Our fire-retardant eco fabrics are the result of a long series of informed choices, from pattern and colour scheme selection to the characteristic quality of our final collections.
From a sustainability standpoint, self-policing is a big part of this too. Let’s explore how we achieve both.
We believe in the 'buy once, buy better,' philosophy, and even now we're taking steps to ensure our products are made from the best possible materials and that they last as long as possible.
We’re also limiting our selection to a few key fabric ranges, and concentrating on what we do best: providing quality eco fabrics that meet key fire-retardant standards worldwide.
We want you to feel good about buying or specifying your upholstery and drapery materials from us, and we're committed to making sure you have the information you need to make the best choices about your textiles.
As the challenges of climate change grow even more urgent, our focus on sustainable textiles manufacturing is only going to get stronger. We’re committed to making small changes and improvements in our manufacturing processes, but how can we demonstrate this?
There are different ways: our use of the Global Recycled Standard, and the ISO 140001 standard on environmental management for example. All of our efforts are anchored in The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, which we'll get to in a minute.
The GRS is a standard of verification for companies to determine the recycled content of their products. It also applies to many different parts our industry, including spinning and weaving; knitting; dyeing and printing; assembly such as sewing and even packaging.
For a product to be able to claim the Global Recycled Standard certificate, its producer must ensure that all parties involved in the production, even including suppliers, are certified by an independent certification body.
It’s a far-reaching regulation that has a knock-on effect throughout the textiles industry.
The textile industry has, historically, been one of the worst offenders when it comes to pollution caused using chemicals.
Did you know: two easily verifiable standards that FR-One fabrics operate under combats the fabrics’ chemical impact on the environment.
The safety of our customers is our top priority. That's why all our performance fabrics are free of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS/PFCs): otherwise known as ‘forever chemicals’. By choosing FR-One fabrics, specifiers can rest assured knowing that our fabrics are free from risks associated with chemicals like these.
The fact that all FR-One products are free of these hazardous chemicals is tightly linked to our Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification.
All our FR-One collections have received the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification. This is a well-respected testing program that ensures potentially harmful substances in textiles are either banned or kept to a minimum through thorough lab testing.
The strict guidelines for what can remain in textile materials aren't just good for the planet: they're obviously great for everyone who works with or uses these fabrics too. In many cases, the STANDARD 100 actually sets the bar higher than national and international regulations. Instead of just following rules, OEKO-TEX® is out there setting them, taking consumer protection to the next level.
Simply put, when you choose FR-One contract fabrics with this certification, you're getting quality, safety, environmental responsibility, and compliance with international standards all rolled into one. That's a big win for specifiers, designers, and your commercial clients in the contract market.
We're always looking for ways to make our fabrics more sustainable, along with our overall business practices.
That's why we don't just keep an eye on ourselves: we're watching our suppliers too. We track how well our mills stick to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard, giving them the know-how and resources to build practical systems for handling their environmental responsibilities.
What's ISO 14001? It's basically an international gold standard for environmental practices. It works for any organization, no matter how big or what industry they're in, and it shows that best practices are happening across all operations.
When our suppliers have ISO 14001 certification, you and your clients get some real perks, such as a smaller environmental footprint overall and lower risk of pollution incidents (nobody wants those!). It also means that your systems that keep getting better over time.
Bottom line: when you specify FR-One fabrics, you're not just getting great performance: you're supporting better environmental practices throughout the supply chain.
When you choose FR-One fabrics for your contract projects, you're making a decision that goes beyond just aesthetics and performance. You're partnering with a company that takes environmental responsibility seriously at every level.