What FSC means on a garment
Short answer: FSC is a label for forest management. On a piece of bamboo clothing, it means the raw material comes from a source certified under the FSC scheme. The label is about the raw material, not how the finished fabric feels or is treated.
The label is about the raw material
FSC says something about how the raw material is grown and harvested, and about the requirements for managing the areas where it grows. It says nothing about chemistry in the finished fabric. That is worth keeping in mind when you compare labels on clothing.
Two labels, two purposes
FSC covers the raw material, while OEKO-TEX covers the finished product. The two do not exclude each other, and a product can carry both. If you want to know about both the origin of the raw material and chemistry in the fabric, look for two different labels. See OEKO-TEX certified products.
Traceability
Part of the scheme is about following the raw material through the supply chain, from forest to finished product. Each step must be able to show that certified material is kept separate or correctly accounted for. That is what makes it possible to use the label on a garment.
See the labelled products
It can be hard to spot the label when looking at single products. The FSC labelled products are therefore gathered in one place, so you can see the range at once and compare styles, colours and sizes. See FSC certified products.
What it does not promise
The label is no guarantee of how clothing feels, fits or lasts in the wash. Those are two different things. An FSC labelled T-shirt should still be washed gently and dried without a tumble dryer to keep its shape. Quality in use depends on fabric, sewing and care.
Bamboo and FSC
Bamboo is a grass and not a tree, but it is grown in areas where forest and land management matter. That is why bamboo as a raw material can be certified under the scheme. Read more about what the certification covers in what does FSC mean.
For comparison
FSC says nothing about how the raw material is processed into fibre. Bamboo can become both viscose and lyocell, and the two processes differ. To learn how the fibre types compare, read bamboo lyocell versus bamboo rayon.
Where you see it in practice
The label usually appears in the product description and on a label inside the garment. If you are unsure, the collection is the quickest route, because it shows which styles are labelled. T-shirts are a good place to start. See bamboo T-shirts for men.
Underwear with the label
Underwear is worn most often and washed the most, so for many people it is the first place to look for a raw material label. Look for FSC in the product description and check whether OEKO-TEX is listed too. See bamboo underwear for men.
What to look at instead
If you want to know how clothing feels and lasts, look at fabric, fit and care instructions. Read the fibre content on the label, look for elastane in waistbands and follow the care advice. The raw material label adds to this, it does not replace it.
Frequently asked questions
Does FSC mean the clothing is free of chemicals?
No. FSC is about the forest management behind the raw material. If you want to know about chemistry in the finished product, look for a label such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 instead.
Can bamboo be FSC certified?
Yes. Even though bamboo is a grass and not a tree, it can be certified as a raw material under the scheme when it is grown in areas that meet the requirements.
Where do I find the FSC label on a product?
It usually appears in the product description and on a label inside the garment. You can also see the labelled products together in the collection of FSC certified products.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
