At Ontex, safety and quality are embedded in every stage of our products. We carefully select raw materials, monitor and test products during manufacturing and packaging, oversee them once they reach consumers, and consider how they are handled and recycled after use. Our experts are guided by legal and industry requirements, combined with the latest scientific research insights. To go further, we apply internal standards that not only exceed external safety requirements, but often surpass them by a significant margin.
Product safety is ‘Better for people’
Better for people is one of the pillars of our sustainability strategy, highlighting the importance of consumer safety. A key goal under this pillar is full chemical transparency of the ingredients we use in our products.
General awareness about product composition and certain substances has grown significantly in recent years, with 75% of consumers considering transparency important and two-thirds willing to switch to brands that prioritize it1. This is particularly true for products designed to stay in contact with the skin for extended periods. Unfortunately, absorbent hygiene products are sometimes mistakenly associated with substances like PFAS, heavy metals, or other chemicals – which can understandably, lead to concern among consumers.
Chiara Alleva (Femcare Category Lead) adds: “That is why our healthcare partners and retail customers increasingly expect full ingredient transparency, not only for themselves but also to give their consumers and patients the reassurance they’re looking for. At Ontex, we support them in that effort by providing clear, verified information across all our product categories.”
Chemical safety starts with raw materials
Because our production process primarily involves assembling high-quality materials, we place strong emphasis on validating and testing every component we use.
Julie Atlaga (Scientific Affairs Manager) explains: “Our suppliers must demonstrate that their materials meet all relevant regulations and additional safety standards from related industries. Each supplier provides a ‘Conformity Declaration’, confirming compliance, sharing detailed information on composition and possible impurities, and chemical reports related to potential substance migration.“
“Once materials are validated, our scientific teams perform thorough chemical and toxicological assessments. We also run regular testing for trace substances, both internally and through independent programs. As a rule, the results go far beyond regulatory limits, providing an extra margin of safety. Independent eco-label certifications such as OEKO-TEX® or the EU Ecolabel add an additional layer of oversight, confirming that products meet strict standards for harmful substances.
“We also collaborate with our retail partners to review and interpret results from tests they commission, ensuring clarity, consistency, and mutual confidence in product safety.”
Staying ahead through industry collaboration
Keeping up with safety and regulatory developments is essential, as these standards are constantly evolving and can be complex. Being part of the industry associations EDANA, BAHP and INDA helps us stay informed and prepared. Through our active participation in the associations’ working groups and scientific review boards, we often learn about new regulations two to three years before they come into effect.
Julie confirms: “This helps us review materials and processes proactively, and gives us a platform to share expertise and feedback with authorities. Together with the industry, we can help to make sure that safety rules are practical while maintaining high protection standards for consumers and colleagues alike.”
Product safety is a shared responsibility
“Product safety is a broad and diverse responsibility,” adds Bart Waterschoot (Group Sustainability and Product Stewardship Director). “It touches many functions across Ontex, including sustainability, quality, procurement, R&D, sales, legal & compliance... All our colleagues work closely together, along with our retail partners and suppliers, on many aspects of safety.
“This includes verifying the biocompatibility of materials and finished goods that come into contact with the skin, preventing microbiological contamination during manufacturing, guaranteeing products are free from sharp materials, confirming they perform safely and reliably, and making sure they remain safe when handled, disposed of, or recycled. Product safety also extends to protecting our colleagues by carefully managing exposure to substances. We follow industry standards and collaborate with our EHS teams and partners to make this happen.”
At Ontex, keeping products safe is everyone’s job, and a shared promise we renew every day through science, innovation, teamwork, and care. You can read more about how we put this promise into practice in our Product Safety Policy.
[1] NielsenIQ. (2022). Are companies transparent enough in their sustainability initiatives to meet shopper needs?
