‹ Journal
A Guide to Textile Certifications: How to Read the Label

A Guide to Textile Certifications: How to Read the Label

Key Takeaways

  • The Jungle of Labels: There are many logos on clothing today. A certification is one way to check what a claim rests on.
  • The Two We Hold: The standards that count for us are the two our linen actually carries: European Flax® (Traceability) and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 (Safety), under certificates BVFR10502602 and 2017OK0319.
  • Beyond the Label: A certificate is a start. What matters as much is knowing who makes a piece and where.

The Principles Behind Our Pieces

Good clothing is about more than one fibre on a label. It is a way of looking at design, production and how a piece is worn.

At HACOY, we define it through three pillars:

  • Material Origin: Using fibres whose origin we can name, like linen from flax grown in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
  • Labor Ethics: Knowing who sews the garment and under which labour law (hence our production in Italy and Lithuania).
  • Longevity: Designing pieces that are made to be kept. The garment you keep wearing is the one you do not have to replace.

Decoding the Certifications

On a garment label you might see various logos. Here is what they actually mean.

European Flax® (Traceability for Linen)

This is the guarantee of traceability for premium linen fiber grown in Western Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands).

  • What it means: Flax grown on rainfall with little or no added irrigation, without GMOs, and with the whole plant used rather than discarded.
  • Why we use it: It gives us traceability for where our linen fibre is grown and how it is farmed.

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

It certifies that the certified article, a yarn, a fabric or a finished garment, has been tested for harmful substances. A fabric certificate covers the fabric, not the buttons or the thread.

  • What it means: The certified article has been tested against OEKO-TEX Standard 100 limits for harmful substances, and passed. That covers substances like certain dyes and heavy metals.
  • Why we use it: What you wear sits on your skin all day. We want an independent test behind that.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)

The world's leading standard for organic fibers.

  • What it means: It covers the entire supply chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing.
  • Why it matters: It prohibits toxic pesticides and ensures safe working conditions.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

Often seen on packaging or Viscose/Rayon tags.

  • What it means: The wood pulp used to make the fiber (or box) comes from responsibly managed forests, not endangered ancient woodlands.

The Unwritten Standard: Radical Transparency

Certifications are crucial, but they are often expensive for small farmers and factories. That is why we believe in a standard that goes beyond the label: knowing the people who make our pieces.

When you know the name of your factory owner (like we know our partners in Lithuania and Italy), you don't just rely on a certificate. You rely on a relationship.

Conclusion

A certification is a map. It helps you find your way through the labels on a garment.

Next time you shop, look for the logo. But more importantly, look for the story behind it.

Ask where the fabric comes from. We are always glad to tell you.

Written with the help of AI, edited by HACOY in Munich.