organic certification

In order for any product to be certified organic, it must undergo the rigour of the appropriate regulated organic standards. For instance in Europe, when considering food regulation, the term "organic" is defined by law. So if a product is labelled as organic and it has not been certified organic to the regulated standards, then the person or company responsible for the fraud can go to prison as it is against the law to label a food organic if it is not certified. In this way, consumers are being protected from cheats and frauds, and the organic standards are upheld.

Non-food products are not regulated by governments, but there are private certification bodies that have established organic standards to which products other than foods can be certified organic to. These are the same private certification bodies also certifying foods to organic standards so they are experienced and ethical organisations. Often, different certification bodies collaborate to develop international standards, such as is the case for organic fibres and textiles as well as cosmetics.

It is important that if a non-food product claims to be certified organic, such as a hair shampoo or even tampons, that it has been certified by an organisation using approved standards. By way of an example, the Texas Department of agriculture cannot certify the processing of organic cotton even though it can certify the growing of organic cotton, simply because it does not have cotton processing standards or manufacturing standards with which to certify finished products.

are all organic standards the same?

Any organic product sold in Europe must by law display a certification symbol or number. When you see an organic symbol, you can be sure that the product complies with minimum government standards. These standards are set by the UK government and meet European and international standards. Likewise in the USA, the National Organic Program (NOP) has the same function. Other governments around the world also have defined organic standards for food that allow nations to trade organic food around the world.

Not all organic standards are the same. In Europe, each certification body has its own symbol and EU code number and as long as the EU basic standards have been met, then certifying bodies can develop their own higher standards.
The Soil Association’s standards are among the highest in the world – especially in terms of animal welfare, and their symbol tells you that produce has met, and in some important areas exceeded, the minimum government requirements. Food is the only category so far that is regulated by law but the Soil Association also certifies to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Organic standards ban the use of GM technology.

how are cotton products certified?

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) covers the production, processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, exportation, importation and distribution of all natural fibres. The final products may include, but are not limited to fibre products, yarns, fabrics and clothes.

This standard ensures that the organic status is maintained from the harvesting of the raw materials, (cotton for example) through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling, in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer. Products that are produced and manufactured in full compliance with this international organic standard should be labelled as conforming to the Global Organic Textile Standard.

In order to be able to achieve this mark, Natracare is inspected by the Soil Association every year, and to this end, we have been able to maintain our organic certification since 1996.