OEKO-TEX Made in Green Certification Explained
International (Switzerland-based) · Established 2015
Audit Level: Third-Party Audit
An independent third party conducts an audit of the brand's facilities or documentation. More rigorous than self-declaration.
Supply-chain verified: Yes.
| Supply Chain | Verified |
| Cost for Brands | Additional certification on top of OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or STeP. |
| Recognized In | Global |
Editorial Analysis
A supply chain transparency label combining product safety with social and environmental production conditions. Scannable QR code links to full supply chain traceability. Requires OEKO-TEX Standard 100 plus OEKO-TEX STeP (sustainable production practices). Does not certify vegan status — a cashmere jumper can carry this label.
In depth
How the certification works
MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX is a product label rather than a standalone standard. It is issued by the OEKO-TEX Association, a Zurich-based association of independent textile testing and research institutes, and it works by stacking two existing certifications. First, the finished article must be certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (or, for leather articles, the OEKO-TEX Leather Standard), meaning laboratory testing of the product against a catalog of harmful substances, including some that are legally permitted but considered problematic. Second, the key stages of production must take place in facilities certified to OEKO-TEX STeP (Sustainable Textile and Leather Production), an audit-based factory certification covering chemical management, environmental performance, social responsibility, occupational health and safety, and quality management.
Certification work is carried out by the association's member institutes, which conduct both the product testing and on-site facility audits. A MADE IN GREEN label is valid for one year and must be renewed, and OEKO-TEX performs control checks, including tests on products purchased from the market, to verify continued compliance.
The QR code and supply chain traceability
Every MADE IN GREEN labeled article carries a unique product ID and a QR code. Scanning the code, or entering the ID on the OEKO-TEX Label Check website, brings up information about where the item was produced: the production stages involved and the countries in which they took place, and in many cases the names of the certified facilities. This makes it unusual among mainstream textile labels in offering consumer-facing supply chain traceability rather than a simple pass-fail mark.
The same lookup also confirms whether the label itself is valid, which provides a practical defense against counterfeit or expired labels. The level of detail shown can vary — some supply chain participants are displayed by name, others only by country and production stage — so the transparency is real but not always complete. For shoppers, the practical takeaway is that a MADE IN GREEN claim can be verified in seconds, whereas most sustainability claims printed on garment tags cannot be checked at all.
What the label does and does not guarantee
MADE IN GREEN verifies three things: the finished product has been tested for harmful substances, it was made in facilities audited for environmental and social criteria, and its supply chain can be traced. It does not verify fiber content or origin in the way material-focused standards do. It is not an organic label — unlike GOTS, it sets no requirement for organic fiber, and conventional cotton or synthetics qualify without restriction.
Most importantly for this wiki, it makes no claim about animal-derived materials. Wool, silk, down, cashmere, and — since the program was extended to leather articles — leather can all carry the label if the testing and facility requirements are met. STeP's social module addresses working conditions for people, not welfare standards for animals, so MADE IN GREEN should not be read as equivalent to the Responsible Wool Standard or Responsible Down Standard on animal welfare, nor to any vegan certification.
Compared with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 alone, MADE IN GREEN is the stricter mark: Standard 100 covers only product chemistry, while MADE IN GREEN adds production conditions and traceability on top.
How vegan shoppers should use it
For a vegan consumer, MADE IN GREEN functions as a supporting signal, not a primary filter. The label indicates that a garment was tested for harmful substances and produced under audited environmental and social conditions, which is relevant information, but it says nothing about whether the item contains animal fibers.
The practical routine is to check the fiber composition on the care label first — wool, silk, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, down, and leather trims are the common animal-derived components in labeled products — and treat MADE IN GREEN as an additional data point once the material question is settled. A garment made entirely of cotton or synthetics that carries the label offers both a vegan material profile and verified production conditions.
Where a brand advertises both MADE IN GREEN and a vegan claim, the two are independent: the vegan claim comes from the brand or from a separate scheme such as PETA-Approved Vegan, and MADE IN GREEN neither confirms nor contradicts it.
Frequently asked questions
Is OEKO-TEX Made in Green vegan?
No. MADE IN GREEN does not certify vegan status, and products containing wool, silk, cashmere, down, or leather can carry the label. It verifies harmful-substance testing, audited production facilities, and supply chain traceability, not material origin. Vegan shoppers still need to check the fiber composition separately.
What is the difference between OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and Made in Green?
Standard 100 tests only the finished product for harmful substances. MADE IN GREEN requires Standard 100 plus production in STeP-certified facilities, which are audited for environmental performance, chemical management, and working conditions, and it adds a QR code for supply chain traceability. In short, Standard 100 is about product chemistry; MADE IN GREEN adds how and where the item was made.
Does OEKO-TEX Made in Green mean organic?
No. The label sets no requirement for organic fibers, and conventional cotton or fully synthetic garments qualify. If organic fiber content matters to you, look for GOTS, which requires certified organic fibers as its baseline.
How do I check a Made in Green label?
Scan the QR code on the label or enter the product ID on the OEKO-TEX Label Check website. The lookup confirms whether the label is valid and shows the production stages and countries involved in making the item. If the ID does not resolve, treat the claim with suspicion.
Can leather or wool products carry the Made in Green label?
Yes. Animal-derived textiles such as wool, silk, and cashmere are eligible, and the program has been extended to leather articles certified under the OEKO-TEX Leather Standard. The label addresses chemical safety and production conditions, not the presence or absence of animal materials.
Does OEKO-TEX Made in Green involve animal testing?
No. OEKO-TEX product testing is analytical laboratory work performed on textile and material samples to check for harmful substances; the certification process itself does not involve testing on animals. This is why this wiki classifies the label as cruelty-free even though it is not vegan.
Summary
Type
Cruelty-Free
Established
2015
Origin
International (Switzerland-based)
Scope
Textiles