Key Takeaways
- The Jungle of Labels: Labels are everywhere, and they do not all mean the same thing. A certification is a reliable way to check what a claim covers.
- The Standards: For us, the most critical standards are European Flax® (Traceability) and OEKO-TEX® (Safety).
- Beyond the Label: A certificate is one part of the picture; knowing where and by whom a piece was made is the other.
1. What We Look For
Reading a label well is not just about spotting "Organic Cotton." It takes a holistic look at design, production, and consumption.
At HACOY, we look at three things:
- The Material: Knowing where a fiber comes from. Our linen comes from flax grown in France, Belgium and the Netherlands and is European Flax certified.
- The Making: Knowing who cuts and sews each piece. Our swimwear, sportswear, silk essentials and cupro pyjamas are cut and sewn near Ferrara, Italy, by a family owned atelier. Our linen Workwear is cut and sewn in Vilnius, Lithuania.
- Longevity: Designing pieces that are made to be kept, and taking care of the repair for everyone who owns one.
2. Decoding the Certifications
When you buy a Linen Shirt or Cupro Pajama, you might see various logos. Here is what they actually mean.
European Flax® (The Gold Standard for Linen)
This is the guarantee of traceability for premium linen fiber grown in Western Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands).
- What it means: Zero irrigation, zero GMOs.
- Why we use it: It shows how our flax is grown, not only that it is "natural".
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 a list of regulated and harmful substances, including certain dyes and heavy metals.
- Why we use it: Your skin absorbs what you wear. That is why our linen fabric carries OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (2017OK0319).
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 the raw fibre to the finished textile, and every company along that chain must hold the certificate itself.
- What it means for HACOY: HACOY itself does not hold this certificate, so you will not find its name or logo on our pieces.
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 forests managed to FSC rules, not from endangered ancient woodlands.
3. 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 maker.
Our pieces are cut and sewn in Italy and Lithuania, and where a fibre comes from further away we say so: bamboo fibre comes from China and the denim is woven in Turkey, both made up in Italy.
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
Making things well is a journey, not a destination. Certifications are the map that helps us navigate it.
Next time you shop, look for the logo. But more importantly, look for the story behind it.
Does the brand know where its fabric comes from? If they can't tell you, the certification doesn't matter.