What Makes Organic, Natural...what are the rules, please?

[Guest guest]

Hello, my name is Fabienne and I have been reading this Natural

Perfumery group with great interest for several months now. I have been

a perfumer for quite a few years, on and off, and have been bitten by

the bug pretty hard recently.

I have a question and did try to search this forum for the answer but

remain baffled so if you could take a bit of pity on me and point me in

the right direction, I would be grateful. Here is the question:

What are the rules regarding presenting your work as " organic " ? What are

the rules regarding presenting your work as " natural " ? Are there

regulations written down for these things and where can I go to find

them? Or, is this an unregulated area?

Also, labeling. I did find the part in the archives about labeling and

read it, however I do have a question: I heard that if you use

organic/natural ingredients you have to list exactly what they are (and

thereby tell the world). Is that true, or is there a way of listing your

ingredients and letting the consumer know what they are getting but

keeping your trade secrets if you are a natural producer?

I live in the United States and am interested in producing a small line

of natural (or organic) products locally, but I need to know about any

forms I must fill out, guidelines I must follow, or inspections I must

have to do business.

Thank you in advance for your help on this topic.

--Fabienne

[Guest guest]

>

> Hello, my name is Fabienne

Hi Fabienne, welcome out of lurk mode

<snipped>

> I have been

> a perfumer for quite a few years, on and off, and have been bitten by

> the bug pretty hard recently.

It happens, just be glad you don't also make soap (another very

addicting craft *lol*)

>

> I have a question <snipped>

> What are the rules regarding presenting your work as " organic " ?

" They " were trying to set enforced rules and standards for body care

products claiming to be " organic " ,

or to be able to use the USDA Certified Organic Label, and it was

gathering some steam,

but seems to have fizzled out for the moment.

> What are the rules regarding presenting your work as " natural " ?

Not a darn thing! It is a self imposed standard with no standard

industry definition.

Are there

> regulations written down for these things and where can I go to find

> them? Or, is this an unregulated area?

I'd say your best bet is to check out these links to get more info about

the whole organic body care issue:

(includes links from organizations and companies who were pushing this

issue)

http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/Kaye101503.cfm

http://www.mindfully.org/Food/2005/Dr-Bronners-Organic-Seal2jun05.htm

http://www.terressentials.com/tricks.html

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?1395

>

> Also, labeling. I did find the part in the archives about labeling and

> read it, however I do have a question: I heard that if you use

> organic/natural ingredients you have to list exactly what they are

(and

> thereby tell the world). Is that true, or is there a way of listing

your

> ingredients and letting the consumer know what they are getting but

> keeping your trade secrets if you are a natural producer?

You MUST list all of your ingredients (in INCI format) that make up more

than 1% of the total product, in the order of their % in the formula

(greatest to least), on any product for the body unless it is bar soap

or get permission to have a " trade secret " status ...

>

> I live in the United States and am interested in producing a small

line

> of natural (or organic) products locally, but I need to know about any

> forms I must fill out, guidelines I must follow, or inspections I must

> have to do business.

Really you need to read this:

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-toc.html

>

> Thank you in advance for your help on this topic.

>

> --Fabienne

*Smile*

Chris

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