OEKO-TEX® is a global leader in textile and leather certification, ensuring products meet high standards for safety, sustainability, and transparency. With 17 independent research and testing institutes in Europe and Japan, OEKO-TEX® has been driving responsible production practices since 1992.

Dr. Alfred J Beerli took over as CEO of OEKO-TEX® in June 2024. With a strong background in strategic management, IT, and sustainability, he brings expertise from leadership roles at uniQconsulting ag and workfashion.com ag. A former Board Member of amfori BSCI, Dr. Beerli is committed to strengthening OEKO-TEX®’s impact through industry collaboration and sustainable initiatives. Here he shares his experience and vision for both OEKO-TEX® and the future of the industry.

Could you share your background and the key experiences that led you to become the CEO of OEKO-TEX®?
My professional journey has been shaped by a strong background in IT and textile production, allowing me to bridge the gap between digital transformation and sustainability in the industry. Over the years, I have led IT companies and developed software solutions. This experience has given me valuable insights into how digitalisation can drive efficiency, transparency, and trust – elements that are essential for OEKO-TEX® to maintain its leadership in sustainability certifications and address complex supply chain challenges.

What has been the most pivotal moment in your career that has shaped your leadership style?
I believe that leadership is not about enforcing radical change but about bringing new perspectives and guiding an organisation towards a strong future. My experience in leading garment production and IT companies taught me the importance of structured development, adaptability and foresight.
     As technology continues to evolve rapidly, I see my role as ensuring that OEKO-TEX® not only keeps up with these advancements but actively shapes them. This has influenced my leadership style to be forward-thinking and adaptive— embracing innovation while staying true to our core values of trust, safety and transparency.

What is your vision for the future of sustainability in the textile and leather industry, and how is OEKO-TEX® positioning itself to lead this change?
Sustainability is a fundamental requirement for long-term success. My vision for OEKO-TEX® is to remain at the forefront of this transformation by leveraging digital solutions, strengthening compliance with environmental regulations and enhancing transparency in the global supply chains. By refining our modular certification system, we provide businesses with the flexibility to meet evolving sustainability challenges while ensuring transparency, credibility and consumer trust.

With traceability and transparency being at the core of your mission, what innovations has OEKO-TEX® introduced to strengthen these aspects along the supply chain?
One of our most important tools is the OEKO-TEX® Label Check, which enables consumers to verify the authenticity of our certifications. Additionally, we are leveraging digital platforms to improve supply chain transparency, ensuring that all certified products meet strict safety criteria and environmental and social standards. Here, our OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label plays a pivotal role. Textiles and leather items carrying this label offer transparent traceability by using a unique product ID or QR code that leads to information about the textile or leather article, the production facilities, the stage of production to which the facility belongs and the countries in which production took place.How does OEKO-TEX® ensure consumer and stakeholder trust in its certification processes, particularly in verifying safety and environmental claims?
At OEKO-TEX®, our certifications are built on a foundation of scientific research, rigorous testing and continuous monitoring of legislative changes. We work closely with independent research institutes and industry stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of safety, environmental and social responsibility. Transparency is key, which is why we provide tools that allow companies and consumers to verify certifications and understand the impact of their choices.

How does OEKO-TEX® work to ensure that its testing methods and limit values for harmful substances remain compliant with international regulations?
Compliance with international regulations is a top priority for OEKO-TEX®. We continuously monitor scientific and legislative developments, exchange views with internal and external experts and conduct public-stakeholder consultations. Our annual standard updates ensure that our partners have sufficient time to adapt to new legal requirements, making compliance a smoother process.

The organisation collaborates with 17 independent research and test institutes in Europe and Japan. How does this collaboration contribute to continuous improvement in safety standards?
The OEKO-TEX® Association consists of 17 independent research and testing institutes. The institutes play an important role in the standard setting process, contributing their expertise to maintain the reliability and relevance of our certifications. Our standard setting process allows us to incorporate the latest scientific findings into the testing methods, ensuring that our certifications remain robust, credible and ahead of industry developments. One example of how we uphold global standards within the association is through Round Robin Tests. In these tests, identical samples are analysed using the same methods across multiple institutes, allowing for interlaboratory comparison. This process ensures consistency, accuracy and continuous improvement in our testing procedures—reinforcing our commitment to consumer safety and industry-leading quality standards.

Could you elaborate on how OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON supports sustainability, soil health, regenerative farming and biodiversity, and how this influences industry practices?
OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON offers verification that organic cotton products are manufactured without the intentional use from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and tested for pesticides and other harmful substances, starting from the cotton field itself. Our collaboration with the IFOAM family of standards strengthens the credibility of organic claims and helps combat fraudulent practices, which have become more common with the rising demand for organic cotton. With transaction certificates verifying the chain of custody from farm to finished product, we provide a transparent system that tracks the flow of organic cotton through mass balance. This not only strengthens trust in organic claims but also encourages responsible sourcing for organic cotton.

Your quantitative GMO testing differentiates between contamination and deliberate mixing with conventional cotton. How does this process add value for both producers and consumers?
Quantitative GMO testing is one of the key features of the OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON certification process. It helps distinguish between accidental contamination and intentional mixing with conventional cotton. This method provides greater clarity and trust for both producers and consumers, ensuring that organic claims are legitimate and verifiable. Our stringent testing has already led to a reduction in allowable GMO content, strengthening the integrity of organic cotton products.

As the textile industry evolves, what do you perceive as the key challenges for maintaining high standards in product safety and environmental responsibility?
The textile and leather industries are becoming increasingly complex, with rising regulatory requirements and growing consumer demand for ethical sourcing. A major challenge is ensuring that sustainability efforts extend beyond marketing claims and are backed by measurable, verifiable data and actions. Additionally, combating fraud in organic materials is an ongoing priority, which is why we are continuously enhancing our testing and auditing procedures.

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In a rapidly changing global environment, how do you balance short-term operational challenges with long-term strategic planning?
Balancing short-term operational challenges with long-term strategic planning requires a dual-focus approach that integrates immediate responsiveness with sustainability-driven foresight.
     OEKO-TEX® must remain agile in response to evolving global regulations, supply chain disruptions and shifting consumer demands. By maintaining flexibility in its certification processes and compliance requirements, and leveraging digital tools and real-time data, the organisation can ensure decision making without compromising safety and sustainability standards.
     Sustainability and innovation are central to its long-term strategy. Through investments in research, lifecycle assessments, and the expansion of certification frameworks, OEKO-TEX® stays ahead of industry trends while supporting laboratories, brands and manufacturers in their sustainability efforts.
     Collaboration with industry partners, governments, and scientific institutions enables OEKO-TEX® to align short-term responses, such as addressing new chemicals of concern, with broader strategic goals like reducing environmental impact and enhancing supply chain transparency.
     A proactive approach to risk management ensures that regulatory shifts, market changes, and technological advancements are continuously assessed. This balance between operational efficiency and long-term credibility strengthens trust in its certification standards.
     By integrating resilience, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration, OEKO-TEX® navigates immediate challenges while remaining committed to its vision of a safer and more sustainable textile and leather industry.

What critical trends do you believe will have the most significant impact on the future of the textile and leather industry?
The textile and leather industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by upcoming regulation, technological advancements and evolving consumer expectations.
     The future of the textile and leather industry will be shaped by collaboration, data-driven traceability, and circularity. Companies must work together to meet regulatory demands and consumer expectations, using digital tools to track supply chains and ensure transparency. The Digital Product Passport will play a key role in providing standardised information on materials and production. Circularity is becoming essential, requiring innovation in design, recyclability, and end-of-life solutions. At OEKO-TEX®, we support this transformation with certifications that help businesses navigate these changes and build a more responsible industry.

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Looking to the future, what are your strategic priorities for OEKO-TEX® in promoting sustainable practices and supporting a responsible supply chain across the globe?
Moving forward, OEKO-TEX® will continue to focus on maintaining strict environmental, social and safety standards to ensure consumer trust. By taking a proactive approach, we help companies future-proof their sustainability commitments while driving industry-wide improvements. Key factors include expanding digital tools to enhance certification processes and supply chain visibility, strengthening traceability and transparency through continuous innovations, and supporting businesses in adapting to evolving sustainability regulations.

How do you manage to maintain a healthy work– life balance while leading a global organisation in such a dynamic industry?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance while leading OEKO-TEX® as a global organisation in a dynamic industry is demanding and rewarding at the same time. Sustainability is not just about environmental responsibility. Hence, it requires a combination of prioritisation, delegation, and personal discipline.
     It is also about ensuring that leadership and workplace culture promote well-being and long-term success. I believe that structured leadership and a strong team are essential for maintaining balance. By fostering collaboration and leveraging digital tools to enhance efficiency, I can focus on strategic priorities while ensuring that the organisation operates smoothly.
     Ultimately, maintaining my personal balance is about aligning professional impact with personal well-being, ensuring that leadership remains sustainable, effective, and fulfilling.

What advice would you offer to aspiring leaders in sustainability and ethical business practices?
For those looking to lead in sustainability and ethical business, my advice is simple: align your business strategy with long-term environmental and social responsibility goals. Sustainable practices are not a limitation but a competitive advantage. Stay informed about regulatory trends, embrace technological innovation and build strong partnerships within the industry to drive meaningful change.