Cosmetics companies win battle over organics certification
maintains a certification program for organic personal care
products. The authority decided to reverse its decision to drop the
certification system following a concerted campaign by industry
members and lobby groups.
The USDA issued a memorandum yesterday, which specified: "There are agricultural products, including personal care products, that, by virtue oftheir organic agricultural product content, may meet the NOP standards and be labeled as'100 percent organic,' 'organic,' or 'made with organic' pursuant to the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations.Businesses that manufacture and distribute such products may be certified under the NOP,and such products may be labeled as '100 percent organic,' 'organic,' or 'made withorganic' so long as they meet NOP requirements."
The decision marks the end of a months long battle that has seen leading organic personal care industry players such as Dr Bronner's and Sensibility Soaps combining resources with lobby groups including the Organic Consumer Association and the American Herbal Products Association to pressurize the USDA to change its mind.
The decision means that an official complaint lodged against the USDA over its decision to stop organic certification of personal care products will now be dropped in the course of the next month. Likewise, a joint federal lawsuit that was filed by the OCA and Dr Bronner's to fight the USDA decision, is now destined for an amicable agreement.
Dr Bronner's has spent an estimated $5 million on complying to the national certification program for its range of lip balms, body care and soaps, so a lot was at stake for the company, something that was reflected by its concerted efforts to reverse the decision.
"Thanks to the USDA's wise decision, brands such as Dr. Bronner's, that support organic agriculture and farmers with all the integrity the National Organic Program intends, can continue to display the USDA organic seal," said David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner's.
Lynn Betz, president of Sensibility Soaps commended NOP administrator Barbara Robinsion and the USDA for their 'change of heart' with regards their decision on the organic certification of personal care products.
The decision affects all consumer products manufactured using agricultural products ingredients, which means that besides personal care products, organic certification of supplements and other products such as pet foods will be ensured.
The amendment to the program was due to come into affect in October of this year, but the decision reversal will mean will ensure NOP for all personal care products for the foreseeable future.
