Germany is coming up with a textile certificate to bring the country's clothing industry within the minimum social and ecological standards. The certificate shall be introduced within this year. Germany's neighbors France and the Netherlands have already enacted such a step.

As it is Germany has several laws in place. All textiles manufactured, imported and sold in Germany must bear a label indicating their raw material composition. Textiles may only be sold if they possess the appropriate specification of the fiber contents, care and washing instructions as well as size in metric measurements.

Even though care labeling symbols are not mandatory in Germany, the National Association for Textile Care Labelling has defined an internationally recognized care labeling system for textiles based on trademark symbols. These care symbols provide traders, consumers and companies with the correct information about taking care of textile products.

Manufacturers and importers of textiles containing potentially dangerous chemicals must register these substances with the European Chemicals Agency and ensure the appropriate communication along the supply chain. The most widely used and recognized certificate of quality for textiles in Germany and the EU is the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This voluntary certificate provides the textile and clothing industry a uniform standard for consumers who specifically aim to buy textiles that are free of harmful substances. All raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production are tested and certified for compliance with the standard.