European Flax™ vs OEKO-TEX linen: what’s the difference and why it matters
Linen is having a moment — and not all linen is made the same. If you’re shopping for high-quality, responsibly made linen, you may have seen labels like European Flax™ (now integrated into the “Masters of” identity) and OEKO-TEX®. Both labels mean something useful — but they cover very different parts of the supply chain. Here’s a short, practical guide to what each label guarantees and how to choose between them.
What European Flax™ actually is
European Flax™ began as a traceability and origin label focused specifically on European-grown flax fibre and the linen made from it. It certifies that the flax fibre comes from Europe and that traceability along the chain of custody is maintained from farm to finished fabric — meaning the certified material is tracked through each owner in the supply chain. In 2024–2025 the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp harmonized these marks under a “Masters of” family (e.g., Masters of FLAX FIBRE™ and Masters of LINEN™) to strengthen standards and clarify traceability claims.
What that practically means for consumers: if a product carries the European Flax/Masters of Linen claim, you get a verified statement about where the fibre came from (Europe), plus assurances that the actors handling that fibre meet audit and traceability requirements — from farms and spinners to fabric makers. Alliance Flax Linen Hemp
What OEKO-TEX® is (and what it isn’t)
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is a safety-focused test and label: it certifies that a textile product (and every component) has been tested and does not contain a long list of harmful substances above defined limits. In short — OEKO-TEX tells you the fabric has been tested for chemical safety and is unlikely to release harmful residues in normal use. It does not by itself guarantee geographic origin, specific farming practices, or full chain-of-custody traceability.
Key differences at a glance
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Scope & Focus
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European Flax / Masters of Linen: origin, fibre quality, and chain-of-custody traceability for European-grown flax. It’s about where the fibre came from and how it was handled along the supply chain.
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OEKO-TEX Standard 100: chemical safety and low-risk for harmful substances in the finished product (and every component). It’s about what’s in the textile, chemically speaking.
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What they guarantee
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European Flax / Masters of Linen: provenance (European flax), audited supply-chain actors, and farming/environmental advantages tied to European flax practices.
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OEKO-TEX: limits on specific hazardous chemicals across fibers, dyes, finishes, threads — useful for health-conscious consumers.
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Traceability vs testing
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European Flax emphasizes chain-of-custody traceability; OEKO-TEX emphasizes laboratory testing of chemical content. These are complementary, not mutually exclusive — a product can carry both claims (and some do).
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Why provenance (European Flax) matters right now
Europe is still home to a large share of the long-fibre flax used for premium linen, and the region’s agricultural practices (no irrigation for flax, strict regulations, non-GM seed usage in many areas) are part of its sustainability story. But the linen supply chain faces pressures — climate variability and processing bottlenecks — so provenance labels that track fibre origin and processing steps help consumers and brands make more informed, responsible choices. Vogue Business
How to read labels when you shop
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If you want chemical safety: look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (or OEKO-TEX Made in Green for additional production-factory audits). That protects you from harmful residues.
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If you care about origin and fibre farming practices: look for Masters of LINEN / European Flax (Masters of FLAX FIBRE) — that indicates European-grown flax and chain-of-custody checks.
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Best-case scenario: products that carry both claims — OEKO-TEX for chemical safety and Masters of Linen/European Flax for traceable, European fibre — give you both health and provenance assurances.
A note about verification and audits
Independent certification bodies and third-party auditors (including organizations that provide services around the European Flax claim) help companies demonstrate traceability and compliance. If you need extra assurance, we are happy to provide the certificate numbers showing the audited supply-chain partners. Bureau Veritas
Bottom line
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European Flax / Masters of Linen = where the fibre came from + traceability + farming/quality claims.
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OEKO-TEX = chemical-safety testing for the finished product and components.
Wrap yourself in linen that cares for you — and the planet. At Sömn Home, we choose only European Flax™-certified linen for its pure European-grown origins and fully traceable journey from field to fabric, paired with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 safety so you can rest easy knowing it’s free from harmful substances. It’s comfort you can feel, quality you can see, and ethics you can trust — because your home should be a place where wellness lives in every detail.