OEKO-TEX® strengthens its commitment to biodiversity

OEKO-TEX® is intensifying its efforts to safeguard biodiversity. As part of this commitment, OEKO-TEX® is working with the environmental organisation Global Nature Fund on the project ‘Businesses for Biological Diversity’. Together, OEKO-TEX® and Global Nature Fund have analysed biodiversity aspects at the production level and developed specific criteria for the OEKO-TEX® STeP facility certification.

As part of the ‘Engaging German Companies for Biodiversiy – UBi’ project, Global Nature Fund, in cooperation with the Lake Constance Foundation, reviewed relevant standards and certifications in the textile and apparel industry to assess the extent to which they include effective requirements for the protection of biodiversity. The findings were discussed in expert forums with standard setters, textile companies and other specialists, leading to joint recommendations on how biodiversity can be better integrated in future.

With regard to OEKO-TEX® STeP, as part of its annual review, OEKO-TEX®, in collaboration with the Global Nature Fund, updated the requirements based on this knowledge. The revised standards came into force in September 2025.

Building on this strong foundation, the OEKO-TEX® STeP criteria have been expanded to place greater emphasis on biodiversity. The updated standard highlights sustainable raw material sourcing and the protection of natural habitats, while also addressing practices that contribute to biodiversity loss. From now on, OEKO-TEX® STeP certified production sites will be required to implement biodiversity management plans, set specific targets and provide regular reporting.

With the expansion of the OEKO-TEX® STeP criteria, OEKO-TEX® is committed to establishing biodiversity as an integral part ofsustainable production.