7 min read · Updated 9 September 2026
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label appears on the vast majority of product pages in the Casemira catalogue. But what does it actually guarantee, who awards it, and why does it matter for a rug? Here is the precise reading, with no marketing shortcuts.1. Oeko-Tex Standard 100: the definition
**Oeko-Tex Standard 100** is an independent label created in 1992 by an international consortium of European textile institutes (Hohenstein in Germany, OETI in Austria and more than fifteen others). It is the most widely recognised textile certification in Europe. **What it fundamentally guarantees:** - The **absence of harmful chemical substances** listed in a European framework, verified on the finished product (not just the raw material) - Testing carried out by an **independent body** (the network of approved Oeko-Tex laboratories) - **Compulsory annual renewal** of the certification (a product certified five years ago no longer counts as certified if the brand has not renewed it) - **Traceability** through a unique, checkable certificate number **What it does not guarantee (worth knowing, so you do not confuse the two):** - Where the product was made - The overall environmental footprint of production (carbon, water, biodiversity) - Working conditions in the workshops (covered by other certifications such as STeP or GOTS) - How long the product will last in use (a matter for other quality criteria) For the wider picture on judging the quality of a rug, see how to recognise a quality rug and what makes a good rug brand.2. The 4 Oeko-Tex classes
The certification distinguishes **4 classes of product** according to how much they touch human skin, with chemical tolerance thresholds that get stricter as contact increases. **Class 1: products for babies and toddlers (up to age three).** The strictest criteria. It covers nappies, bottles, comforters, baby clothes and children's bed linen. For some substances the tolerated thresholds are 10 to 30 times lower than in class 4. **Class 2: products in direct contact with the skin.** Clothing, sheets, underwear, towels. Strict criteria. **Class 3: products with no prolonged direct skin contact.** Jackets, coats, shoe linings. Moderate criteria. **Class 4: furnishing materials.** Curtains, tablecloths, **rugs**. The least strict criteria (though still demanding compared with an uncertified product).| Class | Type of product | Relevance to rugs |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Babies < 3 years (nappies, clothing) | Relevant for a baby's bedroom rug |
| Class 2 | Direct skin contact (clothing, sheets) | Relevant where a child crawls on the rug |
| Class 3 | Occasional contact (coats) | Barely relevant to rugs |
| Class 4 | Furnishings (curtains, rugs) | The standard for an adult rug |
3. Which substances are tested
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 framework covers **more than 1,000 potentially harmful substances**. Here are the main families tested. **Heavy metals.** Lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, nickel, arsenic. Potentially present in synthetic dyes, surface treatments and latex backings of variable quality. **Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).** Formaldehyde (textile finishes, synthetic latex backings), benzene, toluene. These substances can be released into the air, particularly in the first months of a new rug's life. **Pesticides and herbicides.** Potential residues on natural fibres (cotton, wool), monitored in particular on conventional non-organic cotton. **Carcinogenic azo dyes.** Some synthetic dyes can release aromatic amines classified as carcinogenic by the European Union. The Oeko-Tex framework bans those dyes explicitly. **Phthalates.** Plasticisers used in some finishes and PVC backings. Particularly closely controlled for classes 1 and 2. **Preservatives and biocides.** Anti-mould and anti-mite substances sometimes applied as a finish, and monitored by the framework."A certified rug is not a perfect rug. It is a rug whose chemical thresholds have been checked."
4. Why it matters for a rug
Three characteristics make the certification particularly relevant for a rug, more so than for other household textiles. **A large surface.** A 200×300 cm living room rug covers 6 m². Any volatile substance is diffused across a significant area, in a room that is often poorly ventilated in winter. **A long life in use.** A rug stays in place for 5 to 15 years. Any substances present have time to migrate, particularly with heat (underfloor heating, direct sun, a nearby radiator). **Varied contact with the household.** Bare feet in a living room or bedroom, children crawling or playing on the floor, pets sleeping on it. All of those increase direct contact with the fibre. **How hard it is to wash thoroughly.** Unlike a garment washed every week, a rug goes in the machine every 2 to 3 months at best (if the design allows) or more rarely. So the original substances stay present far longer. For a household with young children, pets or anyone sensitive, Oeko-Tex certification is a central criterion, not a minor detail.5. How to verify the certification
There are three ways to check that a rug really is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. **An explicit note on the product page.** Any serious brand mentions the certification explicitly among the product specifications, not just in a general marketing banner on the home page. If the certification appears only in the site footer and not on the product page, be cautious. **A unique certificate number.** Every Oeko-Tex certification carries a unique number in the form "XX.XX.XXXXX", checkable on the official site oeko-tex.com. A serious brand can supply that number on request for the product concerned. **The class, stated where it matters.** For a child's or baby's bedroom, ask for the class (ideally 2 or 1 for those uses). Customer service should be able to answer. **Signs of an incomplete or expired certification:** - A note saying "meets Oeko-Tex standards" with no mention of the class - No certificate number available - A reference to an old certification that has not been renewed To check our own certifications, Casemira customer service is available on **02 59 66 01 35**, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm, or by email at **contact@casemira.com**. See also our About us page.6. Where Casemira stands on Oeko-Tex
Of the **904 designs in the Casemira catalogue**, **more than 600 are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified**, around 66 % of the range. Here is the overview by collection.| Collection | Oeko-Tex certified designs | % certified |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor rugs | 30 out of 30 | 100 % |
| Handmade rugs | 56 out of 56 | 100 % |
| Scandinavian rugs | 17 out of 17 | 100 % |
| Children's rugs | 21 out of 25 | 84 % |
| Runner rugs | 39 out of 60 | 65 % |
| Living room rugs | 128 out of 250+ | ~50 % |
7. FAQ: Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Your questions about Oeko-Tex Standard 100
What exactly does Oeko-Tex Standard 100 guarantee?
The absence of harmful chemical substances listed in a European framework (more than 1,000 substances monitored), verified on the finished product by independent laboratories, with compulsory annual renewal. It does not guarantee where the product was made, the overall environmental footprint of production, or how long the product will last.
What is an Oeko-Tex class?
Four levels according to skin contact: class 1 (babies < 3 years, the strictest criteria), class 2 (direct skin contact), class 3 (occasional contact), class 4 (furnishings, the standard for an adult rug). For a child's bedroom rug they crawl on, aim for class 2 as a minimum; for an adult living room rug, class 4 is enough.
How many Casemira designs are certified?
More than 600 designs out of 904 in the Casemira catalogue are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, around 66 %. Some collections are 100 % certified (outdoor rugs 30/30, handmade rugs 56/56, Scandinavian rugs 17/17). It is stated explicitly in the "Specifications" section of every product page concerned.
How do I verify the certification before buying?
Three checks: (1) an explicit note on the product page (not just a site-wide banner), (2) a certificate number available on request, (3) the class stated for sensitive uses (a baby's bedroom). For Casemira, contact customer service on 02 59 66 01 35, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm, or by email at contact@casemira.com.
Why can an uncertified rug be a problem?
Four reasons: (1) a large diffusion surface (a 6 m² rug in a living room that is often poorly ventilated in winter), (2) a long life of 5 to 15 years, (3) varied contact (bare feet, crawling children, pets), (4) infrequent washing, which does not flush out the original substances. Particularly relevant for households with young children, pets or anyone sensitive.
What is Casemira's policy on certification transparency?
Every Casemira product page states the certifications obtained explicitly. More than 600 designs are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified out of 904 in the catalogue. Customer service is available Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm, on 02 59 66 01 35 to supply the exact certificate number on request. Free returns within 30 days of delivery if the product is not right.
Written by the Casemira team, based in Brittany.
