OEKO-TEX joins United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network

The UNFLN connects stakeholders across industry, policy, civil society, and the UN system, providing a structured space for accelerating collaborative action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a member, OEKO-TEX gains access to high-level engagement opportunities, visibility in global policy dialogues, and participation in cross-sector initiatives.

TESTEX: Official Representative and Strategic Contributor

As the official representative of the OEKO-TEX Association within the network, TESTEX is proud to support this multilateral effort. TESTEX will actively contribute its technical and scientific expertise, particularly in the areas of sustainable supply chain certification, environmental performance evaluation, and transparency mechanisms—while also supporting cross-sector collaboration on frameworks for traceability and responsible sourcing.

This role reinforces TESTEX’s long-standing engagement with public-private partnerships and international standard-setting processes and complements its advisory contributions to regional policy developments such as the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and the upcoming Green Claims Directive.

Leveraging Certification to Drive Impact on the SDGs

Through this affiliation, OEKO-TEX reinforces its contribution to systemic change across key sustainability priorities. Specific contributions include:

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being

OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 ensures that certified products are tested for harmful substances, supporting consumer health and safety.

• SDG 5 – Gender Equality

OEKO-TEX STeP includes criteria addressing non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and gender-sensitive workplace policies—promoting inclusive, equitable employment practices across certified facilities. 

• SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

OEKO-TEX STeP comprises robust criteria for wastewater management, chemical handling, and water usage optimisation in certified production sites.

• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

OEKO-TEX STeP’s Social Responsibility Modules assess labour practices, workplace safety, and fair employment throughout global textile and leather supply chains.

• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

Certification criteria are designed to be inclusive and accessible across different regions and company sizes, supporting equity in market access.

• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

The OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN label provides end-to-end product traceability and consumer-facing sustainability data, supporting informed choices and transparency.

• SDG 13 – Climate Action

OEKO-TEX tools integrate environmental impact metrics and carbon performance criteria to support climate-aligned production pathways.

• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Through its role in the UNFLN and other international alliances, OEKO-TEX collaborates with NGOs, academia, and industry actors to harmonise sustainability standards and methodologies.

Amplifying Impact Through Global Policy Platforms

By joining the UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network, OEKO-TEX and TESTEX position themselves within a UN-recognised ecosystem for knowledge exchange, policy engagement, and global visibility. Members of the network are featured through curated showcases, reports, and speaking opportunities at both the UN Headquarters in New York and through global online channels.

This membership provides a unique opportunity to scale the visibility of certified best practices, contribute scientific input to UN sustainability dialogues, and foster alignment across international initiatives that are shaping the future of textiles, leather, and lifestyle goods.

Looking Ahead

As regulatory and market landscapes evolve toward greater accountability and verifiability, OEKO-TEX’s participation in the UNFLN underscores its commitment to data-driven, independent verification as a foundation for progress.

TESTEX looks forward to deepening its engagement with fellow members of the network to advance shared sustainability goals through credible science, collaborative innovation, and policy-informed solutions.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)