OEKO-TEX Strengthens Governance Ahead Of EU Green Rules
OEKO-TEX is strengthening its governance structure and independence ahead of stricter European Union rules on greenwashing and sustainability labels, which take effect from 27 September 2026.
The changes are aimed at aligning the OEKO-TEX certification system with the EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo, EU 2024/825), while also preparing the organisation for future regulatory developments.
The EmpCo Directive introduces stronger requirements to protect consumers from misleading environmental claims and requires sustainability labels to be based on certification schemes whose requirements are independently verified by third parties. OEKO-TEX® said it has been preparing for these requirements and has undertaken adjustments based on several independent legal opinions.
A key element of the reorganisation is a clearer separation between standard setting and conformity assessment, designed to strengthen the independence and transparency of the certification system.
The measures include converting the existing GmbH into a public limited company (AG), introducing a Statute of Independence, establishing an Independence Council, and implementing an anonymous whistleblowing system. OEKO-TEX is also introducing an accreditation agreement aligned with ISO/IEC 17065, while its certification bodies are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.
A new governance structure, with a Board of Directors as the highest governing body, will further support the organisation’s independence.
For customers and industry partners, OEKO-TEX said there will be no changes to day-to-day operations. Testing, auditing and certification processes will continue as before, while the new structure is intended to provide stronger evidence of independence and credibility for companies using OEKO-TEX labels.
Standard setting will continue to involve independent external experts through a multi-stakeholder process that includes public consultation.
Dr Alfred J. Beerli, CEO of OEKO-TEX, said the strengthened structure would reinforce consumer trust by ensuring that environmental and sustainability claims are independently verified and transparently supported.
