The Ultimate Guide to Baby Clothing Certifications: Safe, High-Quality, and Sustainable Choices

OEKO-TEX® and GOTS Labels Explained. Recognize Fabrics That Meet Strict Safety, Sustainability, & Fair-Trade Standards 

When you become a parent, your newborn’s happiness and well-being take center stage. From that moment on, every decision you make reflects your commitment to create a safe and loving place for your baby to thrive. You strive to promote healthy living by making educated choices about reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. This is especially true when it comes tobaby clothes. With​ growing concerns about toxic substances used inchildren’s apparel, it’s crucial to prioritize‌ safe materials and good manufacturing practices. Look for certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OEKO-TEX Standard 100, or CPSC. These labels indicate fabrics have been tested for toxic compounds, eliminating the guesswork in dressing your baby and ensuring peace of mind.

 

In the sea of safety certifications and seals, it can be very confusing and overwhelming for new parents to make the right choice. This guide will help you identify products that are both eco-friendly and safe for children. We will focus on two major certifications - OEKO-TEX® and GOTS, and briefly introduce other standards in textile manufacturing. When you learn what each seal means you’ll have more confidence in picking a brand you can trust and your infant will be dressed in quality, non-toxic clothes that align with your values. 

OEKO-TEX® Certified Baby Apparel by MA-MA NYC - Dress Your Little One in Safety & Comfort

MA-MA NYC is a small business founded by two moms on a mission to support other moms in their journey to wellness. We want to tell a beautiful story of new moms who embrace safe and healthy lifestyle choices and about making a positive impact on the world around us. We’ve created a support network that promotes well-being of every baby, but also to provide moms with peace of mind, confidence, and much needed support that they have chosen what’s best for their little one. Every thread, stitch, and label is crafted with care to prioritize your baby's comfort and safety. OEKO-TEX® certification indicates that every piece we make meets strict safety standards and the fabrics we use are free from harsh chemicals and safe for newborns with sensitive, delicate skin. Our OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified stylish product line for kids includes bamboo footies, onesies, baby swaddles, kids pajamas, and accessories.

Harmful Chemicals in Kids’ Clothing 

Did you know that there may be toxins in baby clothing that may affect kids’ health long-term? While washing may remove some harmful components, it’s impossible to wash them away completely because many of them, such as finishes, dyes, and flame retardants, and can’t be easily washed out. 

 

They are used to make clothing stain-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, and durable. These chemicals are harmful not only to humans but also to our environment. These toxins can cause various health issues, with children being more vulnerable due to their smaller body size. Plus, they are inclined to put clothes in their mouths, which significantly increases the risk of developing health issues.

  • PFAS (“forever chemicals”) - They can build up in the body and cause serious health complications. They contaminate soil, water, and air and don’t break down easily. 
  • Formaldehyde - It’s used to increase resistance to wrinkling and staining, and to preserve color. It can trigger skin irritation, eczema, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions.  
  • Phthalates – They are present in dyes and inks used in clothing manufacturing. Exposure to phthalates is linked to asthma, diabetes, ADHD, and timing of puberty.
  • Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic) – Heavy metals are typically found in fabric dyes, particularly in bright colors. Although their levels in babywear is usually regulated, you should still familiarize yourself with the brand before you make the purchase. Heavy metals are also found in textile wastewater and pollutes air, water, and soil. 

Why Certified Clothing is Essential for Your Baby’s Health

A baby's skin is delicate and highly permeable until fully developed, around the first or second year, making it more prone to absorbing harmful substances. Because it’s more sensitive than adults’ skin, even low concentrations can cause irritations, allergies, eczema, respiratory issues, and long-term health complications.

 

What can you do to protect your baby from exposure to harmful elements in clothing? 

Start by researching the brand and their manufacturing practices before you make the purchase. Pick the one that prioritizes sustainability. Remember to always wash new clothing to wash away potential contaminants. But, most importantly, check the labels. Harmful chemicals are commonly found in non-certified materials.

 

Certification labels denote that clothing is manufactured without toxic substances through ethical and sustainable production practices. Eco-friendly and ethical manufacturing supports your baby’s health, fair wages, safe working conditions, supply chain responsibility, responsible sourcing, energy efficiency, and minimizing environmental impact.

What is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certification?

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is one of the best-known independent certifications in the world. It verifies that all materials and every component of a product is free from harmful chemicals. Every single part of garment - threads, buttons, zippers, labels, and prints – is tested to ensure it has no risk to your baby’s health. It’s a standard that brings peace of mind to parents looking for toxic-free baby apparel and complete textile safety.

OEKO-TEX® testing 

The certification process follows a strict testing regimen, including tests for over 100 toxic agents (regulated and non-regulated) to ensure the product meets stringent safety standards. It checks materials for potentially hazardous substances, such as phthalates, Formaldehyde, heavy metals, Azo dyes, flame retardants, pesticides, herbicides, and many others. 

Why choose OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 baby clothes? 

Chemical components in clothing can easily irritate babies’ delicate skin and cause rashes, allergies and other health problems. That’s why parents must choose high quality, safe garments that have met stringent manufacturing standards to protect their little ones.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label is a clear sign that your baby’s health is not jeopardized and that the product is completely safe. 

 

OEKO-TEX® label on baby clothing means that it is:

  • Toxic-free - OEKO-TEX® certified garments are verified to be free of hazardous substances.
  • Hypoallergenic – The label denotes that there are no allergens that irritate skin. It reduces the possibility of irritations and it can safely be used from day one. 
  • Gentle on baby’s skin – It doesn’t contain components that cause dermatitis, rashes, or eczema. 
  • Eco-friendly – Nominal use of chemicals minimizes environmental impact.
  • Trusted label - Due to rigorous and transparent testing process, it offers assurance to consumers. 

What is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certification?

GOTS, the Global Organic Textile Standard, is the golden standard for organic fabrics. As leading international certification, it covers the entire textile manufacturing process, ensuring that every stage of production, from sourcing raw materials to labeling, meets stringent environmental and ethical standards. It verifies strict compliance to organic farming practices (no synthetic pesticides, no genetically modified organisms - GMOs), green supply chains, social criteria, and traceable sustainability. GOTS label denotes that the textile contains at least 70% of organic fibers, while the label "organic" confirms that more than 95% of fibers are of organic origin.

What are the benefits of baby clothing with GOTS certification?

There are many reasons to select GOTS-labeled babywear. The most prominent ones are: 

  • Natural fibers gentle to skin – Natural fibers like bamboo and cotton are free from hazardous chemicals and won’t irritate babies' sensitive skin.
  • Improves health & development - The absence of toxic components reduces the risk of health issues and supports normal child development
  • Authentic organic product - GOTS ensures that the item is made using organic, sustainable, non-GMO farming practices and without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. Organic fiber production means that only non-GMO seeds are used.
  • Minimal environmental impact – Protects ecosystem by sustainable practices, ethical manufacturing, mandatory wastewater treatment, only biodegradable dyes allowed, and prohibiting use of harmful chemicals (aromatic solvents, formaldehyde, heavy metals, etc.) 
  • Ethical working conditions – The certification verifies humane working conditions, no child labor, safe and hygienic workplace conditions, empowers workers and communities.

Other Noteworthy Certifications at a Glance 

Apart from OEKO-TEX® and GOTS, you may also run across other labels, such as:

  • Fair trade certification – This label addresses ethical sourcing and labor practices. It verifies that every worker receives fair wage and works in safe working conditions.
  • USDA Organic – It complements GOTS and is mainly used for organic agricultural products grown in the U.S.
  • Cradle to Cradle Certified™ - Assesses ecological and social sustainability of items in five categories – material health, material reuse, renewable energy (carbon management), water stewardship, and social fairness.
  • Bluesign® System - Textile production with strict control of chemical use, waste optimization, resource efficiency, and occupational health standards.

How to Verify if Certificate is Valid? 

If you’re not sure if a label is authentic, the quickest way to check is to visit certifier’s official website, and use the certificate number verifying tool or check the directory of approved manufacturers or products. While no seal can eradicate all risks, knowing that the testing is very rigorous will maintain your peace of mind. The best way to protect your baby is to pick trusted brands like MA-MA NYC and stay informed about changes to certification standards.

How to recognize products with OEKO-TEX certification? 

Genuine products have clearly displayed label and a certificate number you can use to check authenticity on the OEKO-TEX® website. 

How to verify if GOTS clothing is real?

If in doubt, check the authenticity by inspecting the logo or visiting the certified suppliers database.  Every GOTS logo features label grade:

  • Organic - A minimum of 95% certified organic fibers.
  • Organic in conversion - A minimum of 95% organic in-conversion fibers, transitioning to full organic. 
  • Made with X% organic materials - 70% to 95% of the product's fibers are certified organic.
  • Made with X% organic in-conversion materials – At least 70% of the fibers are from farms transitioning to organic certification.

Why MA-MA NYC Chooses Both OEKO-TEX® and GOTS Certified Materials 

MA-MA NYC carefully handpicks fibers with both OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and GOTS certification to provide the highest level of quality, protection, safety, and sustainable standards. We’re on a mission to help all moms ensure their baby is never exposed to hazardous substances. Instead, we want your baby to enjoy the softness, comfort, and purity of certified, gentle materials that won’t cause any harm to your precious little angel.

 

By combining these two labels we proudly contribute to reducing carbon footprint and promote fair work practices in the global textile community.

Practical Tips on How to Choose Fabrics for Baby Clothes

Choosing safe fabrics for babies is a critical step that protects their sensitive skin from allergies and irritations.  

  • Pick natural, breathable fibers - Garments made of bamboo, cotton, or linen improve air circulation and help maintain optimal body temperature.  
  • Check labels & certificates - Pick hypoallergenic materials, free from harsh chemicals which can irritate delicate baby’s skin. Ensure it complies with the basic safety standards. 
  • Avoid tight clothing – Select materials that don’t restrict movement. For maximum comfort without restrictions, choose bamboo footies.
  • Choose easy-to-care textiles - Machine-washable materials are easy to wash and maintain, saving parents valuable time.  
  • Consider the budget – Finally, think of how much money you can spend. Remember that safety and quality comes first.

To Summarize: The Right Labels Ensure Peace of Mind

For high-quality, safe apparel, choose OEKO-TEX® and GOTS-certified products. MA-MA NYC demonstrates commitment to these certifications through bamboo baby clothing. Choosing certified garments is a smart investment in your baby's health, comfort, and future. With certified bamboo clothing, your baby will enjoy superior comfort and safety, while you make an environmentally responsible choice.