Everything you need to know about OEKO-TEX® certification – in plain language 💚

In a world where fast fashion has become the norm, and synthetic materials and chemical treatments are everywhere, we, the consumers, are starting to ask ourselves: What do the clothes we wear contain? Are they safe for the skin? Are they environmentally friendly? 🌿

This is where OEKO-TEX® certification comes in, an international standard that is increasingly talked about, but which, for many of us, remains a mystery. In today's article, we explain to you, in a way that everyone can understand, what this label means, why it is important and why, at Milla Milla, we follow it in every collection. 💚

📜 How did OEKO-TEX® certification come about?

The OEKO-TEX® certification was introduced in 1992 by two renowned European institutes: the Hohenstein Institute (Germany) and the Austrian Textile Research Institute (ÖTI). Their goal was simple but ambitious: to create a standardized system that would ensure that textiles do not contain substances harmful to humans. 🧪

In the early 1990s, consumer health concerns were becoming increasingly important in Europe. All kinds of harmful substances were being discovered in clothes – toxic dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals. Hence the need for clear, transparent and independent certification.

🔍 What does OEKO-TEX® mean, specifically?

OEKO-TEX® is a certification that guarantees that the textile material has been tested for over 100 known harmful substances, and that it does not pose a risk to human health. It is applicable not only to materials, but also to threads, buttons, linings or dyes.

There are several types of OEKO-TEX® certifications, but the most well-known and common is STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.

🧪 What is STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®?

This certification applies to all components of a textile product: from yarns, to fabrics, prints, zippers, buttons or labels. If a product carries the STANDARD 100 label, it means that all these components have been tested.

Testing is carried out by independent laboratories and takes into account the strictest international regulations. Furthermore, the standard is updated annually, based on new scientific discoveries and legal regulations in the health field.

👩🔬 What substances are tested?

Among the substances looked for in OEKO-TEX® tests are:
- heavy metals (lead, cadmium)
- formaldehyde
- carcinogenic azo dyes
- pesticides
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- plasticizers (phthalates)

Even the smallest traces of these substances are rigorously analyzed. The standard is so strict that in some cases it is more demanding than European legislation. ✅

👶 For whom is this certification important?

Everyone benefits when wearing OEKO-TEX® certified clothing, but it is especially essential for:
- children and babies 👶 (their skin is very sensitive)
- people with reactive or allergic skin
- pregnant women
- people who want a cleaner and more sustainable lifestyle

It is, in essence, a choice of care – towards yourself, your loved ones, and the environment.

🌿 What does OEKO-TEX® mean for the planet?

Although OEKO-TEX® is not an ecological certification in the strict sense (like GOTS or Bluesign), it contributes to cleaner consumption.

A material that does not contain toxic substances is safer not only for you, but also for the people who produce it, and for nature.
- Does not pollute water when washing
- Does not release hazardous compounds into the environment
- Does not involve harsh chemicals in production

It's an essential step towards more responsible fashion. 🌎

👗 At Milla Milla we ONLY use OEKO-TEX® certified materials

All the materials we use in our collections – from Spanish-printed poplin cotton to soft viscose and natural linen – are carefully selected and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified. ✅

Why? Because we care. Because we know that clothes are not just pieces of fabric – they touch your skin, they influence your mood, they tell your story. 💛

We want every Milla Milla dress to mean not only beauty and femininity, but also confidence and security.

🧠 Conclusion: why this label matters

It may seem like just another label. But OEKO-TEX® means something very simple and very profound: trust.

Trust that the dress you wear doesn't affect your health.
Trust that your choice supports a cleaner industry.
Confidence that, beyond beauty, what is invisible also matters.

At Milla Milla, we are guided by this principle. Our dresses are not only admired – they are also safe, clean, friendly. 🌸