The term "organic" is applied to linen clothing in ways that vary considerably in what they actually mean and how they are verified. Understanding the distinction between organic linen, natural linen, and certified Belgian linen helps in buying a garment whose sustainability credentials are substantiated rather than asserted.

Organic cotton certification — the GOTS standard, for example — is a well-established and widely recognised system for verifying that a garment has been produced according to specific organic farming and processing standards. An organic cotton shirt with GOTS certification has been through a verifiable process.

Organic linen certification is less standardised than organic cotton. Various bodies certify organic linen production, but the systems are less universally recognised and the standards vary. When a linen shirt is described as organic, the relevant questions are: certified by whom, to what standard, and is the certification independently verified.

Belgian linen certification is a different type of certification — it certifies the geographic origin and the quality standard of the flax, rather than the specific farming method. Belgian linen is produced in a region where flax cultivation has specific traditional practices, but the certification does not in itself constitute an organic certification in the formal sense.

What PP offers: certified Belgian linen — the fibre quality and origin are verified and documented. The commitment to natural materials throughout — no synthetic components in the fabric, buttons, or finishing. The full biodegradability of the finished garment. These are verified natural commitments, clearly stated and documentable, rather than an organic certification claim that may or may not be independently substantiated.

Is Linen Sustainable  ·  Biodegradable Fashion by Design  ·  Men's Linen Collection