QUESTIONS:
⦁ If the final product contains one or more organic ingredients in any concentration, can it be called organic?
⦁ What is an Organic Ingredient?
⦁ What is the organic percentage of any ingredient?
⦁ Is the Organic Cosmetics regulated by the government?
⦁ Are there any private regulations available to certify organic cosmetic products?
⦁ What are the best private regulations to adopt?
⦁ What ingredients are allowed and are not allowed, and in what concentration?
⦁ How can we formulate an organic product?
ORGANIC COSMETIC STANDARDS WORLDWIDE
⦁ There are many labels currently on the market that are claiming they are organic, which make it difficult for consumers to determine what a particular label means, and which ones are better.
⦁ It has been estimated that over 40 private standards worldwide exists. Approximately 25 of these standards are used by the majority and two out of these 25 are the most popular. Two of the most used standards within the EU are generally freely available and accessible to the public.
USDA/NOP Organic
Cosmetics, Body Care Products and Personal Care Products
FDA and Health Canada do not define or regulate the term “organic” as it applies to Cosmetics, body care, or personal care products.
USDA regulates the term “organic” as it applies to agricultural products through its National Organic Program (NOP) regulation, 7 CFR Part 205.
⦁ If a cosmetic, body care product, or personal care product contains or is made up of agricultural ingredients, and can meet the USDA/NOP organic production, handling, processing and labeling standards, it may be eligible to be certified under the NOP regulations.
The operations which produce the organic agricultural ingredients, the handlers of these agricultural ingredients, and the manufacturer of the final product must all be certified by a USDA-accredited organic certifying agent.
Once certified, cosmetics, personal care products, and body care products are eligible for the same 4 organic labeling categories as all other agricultural products, based on their organic content and other factors:
⦁ 100 percent organic”–Product must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients.
⦁ Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address.
⦁ “Organic”–Product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt).
⦁ Remaining product ingredients must consist of non-agricultural substances approved on the National List or non-organically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form, also on the National List. Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address.
⦁ Made with organic ingredients”
⦁ Products contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and product label can list up to three of the organic ingredients or “food” groups on the principal display panel. For example, body lotion made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and only organic herbs may be labeled either “body lotion made with organic lavender, rosemary, and chamomile,” or “body lotion made with organic herbs.
⦁ Products may not display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address.
⦁ Less than 70 percent organic ingredients
⦁ Products cannot use the term “organic” anywhere on the principal display panel. However, they may identify the specific ingredients that are USDA-certified as being organically produced on the ingredients statement on the information panel. Products may not display the USDA Organic Seal and may not display a certifying agent’s name and address. (Water and salt are also excluded here.)
Any cosmetic, body care product, or personal care product that does not meet the production, handling, processing ,labeling, and certification standards described above, may not state, imply, or convey in any way that the product is USDA-certified organic or meets the USDA organic standards.
Examples of Products that are USDA certified:
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