Requirements for Children’s Clothing Fabrics in Scandinavia — Certifications and Documentation

Fabric for children’s clothing is subject to stricter requirements than fabric for adult apparel — regarding chemical safety, traceability, and documentation. As a manufacturer or buyer, you must be able to document that your fabric meets applicable standards before the garments reach the store shelves. Here is what you need to have under control.

Why are there special requirements for children’s clothing fabrics?

Children are more vulnerable to chemical substances than adults — their skin is thinner, they have a lower tolerance for hypersensitivity, and they tend to put clothing in their mouths. This is directly reflected in legislation and industry standards throughout Scandinavia.

In Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, the EU REACH regulation is generally followed, which sets limit values for a wide range of harmful chemicals in textiles. Additionally, there is an increasing demand from retail chains and platforms for third-party certification before listing a product. It is no longer enough to claim that the fabric is safe — you must be able to prove it.

Certifications you need to know as a buyer

There are two certifications that consistently appear regarding fabrics for children’s clothing in the Scandinavian market:

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): The most recognized standard for organic textiles. GOTS covers the entire production chain from field to finished fabric — including bans on a wide range of harmful dyes and chemicals. GOTS certification provides documentation that holds up when selling to conscious retailers and brands.
• Oekotex 100: An independent testing and certification scheme that checks finished textiles for harmful substances. Oekotex 100 Product Class I is specifically aimed at baby and children’s clothing for children under 3 years and sets the strictest limit values. Product Class II covers clothing for children over 3 years in direct contact with the skin.

Both certifications are issued by accredited third parties and can be presented to customers, retail chains, and authorities. As a manufacturer, you should always obtain certificates directly from your supplier — not just a promise of compliance.

GOTS vs. Oekotex 100 — which should you choose?

The answer depends on what your production and customers require. GOTS offers stronger brand positioning because it documents the entire supply chain. If your customer — for example, a Scandinavian chain with a sustainability profile — demands organic cotton with full traceability, GOTS is the right choice.

Oekotex 100, on the other hand, is a broad chemical safety test that does not require organic fibers. It is faster to obtain and easier to communicate to customers primarily concerned with chemical safety rather than the raw material chain. Many manufacturers use both certifications side by side — GOTS for organic fabrics and Oekotex 100 for the rest of the assortment.

At Jydsk Stoflager, the majority of our digital print jersey fabric is GOTS certified. Other fabrics in the assortment are at minimum certified with Oekotex 100. You can always request documentation before placing an order.

Documentation you need to have ready

Regardless of which certification your fabrics carry, there are several documents you should have ready for any inspection or customer inquiry:

• Valid certification certificate (GOTS or Oekotex 100) with certificate number and issue date
• Product specification with fiber content, weight, and any finishing treatment
• Supplier traceability documentation — including factory and country of production
• REACH compliance declaration, if requested by the customer
• Test reports for specific customer specifications — e.g., for OEM production to larger chains

Keep these documents organized per fabric type and update them when certificates are renewed. This saves you delays when a new customer or auditor requests them.

Practical considerations when choosing fabric for children’s clothing

Certification is the starting point — but there are also production-related factors to consider when selecting fabric for children’s collections.

Our jersey fabric in 220 g/m², 160 cm wide with 95% cotton and 5% lycra is a solid workhorse in children’s clothing production. The weight class provides good dimensional stability and retains its shape after washing — both important parameters when the end users are active children. The crosswise elasticity from the lycra content allows room for movement without the garment losing its shape.

If you want to differentiate with exclusive patterns, our digital print jersey fabric is developed with AI-designed patterns that are subsequently refined manually in Photoshop. The designs are not available elsewhere — this is a direct competitive advantage if your business sells or produces clothing with a distinct visual identity. And because the color reproduction is consistent from roll to roll, there are no unpleasant surprises mid-production order.

If you have customers requesting softer alternatives to cotton, bamboo jersey may be a relevant choice. Our bamboo jersey weighs 230 g/m² and is 150 cm wide with 95% bamboo and 5% lycra — a fabric with a natural soft feel and good crosswise elasticity, certified with Oekotex 100.

Delivery and minimum order

All fabrics at Jydsk Stoflager are in stock and ready for dispatch. Delivery occurs within 1–3 business days throughout Europe. The minimum order is 10 meters per fabric type — applicable regardless of certification or fabric type.

We are based in Ikast — the center of Danish textile trade — and know the requirements of the Scandinavian market from both sides of the table. If you have questions about documentation or certificates for a specific fabric, feel free to contact us directly before placing an order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oekotex 100 sufficient for selling children’s clothing in Denmark?
Oekotex 100 is not a legal requirement in itself but documents that the fabric has been tested for harmful substances according to applicable limit values. Most Scandinavian retail chains accept Oekotex 100 as minimum documentation, but requirements vary from customer to customer. Always check your specific customer’s requirements before ordering fabric.

Can I receive certificate documentation with my order from Jydsk Stoflager?
Yes. We can provide documentation for GOTS or Oekotex 100 certification on the relevant fabrics. Contact us with your specific needs before placing an order so we ensure the documentation is ready.

What is the minimum order for certified jersey fabric for children’s clothing?
The minimum order is 10 meters per fabric type — this applies to all fabrics in the assortment, regardless of certification. See the full range of jersey fabric and bamboo jersey in our webshop, or contact us for a wholesale agreement.