What does USDA NOP certification mean?
These stringent standards put in place a system to certify that specific practices are used to produce and process organic agricultural ingredients used for food and non-food purposes.
National organic standards set out the methods, practices and substances used in producing and handling crops, livestock and processed agricultural products. The standards include a national list of approved synthetic and prohibited non-synthetic substances for organic production. See http://www.ota.com/listbackground05.html for more details.
Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organically produced products also must be produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering and other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation. Cloning animals or using their products would be considered inconsistent with organic practices. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food.
National organic standards require that organic growers and handlers be certified by third-party state or private agencies or other organizations that are accredited by USDA. Although farmers and handlers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic agricultural products and retailers that do not process these products are exempt from certification, they must meet all certified organic grower and handler requirements to maintain the organic integrity of the organic products they sell. Anyone who knowingly sells or mislabels as organic a product that was not produced and handled in accordance with the regulations can be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.
O-Wool products are made with wool grown and certified to the USDA’s National Organic Program standards. For more detailed information regarding the USDA’s NOP standards visit www.ams.usda.gov/nop/
|
|
What is the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100?
The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is a globally uniform testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production.
The tests for harmful substances comprise substances which are prohibited or regulated by law, chemicals which are known to be harmful to health, and parameters which are included as a precautionary measure to safeguard health.
The internationally binding test catalogue according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is based on scientifically proven parameters and is revised annually in line with the latest legislation and research.
It includes:
- substances which are prohibited by law, such as carcinogenic dyestuffs
- substances which are regulated by law, such as formaldehyde, softeners, heavy metals or pentachlorophenol
- substances which according to current knowledge are harmful to health, but which are not yet regulated or prohibited by law, such as pesticides, allergy-inducing dyestuffs or tin-organic compounds
- parameters such as colourfastness and a skin-friendly pH-value, which are precautionary measures to safeguard consumers health
A tested textile product is allocated to one of the four Oeko-Tex® product classes based on its intended use. The more intensively a product comes into contact with the skin, the stricter the human ecological requirements it must fulfil.
Manufacturers are entitled to mark successfully tested products or article groups with the Oeko-Tex® label and to advertise in other forms as long as it has been proven within the extensive laboratory tests that all components, including accessories, comply with the specified test criteria without exception. A certificate which is issued applies for one year and can be renewed as often as required.
O-Wool Washable wool is made with USDA NOP certified organic wool and processed to Oeko-Tex 100 standard through the shrink treatment process. For more detailed information about the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 visit www.oeko-tex.com |
