International Advisory Board
OEKO-TEX®
Edition 01.2023
OEKO-TEX®
International Association for Research and Testing in
the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology
Internationale Gemeinschaft für Forschung und Prüfung
auf dem Gebiet der Textil- und Lederökologie

OEKO-TEX Service GmbH
Genferstrasse 23, CH-8002 Zurich+41 44 501 26 00
www.oeko-tex.com

The
OEKO-TEX Service GmbH
Geneva Street 238002 Zurich
Switzerland
provides the OEKO-TEX® International Advisory Board (IAB) with the following Organizational Regulations:

I. Scope, Definitions and Purpose
Article 1: Scope
These Organizational Regulations establish the OEKO-TEX® International Advisory Board. The IAB is not an
independent organization but integrated into the OEKO-TEX® organizational structure (see Annex I). The Steering
Committee creates the link between OEKO-TEX® and the IAB. To guarantee the IABs independence, the IAB decides
autonomously.

Article 2: Definitions:
OEKO-TEX®			Body of representatives of stakeholders for the professional monitoring of theIAB 				further development of Common Standards.
OEKO-TEX® 			WORKING GROUP

Bodies composed of experts from the OEKO-TEX® Institutes, with the task ofscientifically preparing and supporting analyses, studies and trials.

OEKO-TEX®			Body for the technical examination and evaluation of proposals made by theSTEERING COMMITTEE 	Technical Meetings, consisting of representatives of the Institute, of the other
OEKO-TEX® Institutes and of the OEKO-TEX® Association.
OEKO-TEX®			GENERAL MANAGEMENT

The body consists of a representative of each of the OEKO-TEX® Institutes, withthe task of defining and expressing final positions and recommendations and todecide on the further development of the Common Standards as well as to define
and decide the strategic orientation with regard to marketing and the developmentof the product portfolio.

OEKO-TEX®			The results of the joint research and development of the OEKO-TEX® Institutes.
COMMON STANDARDS		The Common Standards are publicly available on the Internet atwww.oeko-tex.com.

Article 3: Purpose
The IAB is established to bring a diversified stakeholder expertise and perspective to the OEKO-TEX® Association.
It informs the Steering Committee about priorities and strategies that are relevant to the goals of OEKO-TEX® andhelp to produce safer products and more sustainable and socially responsible companies. It advises and decides on
proposals that have been developed by the OEKO-TEX® Working Groups and submitted by the Steering Committee.
In this sense, it plays an important role in the further development of the OEKO-TEX® Standards and has an impact
on OEKO-TEX®‘s strategy and operational business.

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II. Composition
Article 4: Representatives
The IAB is made up of 6 representatives of OEKO-TEX® stakeholders and 3 representatives of the OEKO-TEX®
Association. Each stakeholder has one natural person as a representative.

Article 5: Invitation
The OEKO-TEX® Secretariat invites potential members for the new 2-year composition of the IAB in September of
each 2-year cycle.

Article 6: Appointment
Representatives of the OEKO-TEX® Stakeholders are appointed by the OEKO-TEX® Secretariat for a term of officeof two years. Reappointment is possible.

Article 7: Balance
In terms of composition, a reasonable balance is sought, taking into account the most important stakeholder groups,
especially those directly affected by the standards.
Stakeholders of the OEKO-TEX® Association include companies, associations, civil society and politics. A focus isalso to be placed on disadvantaged stakeholders. Since the OEKO-TEX® Standards deal primarily with chemicals,
this should also be reflected in the percentage composition of the IAB.

III. Rights and Duties
Article 8: Acceptance of Code of Conducts
Members of the IAB undertake to comply with the OEKO-TEX® Code of Conduct and the IAB Code of Conduct(see Annex II). New IAB Members are provided with all relevant documents.

Article 9: Rights
The rights of IAB members entail the right to attend the annual meeting, the right to be heard and the right to voteon points of discussion.

Article 10: DutiesThe members of the IAB must perform their duties with all due care and in good faith.

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IV. Meeting
Article 11: Invitation
The OEKO-TEX® Secretariat is responsible for the written or electronic invitation and the organisation of themeetings.

Article 12: Chair
The IAB elects a chairman for its 2-year composition. The chairman presides the meetings.
Before each meeting a minute-taker is elected who is proposed by the meeting chairman.

Article 13: Video Conference
If a member is unable to attend the meeting, participation by video conference is also permitted.

Article 14: Frequency
The IAB meets once a year.

Article 15: Chatham House Rule
The Chatham House Rule applies in all respects. This is intended to ensure that an open and free dialogue cantake place.

V. Decision Making
Article 16: Decisions
Decisions are made by a relative majority of the members present. Abstentions are not counted as no votes.

Article 17: Quorum
The IAB is not quorate if less than three-quarters of the members are present either in person or byvideo conference.

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4|8VI. Function and Tasks
Article 18: Function
The core function of the IAB is to provide advice on the further development of standards. It issues general andabstract inputs and recommendations concerning concrete strategic decisions based on the Working GroupProposal. The Steering Committee ensures that these recommendations are considered in the internal processes ofthe OEKO-TEX® Association. It is recommended, that the resolutions of the IAB are implemented.

Article 19: Tasks
There are two main tasks of the IAB:a) he IAB shall evaluate the Working Group Proposal submitted by the Steering Committee. A decision isT
made as to whether these should be recommended or rejected from a stakeholder perspective.

b)	The IAB is encouraged to provide the OEKO-TEX® Association with a fresh perspective of its respective
stakeholder spheres.

Article 20: Thematic Areas
Topics vary depending on the standard. The general focus will be on sustainability, social responsibility and, notably,chemicals. Interdisciplinary and divergent thinking is encouraged with the goal to open up all relevant stakeholder
spheres to the OEKO-TEX® Association. Thematic areas, therefore, go beyond the general focus and should provide
the OEKO-TEX® Association with an outside-perspective.

Article 21: Process
The IAB hands over its recommendations to the Steering Committee who in turn forwards them to the General
Management and the Working Groups. On this basis, the Working Groups Proposal is to be prepared again in thenext annual cycle.

VII: Compensation
Article 22: Board and Lodging
The engagement in the IAB is considered an honorary position and it is not remunerated. Board and lodging areprovided by the OEKO-TEX® Secretariat.

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VIII: Dismissal
Article 23: Regular
The mandate ends regularly after the 2-year period for which the member of the IAB has been appointed.

Article 24: Extraordinary
If a member of the IAB transgresses a rule set in these Organizational Regulations, it can be dismissed
extraordinarily and immediately by the OEKO-TEX® Executive Committee. This is to be done on the basis of ahearing where at least two other stakeholder members of the IAB are present.

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Annex I: Overview of the OEKO-TEX® Organizational Structure
Process

General Manager
political

1 time a year / October

Voting / Approval

Executive Committee

strategic

1 time a year / August

Final Proposals

Steering Committee
1 time a year / August

Public Stakeholder
Consultation

International Advisory Board
1 time a year / April

General
IAB inputs

InputsFinal Proposals
with strategic impact

1. Voting /Approval final  Proposals
2. General inputs

operationalWorking Groups
During January - December

Communication /Validation

ProposalsCommunication /Validation

ProposalsInternational Marketing MeetingTechnical Meetings
2 times a year / January & June

1 time a year / June

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7|8Annex II: IAB Code of Conduct
Members of the IAB undertake to comply with both the OEKO-TEX® Code of Conduct and the IAB Code of Conduct:IAB Code of Conduct
SELF-CONCEPTION:
The International Advisory Board is aware of its important role in the standard development of the OEKO-TEX®
portfolio. It is committed both to responsibility for the common good and the environment and to the principles ofthe social market economy with functioning competition. The IAB‘s activities are thus geared towards promoting
sustainable and socially responsible businesses.
MISSION:The IAB supports OEKO-TEX® Association in its mission to enable consumers and companies to protect our planetby making responsible decisions. The IAB enforces all principles and values described in this Code of Conduct.
RESPONSIBILITY:
The IAB declares its strict adherence to the respect of human rights, core labour standards and environmental
protection.
INTEGRITY:
IAB Members conduct themselves in a respectful, fair, incorruptible and honest way and in fullcompliance with all legal requirements.
INCOMPATIBILITY:
IAB Members have the obligation to make sure that none of their activities or activities of their subsidiaries orparent companies run counter to the OEKO-TEX® Association.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
With the creation of the IAB, the OEKO-TEX® Association allows a multi-stakeholder perspective to directly
influence the standard setting process. Since this can require access to confidential information, an NDA is to besigned by all IAB Members. Transparency will be created by the OEKO-TEX® Association - not the IAB Members
themselves.

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