We pursued certification because transparency and accountability matter to us — especially in an industry where "sustainable" has become a word that is hard to understand.
Less than 1% of the world's textiles are tested for harmful chemicals. Let that sink in. The fabric sitting against your skin right now — the one you're wearing to your workout, to school pickup, to brunch — has almost certainly never been tested for the substances it might be releasing against your body.
That's not okay. And it's one of the reasons we made OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification a non-negotiable for Earthletica fabrics.
So, What Is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100?
OEKO-TEX® is an independent global testing and certification system for textiles. It's been around for more than 30 years, and more than 21,000 manufacturers and brands worldwide use it as a benchmark for what safe really means.
STANDARD 100 is their flagship certification — and it's a rigorous one. The testing covers over 1,000 harmful substances — heavy metals like lead, mercury and cadmium; formaldehyde; pesticide residue; phthalates; allergenic and carcinogenic dyes; volatile organic compounds; and more. The limits set by OEKO-TEX® don't just meet legal requirements — they often go beyond them, because they're designed to protect your health, not just keep a brand out of court.
The standard is also updated annually, keeping pace with emerging science and new regulatory findings. That means when new substances are flagged as potentially harmful, they're added to the list. It's not a one-time test and done — it's a living standard.
What Does "Product Class I" Mean?
There are four product classes within OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, based on how much skin contact a product has. Class I is the strictest — and it's the level required for products intended for babies and newborns.
Our fabrics are certified Product Class I.
We didn't have to meet that standard. But we chose to, because we don't think "good enough" is good enough. If the fabric is safe for a baby's skin, it's safe for yours — whether you're sweating through a HIIT session or wearing it all day. That matters to us.
Why Does It Matter in Activewear Specifically?
Activewear sits against your skin for hours. You sweat in it. The idea that we'd be okay with untested chemicals in that context — honestly, it never made sense to us.
The activewear industry has long relied not just on virgin plastics, but on chemical treatments — finishes that add stretch, moisture-wicking properties, odour resistance, and colour. Some of those treatments use substances that we'd all rather not know are there.
We don't add chemical treatments to our fabrics. Our two signature fabrics are made with 75% recycled materials — and no added chemical treatments. Combined with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, that means you know exactly what you're working with.
A Word on Microplastics
We want to be honest with you here, because that's how we operate.
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 tests for harmful chemicals — and it does that job rigorously. What it doesn't test for is microplastic shedding: the tiny synthetic fibres that can be released when you wash activewear made from recycled plastic.
Microplastics are a real and separate issue. Our fabrics are made from recycled materials — bottles and fishing nets given a second life instead of ending up in landfill or ocean. That's genuinely better for the environment than using virgin plastic. But we also know that recycled synthetic fabrics can still shed microplastics during washing, and that those particles can enter waterways.
We're working on it. Our innovation arm is actively exploring the next stage of reducing our reliance on elastane and plastic fibres altogether. It won't happen overnight — and we'll be upfront about where we are in that journey. The goal is activewear that feels and performs like a second skin, with no plastic at all. We're not there yet. But we're chasing it, constantly looking for innovation, and we'll bring it to you as soon as it's ready.
Why Certification Matters — and Why We Chose It
In an industry full of claims and no shortage of greenwashing, third-party certification is one of the most honest things a brand can do. It means we're not asking you to take our word for it. We're asking an independent body — one that has no stake in our business — to verify what we're saying is true.
We start with recycled because it's better for the environment. We add OEKO-TEX® certification because it's better for your body. And we keep going — because doing better today while striving for more tomorrow is the only standard that makes sense to us.
We won't be stopped. We will continue raising the bar to make activewear that works for you, your body and your planet.
