Viscose, rayon and bamboo are three words for the same thing

Short answer: Rayon is the American name for viscose. When bamboo comes first, it tells you which raw material the cellulose came from.

The three words explained

Viscose is the European term for a regenerated cellulose fibre. Rayon is exactly the same and is used in the United States. Bamboo viscose is viscose made from cellulose from bamboo rather than from wood.

What the label actually has to say

In the EU the label must state the fibre type, meaning viscose. Many manufacturers add the raw material voluntarily, so it reads bamboo viscose. If it says only viscose, you do not know which plant it came from. See bamboo clothing for women.

Bamboo lyocell exists too

Some manufacturers process bamboo using the lyocell route rather than the viscose route. Then it says bamboo lyocell, which is a different process with a closed loop. See bamboo underwear for women.

What you can rely on

Certifications such as OEKO-TEX and FSC say something concrete about chemistry in the finished fabric and about forestry respectively. See OEKO-TEX certified items and FSC certified items.

Frequently asked questions

Is bamboo viscose a natural fibre

It is made from a natural raw material but produced chemically. It is therefore called a regenerated fibre.

Why does the label not always say bamboo

Because the legal requirement is the fibre type. The raw material is a voluntary detail.

Does rayon mean lower quality

No. It is simply another word for the same fibre type.