Linen certification

When we talk about eco-friendly fabrics, organic cotton usually steals the spotlight. However, linen takes its own unique path to being earth-friendly. Linen's natural qualities, like using less water, needing fewer chemicals, and being biodegradable and durable, make it a sustainable choice, no certificates needed.

Why Linen Needs Fewer Certifications

Linen doesn't demand as many certificates as organic cotton for a simple reason: it's kinder to the environment from the start. While organic cotton relies on strict rules to cut down on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, linen grows in a way that naturally aligns with these eco-friendly principles.

Two Essential Certificates for Linen:

• OEKO-TEX: Trustworthy Textiles

Think of the OEKO-TEX certification as a safety label. When you see it on a linen product, you know that it's been thoroughly checked to be free from harmful stuff. This includes things like pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals. Linen with this label gives you peace of mind – it's safe for your skin and health.

"If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component of this article, i.e. every thread, button and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances and that the article therefore is harmless for human health. The test is conducted by our independent OEKO-TEX® partner institutes on the basis of our extensive OEKO-TEX® criteria catalog. In the test they take into account numerous regulated and non-regulated substances, which may be harmful to human health. In many cases the limit values for the STANDARD 100 go beyond national and international requirements. The criteria catalog is updated at least once a year and expanded with new scientific knowledge or statutory requirements. It is not easy for manufacturers and customers to keep an overview of the legal situation concerning harmful substances every day. Our experts from the OEKO-TEX® institutes do this for you."

• European Flax™: Sustainable Linen

The European Flax™ certificate is all about tracing and ensuring the sustainability of linen products made from flax fiber grown in Europe. It guarantees that the flax used was cultivated with eco-friendly practices, like using less water and fewer chemicals, and that workers are treated fairly. This certificate means you're choosing quality and sustainability when you pick linen with this label.

"European Flax™ is the guarantee of traceability for premium flax fiber grown in Western Europe for all its outlets - fashion, home, technical products, others. A vegetable fiber from an agriculture that respects the environment, without irrigation* or GMOs. 
*Except in exceptional circumstances.

European Flax™ is an internationally registered trademark of the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp and its subsidiary CELC DEVELOPPEMENT.

European Flax™ is the answer to consumer expectations and CSR requirements.

Origin of the fibre and Traceability of materials throughout the value chain:

• Consumer demands: an offer from environmentally friendly production, clear traceability.
• European Flax™ fibre is grown and scutched in Western Europe: France, Belgium, Netherlands, representing ¾ of the world's flax fibre production.

A production of the fibre that is respectful of the environment:

• No irrigation*
• No GMO seeds
• A local rotational crop: excellent head of rotation
• Low use of fertilisers and pesticides; no defoliants
• Natural dew retting in the field
• 100% mechanical fibre production (scutching)
• Zero Waste fibre - all parts of the plant are used and valorised (fibre, shives, seed...)
• The Life cycle assessment (LCA) of European Flax™ scutched flax fibre is available and under development for the following steps of the value chain.

*Except in exceptional circumstances

Social and Ethical Responsibility:

• A fibre produced in compliance with the rules of the International Labour Office
• A 100% vegetable and vegan fibre

A fibre with proven performance:
Comfort, thermoregulation, moisture transfer, breathability

European Flax™ is the quality visa for premium European fibre flax for all markets.

European Flax™ preserves, promotes and supports a European agricultural and industrial exception, its territorial origin and non-relocatable know-how. It is an ambitious global brand which is intended to be identified by the end consumer.

The European Flax™ certification guarantees a traceability that is verified by an independent third party organisation (certification body) for products made of pure linen or containing a minimum of 50% linen."

Our Linen

But here's the exciting part: the linen fabrics I use come with both the OEKO-TEX and European Flax™ certifications. That means our linen fabrics are safe, eco-friendly, and supporting sustainable practices. By choosing our linen, you're not only enjoying the many benefits of this lovely fabric but also doing your bit for a greener planet. It's a win-win for you and the planet. It's a #linenlove.

Thanks for reading! Lucie.