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OEKO-TEX Tightens PFAS Limits and Adds New SVHCs from 1 June 2026

Updated STANDARD 100 limit values apply from 1 June. US apparel brands marketing OEKO-TEX certified products in Europe need to verify certification renewal timelines against the new standard.

Key Takeaways

►PFAS limits tightened across all STANDARD 100 categories

►New SVHCs added to the restricted substances list

►Certification holders must verify against new limits

►Lapsed certification removes a key EU sales signal

OEKO-TEX updated its STANDARD 100 limit values from 1 June 2026, tightening PFAS restrictions across all product categories and adding new substances of very high concern (SVHCs). Brands holding current OEKO-TEX certification need to verify their formulations and supply chains against the new limits to maintain certification status.

1 Jun 2026 OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 updated limit values take effect — PFAS tightened across all categories, new SVHCs added (Source: OEKO-TEX / Testex)

OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is a widely-marketed certification in European apparel retail. For US brands selling OEKO-TEX certified products in Europe, the certification functions as a consumer trust signal in markets where textile chemical awareness is significantly higher than in the US. EU retail partners and marketplace operators frequently list products on the basis of their certification status, making active certification a commercial prerequisite in certain distribution channels.

A certification that lapses because updated limit values were not checked on time is both a compliance failure and a commercial one. European retail partners and marketplace operators who have listed products based on certification status will need to be notified of any lapse or suspension. Proactive communication about the 2026 limit value review is a stronger commercial position than a reactive notification after certification has been suspended.

The 2026 PFAS tightening mirrors the direction of EU REACH regulation. Brands that have already reviewed supply chains for REACH purposes may find the OEKO-TEX update requires a further step: the voluntary standard can be stricter than the regulatory baseline in specific categories. Running the OEKO-TEX limit value check alongside the REACH PFAS review covers significant overlap and avoids separate audit processes for what is often the same supply chain concern.

OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 limit values updated from 1 June 2026 — applies to all product categories
PFAS restrictions tightened across all STANDARD 100 categories in the 2026 revision
New substances of very high concern (SVHCs) added to the restricted substances list
Brands holding certification must verify formulations and supply chain compliance against the new limits before next certification audit

If OEKO-TEX certification is a product claim your EU listings or retail partnerships rely on, verify the new limit values now — before the certification renewal window creates a gap.

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The bigger picture

Voluntary standards and EU regulation are converging on PFAS

OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 and EU REACH are separate systems — one voluntary, one regulatory — but they're moving in the same direction on PFAS. The 2026 OEKO-TEX update brings the voluntary standard closer to regulatory requirements in certain PFAS categories. For US apparel brands targeting European retail, managing both is increasingly the same conversation: audit your supply chain against the tighter PFAS limits, address any gaps, and document the process.

Request updated test reports from your fabric or trim suppliers against the 2026 OEKO-TEX limit values — this is the fastest way to identify any gaps in certification compliance
Cross-reference with your EU REACH PFAS review if you've already completed one — the restricted substances lists may not be identical, but the supply chain audit covers significant overlap
If you market OEKO-TEX certification to EU retail partners, notify them proactively that you're verifying compliance against the updated 2026 limits — it demonstrates supply chain awareness, not a problem

OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 Updated

PFAS restrictions tightened across all product categories, new SVHCs added — brands holding certification must verify against the new limits

1 Jun 2026

Source: OEKO-TEX / Testex

New SVHCs Added

Substances of very high concern added to the OEKO-TEX restricted list in the 2026 revision — check current formulations against the updated standard before next certification audit

2026 Revision

Source: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100

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OEKO-TEX Tightens PFAS Limits and Adds New SVHCs from 1 June 2026

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Key Takeaways

The bigger picture

Voluntary standards and EU regulation are converging on PFAS

If this sounds like your world, let's talk.

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