The modern society of today is witnessing a mass shift towards eco-friendly and naturally sustainable products for a healthy lifestyle. There is reasonable consciousness among people for the environment, with a notable increase in the use of organic and OEKO-TEX® certified products. When it comes to bedding accessories, there are a host of environmentally friendly options to choose from, like an organic alternative down comforter.
Moving to the specific utilities, both organic and OEKO-TEX® approved accessories are dedicated to preserving the environment. Producing high-quality, eco-friendly bedding elements from recycled materials, both product categories aim for environmental sustainability. There are, however, varieties of specific certifications and terms associated with each category. It is important to understand the difference between them to choose the best accessories for your sleeping spaces. Let us have a better insight about the same in what follows next:
- 1.What Does Organic Mean?
- 2.What is OEKO-TEX®?
- 3.What Does STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Mean?
- 4.Comparison Between Organic and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
- 5.Conclusion
1. What Does Organic Mean?
In the most basic sense, organic is a term used for a product or utility that has been prepared or derived from naturally available materials. As for the textile industry, organic fabrics are crafted from naturally growing plant fibers without chemical fertilization. Such raw materials possess inherent resistance to pests and insects and don't require chemical means of preservation. The most common form of organic fabrics is organically grown cotton. Some other forms of organic fabrics include organic wool and organic silk.
The certification for a product to be called organic is not as simple as it is thought. There are some important considerations to look through. You can call some textile fiber organic, if the latter's origin, growth, and manufacturing process follow the organic standards. For cotton fabrics to be organically certified, their production process should be free from the use of prohibited chemicals for at least 3 years. Likewise, organic wool fabric is derived from sheep that are organically certified.
This affordably means that the sheep need to be raised in line with organic standards and the pasture land should be free of chemical products for a minimum of 3 years. Talking of organic silk, the fabric production process should be such that the silkworms are not destroyed during the cocoon harvest. To refer to textile as fully organic, the post-production stages of manufacturing should also accord with the organic standards. This means that the spin and dye processes need to be chemical-free as well.
Organic textiles are greatly beneficial for the environment as they help to keep the soil fertile and replenish its nutrients. Organic cotton plays an important part in the natural food chain since it is used to derive organic food for animals and human beings. It also reduces the pollution level of the atmosphere by lessening the overall carbon dioxide emissions. The water content required by organic farming methods is significantly less than the chemical growth processes. These textiles are easy to recycle after decomposition and do not release harmful chemicals into the environment.
2.What is OEKO-TEX®?
As the picture above shows, this is silky comforter, PeaceNest PrimeSoft™ Lightweight Down Alternative Comforter, which is certificated by OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, that is to say, you can be certain that every component of this comforter, i.e. every thread and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances and that the comforter, therefore, is harmless for human health.
Besides OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, there are a series of certifications and terms to define naturally sustainable and eco-friendly products. Landing among the same is the OEKO-TEX® approval that guides textile companies and consumers toward making responsible choices for the sustainable future of our planet. The latter extends a variety of services and certifications to ensure consumer safety. These certifications are a check on the manufacturing processes and the usage viability of textile products on the environment and consumer health. The certification is issued after a series of quality tests to ensure product sustainability.
As for the functioning bodies, the leather and textile quality checks are carried out by partner institutes that operate independently. These organizations test the aforesaid fabrics at every stage of production for the presence of environmentally harmful chemicals. They additionally put forward the guidelines for sustainable production concerning society and the environment for the manufacturing units. Such guidelines and production criteria are regularly updated and expanded for ensuring maximum protection for the consumers and the environment.
As of the present time, 17 OEKO-TEX® partner institutes work together in Japan and Europe. These organizations conduct research and develop advanced testing methods, along with identifying environmentally sustainable production limits for leather and textile industries. Their consumer and industry support network is spread across 60 countries to render quick local support in your preferred language. Moving ahead, let us have a look at some of the major OEKO-TEX® certifications in what follows next:
2.1 OEKO-TEX® Made In Green
This is a visible product label for leather and textile commodities that are tested to be free from harmful chemicals. Such products are manufactured in an environmentally sustainable facility, within socially acceptable working constraints.
2.2 OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
This one is again a product label that certifies textile products to be environmentally sustainable at each stage of the manufacturing process. The approval assures that the product is free of harmful chemicals.
2.3 OEKO-TEX® Leather Standard
Similar to the Standard 100 certification, this product label guarantees that leather textiles are free from hazardous chemicals. It also ensures that the products have been manufactured with eco-friendly means and processes.
2.4 OEKO-TEX® STeP
The STeP acronym is expanded as Sustainable Textile & Leather Production. The certification sets sustainable guidelines for product manufacturing in the socially responsible and eco-friendly leather and textile production units.
2.5 OEKO-TEX® Detox to Zero
This certification allows the manufacturing units within the supply chain to keep a check on the sludge quality and wastewater management through an annual status report. The status is essentially required to be in line with the standards of the Greenspace Detox Campaign.
2.6 OEKO-TEX® Eco Passport
This certification permits the use of eco-friendly and non-hazardous chemicals, auxiliaries, and colorants in the leather and textile industries. The chemicals are tested through a multi-step process to ensure that they are not harmful to human health as well.
3. What Does STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Mean?
As stated above, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is a label to guarantee that the certified products are free from harmful chemicals that are not good for consumer health and the environment. This one is the best and widely acknowledged textile certification for product safety and consumer loyalty. Buying a textile product with this label assures you of complete health safety. The label is a surety that all the elements of the textile, including the buttons, threads, and accessories are examined for being free from hazardous chemicals. PeaceNest is one of the few brands on the market that can guarantee that every product they make is certified by OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. In addition to the safety of their products, they are also concerned about the sustainability of the planet, so they have launched a recycling program called PeaceNest Sustainability Project. Any PeaceNest eco-friendly bedding you purchase that reaches the end of its useful life can be shipped back to them, and they will recycle these products to protect our planet.
Such products are safe for your health, along with being environmentally sustainable. The tests are carried out under the supervision of the OEKO-TEX® partner institutes, in line with the exclusive OEKO-TEX® criteria catalog. The test observes a series of non-regulated and regulated chemicals and substances which can harm the consumer’s health. The STANDARD 100 criteria catalog undergoes a yearly expansion to include new scientific improvements and better guidelines. The variations in legal constraints for harmful chemicals are updated regularly by the OEKO-TEX® institute experts.
Talking of the product categories valid for this certification, all kinds of textile productions are eligible candidates. The products are tested at each stage of the manufacturing process, right from the threads to the processed fabrics. The final article is again subjected to a series of tests to ensure maximum safety for the environment and consumers. In simple words, every component and ingredient of the manufactured textile is thoroughly tested before the assignment of the STANDARD 100 product label. You can visibly say that attaining the certification is not that easy.
Apart from the buttons, linings, threads, and zippers, the paints and coatings on the outer layer of the textile are also examined in line with their specific criteria. This product label certifies the credibility of clothing, home and baby textiles, and fabric-based decorative items. The certification divides textile products into 4 different classes. Class 1 comprises baby products and has the strictest norms. Class 2 and Class 3 respectively comprise products with and without skin contact. Class 4 consists of decorative products that are used for home and commercial furnishing.
4. Comparison Between Organic and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
Considering the facts of human health and environmental sustainability, the organic and OEKO-TEX® certified products are treated as being the same. The 2 are, however, fundamentally different from each other. Organic refers to a specific type of raw material growth and fabric development. OEKO-TEX®, on the other hand, examines products and their manufacturing processes for certifying them as environmentally sustainable and safe for consumer health. Let us see how these 2 terms differ from each other in a few more respects in what follows next:
The organically certified products are prepared from naturally occurring raw materials that are derived from plants and animals. The plants are allowed to grow in natural conditions without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. If at all there is a need to use petroleum-based or synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, they are added in line with the stringent norms of organic certification. Organic cotton is obtained through this process. As for organic wool, the sheep are bred and looked after in natural pasture lands. The cocoon harvest is done without harming the silkworms to obtain organic silk.
There are some specific product standards, like the GOTS and ACO that need to be met for organic certification. OEKO-TEX® certification, on the contrary, takes interest in the manufacturing processes of textile products, including post-production operations. There are specific tests for examining the production credibility at every stage from raw material processing to fabric finishing and dyeing. The certification renders the qualified products chemical-free, safe for consumer health, and environmentally sustainable.
The common certifications awarded by OEKO-TEX® institutes include the STANDARD 100, Made In Green, Leather Standard, and others. These standards are universally accepted, unlike the organic ones that differ with the type of raw material being considered. Another point of difference is the updating and research conducted for both certifications. While the organic standards are more or less constant, the OEKO-TEX® standards of textile and leather manufacturing are updated with new scientific add-ons every year.
5. Conclusion
Besides the concept of OEKO-TEX® and organic alternative down comforter mentioned, now there are brands that take more actions to contribute to the sustainability of our planet, and PeaceNest is one of these brands. PeaceNest All Season Crinkle Down Alternative Comforter (100% Recycled Material) is a eco-friendly down alternative comforter whose cover is made from 100% REPREVE certified recycled polyester, which makes it breathable, soft and sustainable.
The current times have seen a transition of consumer lifestyles and preferences from traditional to eco-friendly products. When it comes to home care and interior décor, the concept is well applied to bedding accessories. The present market scenario talks of organic and OEKO-TEX® certifications for sleeping utilities. As an example, the organic cotton down alternative comforter range is quite popular among health and environmentally conscious consumers. OEKO-TEX® certified products are also getting ample recognition with the change in social outlook towards a sustainable environment.
Keeping your comfort at the top priority, the OEKO-TEX® or organic down comforter alternative is the best bedding accessory you can ever get. Such comforters are well suited for the most specific and diverse sleeping preferences, without the risk of skin allergies and other health problems. You can snuggle into these super soft and cozy comforters for a tranquilized sleep, away from the stress and commotion of the outside world. These eco-friendly comforters give you the satisfying feeling of being close to nature while taking care of the environment. You are, therefore, entitled to a dual benefit.
In the light of product manufacture, examination, and credibility standards, the two terms are visibly different. The major goal of both the certifications is, however, the same. Both are dedicated to bringing the best and top-quality products to the consumer's disposal for an everlasting and comfortable sleeping experience. The similarity extends to the domain of environmental concern as well, where both the facilities aim to create a sustainable future for the upcoming generations on the planet. You are thus rendered with premium quality products for maximum comfort.
