Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p.

What Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p. does

Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p. (TZÚ) is a Czech state-owned testing and certification institute headquartered in Brno, operating continuously for over 30 years. The company operates nine specialized laboratories covering physical, chemical, microbiological, flammability, furniture, outdoor textile, thermal resistance, laundry quality control, and medical device testing. TZÚ serves as Notified Body No. 1021 for the EU (CE marking of personal protective equipment under Regulation 2016/425, construction products under CPR 305/2011, and toys) and as Authorized Body No. 219 for national construction product certification, enabling manufacturers across the textile, furniture, automotive, healthcare, construction, laundry, and outdoor equipment sectors to access EU markets with accredited test protocols and certificates. The institute is staffed by approximately 19 employees including multiple Ph.D.-credentialed laboratory heads.

The business operates on a professional services revenue model with multiple streams: per-test or per-test-program laboratory fees, mandatory and voluntary product certifications, recurring system certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, RABC EN 14065), labeling services, expert witness opinions, and educational seminars. Go-to-market relies on direct enterprise technical consultation, industry association referrals (CLUTEX, Czech Furniture Cluster, ATOK, APač, Ginetex, CTPT), and proprietary training events rather than consumer marketing. The 2025 operating footprint included 555 customers served, 16,444 tests performed, 1,535 test protocols issued, and 401 certificates issued. Recent capability launches include the CheckedTZU chemical safety verification service (2025) for EU Regulation 988/2023 compliance and microplastics testing per ČSN EN ISO 4484-1 (2023).

Revenue is not publicly disclosed and there are no external investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity. The company holds proprietary testing assets including the thermal manikin KAREL for sleeping bag thermal insulation certification, moisture management testing (MMT/BPI) capabilities, and Civil Aviation Authority authorization for FAR/JAR/CS 23.853/25.853 flammability testing. TZÚ combines accredited laboratory operations with applied research and development, technical normalization services, and professional education within a single integrated platform serving manufacturers across the Czech Republic and broader EU.

Name

Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p.

Legal name

Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p.

Website

https://tzu.cz

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p. (TZÚ) is a Czech state-owned accredited testing and certification institute headquartered in Brno, operating nine specialized laboratories and serving as EU Notified Body No. 1021 for textile, furniture, medical device, construction, and PPE manufacturers across the EU.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Textile Testing and Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Textile Testing, Compliance & Quality Assurance (CRAAAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Quality Engineering & Risk Management (ICH Q9/Q10, validation, change control) (HLAGAKAL), Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Textile testing services
• Product certification
• Notified body services
• Laboratory accreditation
• Construction product testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Brno

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Testing Services (Zkoušení): Accredited laboratory testing for textile, furniture, construction, and healthcare products. Clients submit products for testing against relevant technical standards, receiving protocols documenting results. Revenue generated per test or test program.
2. Product Certification (Certifikace výrobků): Issuance of product certificates — both mandatory (e.g., protective clothing, toys) and voluntary — following successful testing. Certificates enable market access within the EU. Revenue per certification.
3. System Certification (Certifikace systémů): Certification of management systems: ISO 9001 (QMS), ISO 13485 (QMS for medical devices), ISO 14001 (EMS), ISO 45001 (OHSAS), ISO 50001 (EnMS), RABC EN 14065. Annual surveillance audits generate recurring revenue.
4. Education and Training (Vzdělávání): Seminars, training courses, and educational materials covering quality management systems, environmental standards, occupational health and safety, textiles, and professional laundering/cleaning. Course fees generate non-recurring revenue.
5. Product Marking Services (Označování výrobků): Labeling and marking services for products, including fiber composition labeling per EP Regulation 1007/2011 and other regulatory marking requirements.
6. Expert Witness Opinions (Posudky soudního znalce): Court-certified expert opinions on textile and related materials, used in legal disputes and insurance claims.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p. is a Czech state-owned accredited testing, inspection, and certification institute providing physical, chemical, microbiological, flammability, furniture, outdoor, thermal resistance, laundry quality control, and medical device testing across nine specialized laboratories. It also delivers mandatory and voluntary product certification, ISO-family management system certification, technical normalization services, applied research and development, and industry-specific training for textile, furniture, construction, automotive, and healthcare manufacturers across the Czech Republic and European Union.

Product overview

Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p. (TZÚ) is a state-owned Czech textile testing and certification institute headquartered in Brno with over 30 years of experience. Its core offering is a unified laboratory and certification platform combining nine specialized testing laboratories with product and system certification services, research and development, and professional education. The testing laboratories include: Fyzikální laboratoř (Physical Laboratory), Chemická laboratoř (Chemical Laboratory, which includes the CheckedTZU chemical safety service), Mikrobiologická laboratoř (Microbiological Laboratory, offering the Mikrobiologicky prověřeno verification mark), Laboratoř hořlavostí (Flammability Laboratory), Zkušebna nábytku (Furniture Testing), Zkušebna outdooru (Outdoor Testing), Zkušebna tepelné odolnosti with thermal manikin KAREL (Thermal Resistance Testing), Laboratoř kontroly kvality praní (Laundry Quality Control), and Zkušebna zdravotnických prostředků (Medical Device Testing). TZÚ also provides product certification (mandatory and voluntary), system certifications (QMS, EMS, occupational health, energy management), technical normalization, R&D collaboration, and industry training. The institute acts as Notified Body No. 1021 for EU PPE (Regulation 2016/425), construction products (CPR), and toys; and as Authorized Body No. 219 for national construction product certification per NV 163/2002 Coll.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CheckedTZU: Impulse for chemical safety of textile products, providing assurance for market compliance with Regulation 988/2023 on general product safety and REACH legislation.

Products and services

• Fyzikální laboratoř (Physical Laboratory) Provides physical testing of textile materials including clothing textiles, geotextiles, floor coverings, protective workwear, and garment components such as zippers and fasteners.
• Chemická laboratoř (Chemical Laboratory) Performs chemical testing including health safety for children and adults, colorfastness, material composition, formaldehyde content, pH, heavy metals, pesticides, phthalates, aromatic amines, and the CheckedTZU chemical safety service.
• Mikrobiologická laboratoř (Microbiological Laboratory) Tests antimicrobial treatments, antibacterial finishes, resistance to bacteria and viruses, microscopic fungi on geosynthetics and floor coverings, and provides hygiene-epidemiological controls for laundries.
• Laboratoř hořlavosti (Flammability Laboratory) Tests flammability of materials for automotive, furniture, toys, protective clothing, aircraft interiors, and building materials under various standards including FAR methodology.
• Zkušebna nábytku (Furniture Testing Laboratory) Verifies mechanical properties of furniture, surface finishes, and upholstered furniture per national, European, and international standards, covering safety, quality, and durability.
• Zkušebna outdooru (Outdoor Testing Laboratory) Tests functional underwear, membranes, coatings, water-resistant finishes, evaporative resistance, thermal resistance, air permeability, water resistance (water column), and surface wetting for outdoor products.
• Zkušebna tepelné odolnosti s řízeným prostředím (Thermal Resistance Testing Chamber) Equipped with thermal manikin KAREL for testing sleeping bags, measuring three thermal comfort temperatures for relaxed and curled body positions and hypothermia risk.
• Laboratoř kontroly kvality praní (Laundry Quality Control Laboratory) Tests laundry quality using test fabrics before and after 50 or 25 control wash cycles, and performs hygiene-epidemiological controls for laundries washing medical linens.
• Zkušebna zdravotnických prostředků (Medical Device Testing Laboratory) Tests surgical masks per EN 14683+AC:2019, protective clothing against biological agents per EN 14126, ISO 16603 and ISO 16604 for blood and body fluid penetration resistance, and surgical drapes and gowns per EN 13795-1/2.
• Certifikace výrobků (Product Certification) Provides both mandatory and voluntary product certification for textiles, furniture, toys, protective equipment, and construction products, enabling lawful placement on the EU market.
• Certifikace systémů (System Certification) Offers system certifications including QMS (ISO 9001), QMS for medical devices (ISO 13485), EMS (ISO 14001), RABC (EN 14065), occupational health and safety (ISO 45001), energy management (ISO 50001), and laundry certification APaČ.
• Centrum technické normalizace (Technical Normalization Centre) Issues sectoral specifications for the laundry industry and supports standardization activities.
• Vzdělávání (Education and Training) Organizes seminars on quality management systems, environmental management, occupational health and safety, textiles, clothing, and maintenance.
• Výzkum a vývoj (Research and Development) Conducts applied and experimental development in collaboration with research institutes, universities, and companies at both domestic and international levels.
• Označování výrobků (Product Marking Services) Labeling and marking services for products, including fiber composition labeling per EP Regulation 1007/2011 and other regulatory marking requirements.
• Posudky soudního znalce (Court-Certified Expert Witness Opinions) Court-certified expert opinions on textile and related materials, used in legal disputes and insurance claims.
• CheckedTZU Chemical safety verification service for textile products, providing assurance that products placed on the market meet Regulation 988/2023 on general product safety and REACH legislation.
• Mikrobiologicky prověřeno (Microbiologically Verified Mark) Verification mark (antibacterial, antimycotic, antiviral, or antimicrobial) with a special number issued to products that pass microbiological testing, usable on products, packaging, technical documentation, and marketing materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 555 customers served and 401 certificates issued in 2025 alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Horizon 2020 - FireSenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research project under the EU Horizon 2020 framework. FireSense project focused on fire safety testing and sensing technologies relevant to TZÚ's flammability testing activities.
• CLUTEX - Klastr technických textiliíminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLUTEX (technical textiles cluster) collaborated with TZÚ on procurement of specialized laboratory equipment for microbiology testing. Joint development of new surface treatments in cooperation with the Czech Furniture Cluster. CLUTEX co-funded equipment acquisition through EU support.
• Klastr českých nábytkářů (Czech Furniture Cluster)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on development of new surface treatments for furniture. TZÚ provides testing and verification of achieved functional properties; results inform technical standards development for the EU common market.
• GinetexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGinetex is the international textile care labeling association. TZÚ participates as an affiliated organization providing testing services that support correct care labeling compliance.
• ATOK - Asociace textilního-oděvního-kožedělného průmysluminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry association for textile, apparel, and leather manufacturing. TZÚ serves as a preferred testing and certification partner for ATOK member companies.
• APaČ - Asociace prádelen a čistírenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociation of laundries and cleaning services. APaČ recommends TZÚ's laundry quality control testing and RABC certification (EN 14065) services to its member laundries.
• Česká technologická platforma pro textil (CTPT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCzech Technology Platform for Textiles brings together industry, research, and government stakeholders. TZÚ participates as a testing and normalization anchor institution.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Centexbel: Belgian collective research centre for the textile and plastics industries, offering accredited testing, certification, and standardization services. Direct peer with very similar scope, though Centexbel operates with a larger scientific staff and broader funding base.
• IFTH (Institut Français du Textile et de l'Habillement): French textile technical center providing testing, certification, and R&D services for fashion, home, and technical textiles. Direct peer given the same accredited lab + certification + industry-association model serving European manufacturers.
• AITEX: Spanish textile research institute providing laboratory testing, certification, and R&D for textile, apparel, and technical-textile clients. Direct peer given the same testing + certification + applied research model and overlapping customer verticals.
• Hohenstein: German privately held textile testing and research institute offering accredited physical, chemical, and microbiological testing, OEKO-TEX certification, and apparel/functional-textile expertise. Closest direct peer in scope, accreditation profile, and customer base, with broader international footprint than TZÚ.
• OETI (Institut für Ökologie, Technik und Innovation): Austrian textile and leather testing institute offering accredited physical, chemical, and performance testing. Direct peer with very similar scope (textiles, leather, footwear) and comparable size, competing for Central European testing and certification mandates.

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: French-headquartered global TIC group with consumer-products, textile, and construction-product testing. Broad incumbent that competes in the same European Notified Body and certification markets as TZÚ, with much greater geographic and category breadth.
• Intertek: UK-headquartered global TIC group with textile, apparel, footwear, furniture, and PPE testing capabilities. Broad incumbent that competes for the same European manufacturer customers as TZÚ but with a worldwide lab footprint and integrated digital client platforms.
• SGS: Swiss-headquartered global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) major with textile, softlines, PPE, and consumer-products testing practices. Broad incumbent: overlaps TZÚ in textile and PPE Notified Body scopes but serves much larger customers and geographies.
• TÜV Rheinland: German global TIC and Notified Body, active in PPE, toys, construction products, and consumer goods certification. Broad incumbent: shares multiple Notified Body designations with TZÚ (PPE, construction products) but offers a vastly larger international and digital service portfolio.

Regional players

• VÚTCH-CHEMITEX: Slovak research and testing institute for textile, chemical, and leather industries. Regional peer operating in a neighbouring market with comparable textile testing, certification, and applied research services, but serving primarily Slovak and Central European customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/textiln%C3%AD-zku%C5%A1ebn%C3%AD-%C3%BAstav-s-p

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Textilní zkušební ústav, s.p.