safety-compliant crib, with a fitted sheet and no loose bedding, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What it does not cover on a mattress
STANDARD 100 can apply to mattresses, foams and other eligible materials as well as textiles. A certificate might cover a particular cover or foam component, or a finished article; check the actual scope. It does not establish organic content or measure the air in your bedroom. For emissions, look at GREENGUARD Gold; for organic content, GOTS and GOLS; for foam, CertiPUR-US.
OEKO-TEX on bedding, where it matters most
A STANDARD 100 label on sheets, pillow covers or protectors applies to the article described on its certificate. Do not assume a certificate for one component covers the whole bedding product or a mattress. Our bedding comparison records certifications alongside measured results for the sheets and pillows we have tested.
Verifying a certificate
Ask for the certificate number and issuing institute, then confirm it is valid and covers the article you are buying. Certificates have expiry dates and are renewed annually, so a screenshot from three years ago is not proof of current status. Where we cannot confirm a live certificate, our records say “not disclosed.”
How to check an OEKO-TEX label
- Find the certificate or label number and the issuing institute on the product listing or label.
- Enter the number in the official OEKO-TEX Label Check. The program says label numbers are case sensitive.
- Confirm that the result is valid and identifies the article or components you are buying. A certified mattress cover alone is different from a certificate covering the finished mattress.
- Check the product class and applicable standard, and ask the seller or issuing institute if the scope is unclear.
STANDARD 100 testing assesses substances against its criteria. It does not establish that a product is organic, free of every chemical, comfortable or suitable for every individual sensitivity.
Example: cover versus finished mattress
If a listing calls the cover STANDARD 100 certified, check the certificate for that cover and its product class. Do not extend the claim to the foam, fire barrier or complete mattress unless the certificate identifies that scope. A label check and a question to the seller can clarify the distinction.
Related guides
Back to the Mattress Certifications & Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is OEKO-TEX the same as organic?
No. It limits harmful substances in textiles regardless of whether fibers are organic. OEKO-TEX also runs a separate organic-cotton program, which is a different certificate.
Does OEKO-TEX cover the foam inside?
It can. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 applies to eligible foams and mattresses as well as textiles. Check whether the specific certificate covers the foam or the finished article.
Which OEKO-TEX class applies to baby products?
Class I applies to products for babies and children up to age three and has the program’s strictest limits. Check the exact certified article; the label is separate from crib and sleep-safety requirements.
Do certificates expire?
Yes. They are issued for a limited period and renewed, so ask whether the current certificate is valid.
Sources
Certification descriptions reflect each program’s published requirements at the time of writing; programs update their criteria, so verify a current certificate before purchase. Yawnder does not issue or administer any certification.