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UpFront
UpFront with Hohenstein
Hohenstein Focuses on the Interactions Between Humans, Products, and the Environment
by Casey Strauch, U.S Marketing Director of Hohenstein, and Dave Gardner, Editor/Publisher of The Needle’s Eye
Hohenstein is a valuable resource for companies in the textile and related industries, providing testing, certification, applied research, and training services to ensure product quality, safety, and sustainability.
Hohenstein Americas is an Indiana (USA)–based subsidiary of Hohenstein Laboratories of Bönnigheim, Germany. Hohenstein has worked for more than 75 years around the globe with more than 1,200 employees who work to help people and the planet with offerings such as testing for harmful substances, quality, performance, and fit.
Hohenstein Americas is an Indiana (USA)–based subsidiary of Hohenstein Laboratories of Bönnigheim, Germany. Hohenstein has worked for more than 75 years around the globe with more than 1,200 employees who work to help people and the planet with offerings such as testing for harmful substances, quality, performance, and fit.
Hohenstein experts have studied the human-textile-environment interaction for decades. They develop science-based methods and standards that consider users in the real world – not just in the lab. They solve problems, verify claims through standard or customized testing, and interpret the results. They help their partners bring better, safer products to market – more sustainably. With roots in the textile sector, the Hohenstein testing portfolio now includes both softgoods and hardgoods.
Hohenstein co-founded the OEKO-TEX® Association in 1992 and is a leading provider of OEKO-TEX® certifications – a system of practical solutions for product stewardship and sustainability. With OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, they created the industry’s first restricted substance list to protect people from harmful substances in textiles. The standards portfolio has grown to cover sustainability and worker protections, supply chain and organic cotton traceability, leather safety, and due diligence tools. The standards are updated (at least) annually based on scientific data, global regulations, and industry developments.
An ISO 17025-accredited lab, Hohenstein is also certified by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission as a third-party, independent laboratory for CPSIA compliance verification. CPSIA compliance verification is the process of ensuring that a product meets the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008. This law sets safety standards for children's products to protect them from harmful substances and hazards.
Hohenstein co-founded the OEKO-TEX® Association in 1992 and is a leading provider of OEKO-TEX® certifications – a system of practical solutions for product stewardship and sustainability. With OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, they created the industry’s first restricted substance list to protect people from harmful substances in textiles. The standards portfolio has grown to cover sustainability and worker protections, supply chain and organic cotton traceability, leather safety, and due diligence tools. The standards are updated (at least) annually based on scientific data, global regulations, and industry developments.
An ISO 17025-accredited lab, Hohenstein is also certified by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission as a third-party, independent laboratory for CPSIA compliance verification. CPSIA compliance verification is the process of ensuring that a product meets the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008. This law sets safety standards for children's products to protect them from harmful substances and hazards.
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The OEKO-TEX® System covers the entire supply chain with strict, scientific standards to protect consumers, workers, and the planet. What goes into a factory, must come out – as waste or on a product. So, verified, better inputs (ECO PASSPORT certified chemicals) have a huge impact. STeP (Sustainable Textile and leather Production), a rigorous facility-level certification, verifies that producers are safeguarding workers and the environment. STANDARD 100 and LEATHER STANDARD protect people through testing for harmful substances. MADE IN GREEN and ORGAINC COTTON go further, with requirements for traceability. RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS provides a framework ensuring due diligence throughout supply chains.
They leverage trusted certifications and decades of knowledge to create smart testing plans that protect customers, ecosystems, reputations, and budgets. Hohenstein smart testing is customized to the product, users, and supply chains while ensuring regulatory compliance and budget.
Tailored Market Solutions• Apparel• Footwear• Performance-outdoor-sport• Military• Denim• Kids• Home textiles• Contract textiles• Personal protective equipment• Workwear and uniforms• Aerospace• Medical products
Ben Mead, Managing Director, Hohenstein Americas is the company’s liaison with industry collaborations, government agencies and trade associations, while leading the growing team in North and Latin America. Ben has spent is career establishing partnerships with industry leaders and experts to increase engagement in greener chemistry and sustainable textile processing.
Expertise• Sustainability: GMOs, biodegradability, microfibers, wastewater, green chemistry, OEKO-TEX®• Performance: comfort (thermal, ergonomic, skin), compression, odor, biocides, color, visibility• Quality & Compliance: physical & chemical tests, regulatory assessments, inspections & audits, product comparisons, supply chain communication, quality labels, marketing claim support• Fit & Pattern: development, sizing, testing, 3D/4D scanning, 3D design, digitizing materials• Health: harmful substances, UV protection, hygiene, medical devices, face masks• Textile Care: domestic & industrial laundering, ease of care, detergents• Markets: apparel, home, sports, outdoor, workwear, PPE, medical, children’s, automotive, aerospace, contract, laundry
Hohenstein testing is customized to the needs of its partners, from basic validation to in-depth research and development.
From standalone testing to checking entire processes, they tailor the depth and breadth of testing to clients’ individual needs.
Their services are designed to help manufacturers and brands ensure that their textiles meet industry standards and consumer expectations, facilitating product development, claim verification, and compliance with regulations.
Check out: Hohenstein’s Services Brochure
Hohenstein testing is customized to the needs of its partners, from basic validation to in-depth research and development.
From standalone testing to checking entire processes, they tailor the depth and breadth of testing to clients’ individual needs.
Their services are designed to help manufacturers and brands ensure that their textiles meet industry standards and consumer expectations, facilitating product development, claim verification, and compliance with regulations.
Check out: Hohenstein’s Services Brochure
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Functionality: Services to Maximize Performance
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