We are celebrating: The OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD certification is finally here!
It's finally official: Our black and undyed cowhide leather has been certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Leather Standard – Product Class I, the baby class. For us, this is not just a label, but proof that our leather products are free from harmful substances – and this has been consistently, measurably, and independently tested.
What exactly does the Leather Standard entail? How are tests conducted, which substances are prioritized – and what can small brands that purchase or distribute leather products learn from it? In this blog, we address the key questions and offer insights into why this certification marks a significant milestone for us.
Pollutant testing on the finished leather
The Leather Standard evaluates the finished material – not the processes, operations, or the entire tannery. The decisive factor is whether a leather complies with specific limit values. Among other things, the following are tested:
Chromium and other heavy metals
Biocides and Preservatives
Softener
Dyes and Dye Residues
Solvents
Many of these substances are strictly limited or completely prohibited. Even if certain substances are only present in small quantities, the test ensures that the entire manufacturing process is clean and safe.
Leather that meets these criteria is considered safe from a human-ecological perspective. This is not because it was produced in a particularly sustainable way, but because it is free of the substances that are ultimately relevant to the wearer.
Furthermore, a passed OEKO-TEX test also indicates the tannery's responsible choice of chemicals and process control. While sustainability is not directly assessed, a certificate demonstrates that the tannery handles chemicals consciously, cleanly, and in a controlled manner, selecting them according to the highest standards.
Who verifies – and how
Testing is conducted in independent laboratories. In Switzerland, TESTEX in Zurich is the recognized OEKO-TEX institute. There, material samples are tested impartially and strictly according to official criteria. About a year and a half ago, TESTEX approached us to ask if we would like to participate in a pilot project. This was a surprising request – and one that we would not have been able to afford under normal circumstances. Certifications are often simply too expensive for small businesses.
We were all the more delighted when we received the results last week: Our black and undyed cowhide leather were certified according to OEKO-TEX® Leather Standard – Product Class I, the baby class.
For us, this is more than just a label. It is a confirmation of what we have been pursuing for years: leather free from toxic chemicals, produced responsibly, and consistently clean in its formulation. And it is reassuring to know that an independent laboratory has now confirmed this.
What small brands should know now
For large manufacturers, certification is often routine. For smaller companies, the situation is different: they face limited resources, little influence over tanneries, high costs, and limited chemical expertise. Furthermore, while the Leather Standard is established in the industry, its application is not always a given.
Precisely for this reason, it is a valuable tool. Not as a marketing label, but as a control:
What truly goes into the leather I purchase?
Does it meet the standards that will be increasingly required in the future?
A step towards greater security
We view the Leather Standard not as an obligation, but as an opportunity. It's a chance to eliminate material risks, create transparency, and make future decisions based on a well-founded, measurable basis.
If you're a brand looking to source pollutant-free, OEKO-TEX certified leather products, and want to understand the crucial steps for assessing your supply chain and minimizing material risks, we're here to assist you. Together, we will examine the leather, assess the supply chain, and plan the next steps to ensure your materials become safer, more transparent, and more sustainable in the long term. Naturally, you can also directly source our certified black or undyed cowhide leather.