What lies behind FSC

Short answer: FSC is a label for wood and plant material that concerns how the forest or plantation is managed. On bamboo products it shows that the raw material comes from a controlled source. It says nothing about how the fibre itself is made, so it should be read together with other information.

What FSC is

FSC is a label for wood and other plant material, and for how the forest or plantation is managed. It is used on many kinds of products where the raw material comes from a forest or plantation. The purpose is to let buyers see whether the raw material comes from a controlled source without having to know the plantation themselves.

What the label covers

The label sets rules for how harvesting is done, how the soil is treated, and how the people who work there are treated. There are also rules for how the material must be traceable through each link, from raw material to finished product. Traceability is a central part, because otherwise the label could not follow the raw material along.

What it means for a textile

In a textile, the label shows that the bamboo behind the viscose comes from a plantation that follows the rules. Bamboo is the raw material, and viscose is the fibre made from it. The label speaks about the start of the chain, not the middle, and it helps to keep the two apart when you read a product description.

What it does not say

FSC says nothing about how the fibre itself is made, meaning how bamboo pulp becomes viscose. It also says nothing about how the fabric is knitted, dyed or sewn. If you want to know about those steps, look for other information or ask the producer. See FSC certified products for the range.

Where to find the label

You find the label on the hangtag or in the product description, less often on the label inside the garment. That can make it hard to spot when you hold the item in your hand. If you are unsure, read the product page closely and see whether it mentions FSC with a number or other documentation that can be checked.

Ask about the link in the chain

Certificates can cover different links in the chain, and a label on the final product does not automatically mean every link is covered. You can therefore ask the shop which link the certificate applies to and how it is documented. A clear answer is a good sign, and an unclear one is a reason not to read the label too broadly.

FSC and OEKO-TEX are not the same

The two labels look at opposite ends of the chain. FSC looks at the raw material and traceability, while OEKO-TEX looks at the finished product and the substances in it. A product can therefore carry both, and they complement each other. Neither can stand alone as a full assessment of how the clothes were made.

Bamboo in clothes and bedding

Bamboo fibre is used in clothing and in bedding, where the material lies close to the skin. For bedding that could be bamboo envelope sheets, and for clothing you can browse bamboo clothing for men. The FSC label is one piece of information to weigh together with fibre name, care label and fit.

How to use the label

Use FSC as information about the raw material and not as a general quality stamp. Read the fibre name, check what the product description says about the certificate, and ask the shop if something is unclear. That way you do not read more into the label than it actually says, and you get a more sober picture of what you buy.

Frequently asked questions

Does FSC also cover manufacturing

No. FSC covers the raw material and traceability through the links, not the making of the fibre itself. Ask the producer if you want to know about the steps the label does not cover.

Are FSC and OEKO-TEX the same

No. One looks at the raw material and how the forest or plantation is managed, the other at the finished product and the substances left in it. They complement each other.