OEKO-TEX joins the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network

(CONNECT) OEKO-TEX, the international certification system for sustainable textile and leather products, has joined the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network (UNFLN). It will be represented in the UNFLN by TESTEX, as detailed in a press release. As a member of UNFLN, an organization that connects stakeholders from the worlds of industry, politics and civil society with the UN ecosystem, OEKO-TEX will be able to access vital engagement opportunities, gain visibility in global dialogues and participate in cross-sector initiatives.

Membership of the UNFLN strengthens OEKO-TEX’s contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, the OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 already ensures that certified products are tested for harmful substances (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being). The OEKO-TEX STeP also includes criteria for non-discrimination and equal opportunities (SDG 5 - Gender Equality).

As the representative of OEKO-TEX in the UNFLN, the Zurich-based testing and certification organization TESTEX states that it intends to support the network by leveraging its technical and scientific expertise in the areas of sustainable supply chain certification and environmental performance, in addition to helping with transparency mechanisms. TESTEX already has a long-standing commitment to public-private partnerships, which can be seen, for example, in its advisory contributions to the upcoming EU Green Claims Directive. Moving forwards, TESTEX intends to deepen its engagement with other members of the network with the aim of underpinning the sustainability goals through credible science, collaborative innovation, and policy-informed solutions. ce/ja