We use the following symbols next to the products on the website to explain their credentials. Read on for a little bit more information about what each symbol means.

Unlike food, there is no legal protection of the word organic in relation to non food products such as cosmetics, textiles and cleaning products. This means that it is perfectly legal for a company to market products as organic when they contain very little in the way of organic ingredients. One of the ways you can be sure that the products you buy are genuinely organic is by looking for products that have been independently certified as organic. There are now a wide number of different organic certification bodies and confusing array of different symbols. Because these organic certification standards have developed at different times and in different countries, the exact detail of what is and isn’t allowed into products under the standard tends to vary. However, in general they all seek to ensure that the agricultural ingredients in products are produced organically and place strict controls over the non organic functional ingredients that are permitted (such as foaming agents and preservatives). Organic textile standards cover the processing and manufacture of natural fibres and they assess production methods for their impact on human health, wildlife and their biodegradability.

Soil Association Certified Organic

The Soil Association is the most well known and widely respected organic certification in the UK. Soil Association organic standards are considered to be the highest in the world. So Organic was the 1st online multi brand retailer to hold Soil Association certification as a retailer under registration numbers DJ16819 and DK16819. Balm Balm, Bentley Organic, Essential Care, Green People, Liv, Natracare, Neals Yard Remedies, Organic Blue, Rocket Gardens, Skin Blossom, Spiezia and Yes products all make soil association certified organic products.

 

Ecocert Certified Organic

Ecocert is one of the most widely recognised organic symbols. They have both an “organic” and a “natural” section under their certification programme. Evolve Beauty, Madara Cosmetics and Green People Make Up are all certified under the Ecocert organic standard

 

USDA Certified Organic

USDA is an organic certification from North America which is widely recognised and used on products all over the world. Badger Balm products are USDA certified organic.

 

Natrue Certified

Natrue is a relatively new European certification standard which encompasses products in 3 categories: Organic Cosmetics, Natural Cosmetics with Organic Ingredients and Natural Cosmetics. Lavera and Weleda both make products under the Natrue certified organic category.

 

AIAB certified organic

An Italian organic certification. The organic cotton used to make natracare feminine wipes, and natracare baby wipes is certified by AIAB.

 

Australian Government Certified Organic

An Australian organic certification. The organic makeup by Nvey Eco is certified by Australian Government.

 

 

CUC Certified Organic

Control Union Certified, a Dutch certification for organic textiles.

 

 

Demeter Certified

The Demeter mark shows that a product is not only organic but biodynamic too. Biodynamic farmers use organic methods and additionally use specially produced composts as well as taking into account the lunar calendar when planting and harvesting as they believe that this produces plants with the strongest life force. Brands such as Weleda, Dr Hauschka and Primavera use biodynamic ingredients in their products.

 

Organic Food Chain (OFC certified organic)

An Australian organic certification. The organic makeup by Nvey Eco is certified by OFC.

 

 

Organic Food Federation (OFF certified organic)

Products bearing this symbol are certified by The Non Food Certification Company (NFCC) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Organic Food Federation (one of the oldest established organic certification bodies in the UK). Organic Baby Wipes and many Green People products are OFF certified organic.

 

Organic Ingredients

This product is made with organic ingredients but does not carry any independent certification. There is no legal requirement to have non food products independently certified as organic.

 

BDIH

This product is certified by the respected German Association BDIH as a “certified natural cosmetic”. Strict criteria must be adhered to in the production of a certified natural cosmetic including no animal testing, plant based ingredients should be organic or wild where possible, no synthetic fragrance or petroleum based oils. Weleda, Dr Hauschka and Lavera all make products under the BDIH standard for natural cosmetics.

Vegan

This product is suitable for vegans. It does not contain ingredients of animal origin such as milk, beeswax, propolis, honey, carmine.

 

Eco Garantie

Ecogarantie is a certification mark for environmentally friendly products. Originally developed in Belgium it is now a respected standard in Europe when it comes to assessing the ecological impact of cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products. Alma Win cleaning products are certified by Eco Garantie

 

Nordic Swan Eco Label

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is a voluntary, positive ecolabelling of products and services to give consumers a clear and concise environmental product information, as well as promoting the development of products that are environmentally-sound. Bambo Nature Nappies bear the Nordic Swan label.

 

Fair-trade

This product is made from ingredients that have been purchased in accordance with Fair trade principles.

 

 

Handmade

This product has been made by hand.

 

 

Recycled

This product is made from recycled materials.