#Label-Reading Tips for Product Safety - Tip #1 Levels of #Organic Certifications

In Label-Reading Tips for Product Safety - The Golden Rule & Tip #1, the first tip was a recognition that

claims are claims. When you allow this and the golden rule of label-reading to formulate your perception, you can safe-guard yourself against deceptive claims.

The only guarantee of a manufacturer's claims is proof. That proof can be found in an independent third-party certification.

Having said that, it's important to consider two things....

(1) Levels of organic certification

(2) Not all certifying agencies are created equal

Products can be certified organic to cosmetic standards, or food grade standards. The food grade standard is the highest level of organic certification a product can receive. It is the most strict and stringent organic standard available.

Organic cosmetic certification allows for some synthetic ingredients, usually green chemistry ingredients (non-toxic synthetics), however, it's important to know that some certifying organizations do allow chemical (toxic) synthetics ingredients, which brings us to the second consideration.

National Organic Program authorizes a list of agencies that certifies (oversees) businesses, products, producers (farms) etc. You'll find them listed on the label of a certified organic product that sports the USDA Organic logo that may look like this; certified by QAI (Quality Assurance International).

Although the NOP "authorizes" certain agencies to bestow organic certification to qualifying manufacturers, some agencies are more lenient than others in allowing synthetic chemicals in cosmetic standards.

The Organic Consumer's Association has a comparison chart of some of the agencies. The USDA NOP & ACO (Australia) provide the strictest standard, prohibiting toxic synthetics in both cosmetic and food standards.

However, three of the most permissive agencies - allowing for chemical preservatives in cosmetics, such as parabens, hydrogenated oils, phenoxyethanol to name a few, are:

EcoCert (Europe/France), NaTrue (Germany/Europe) & Oasis (US/International).

The Organic Consumer's Association grants EcoCert a 0 out of 5 stars for being the most "permissive and misleading standard out there". A word to the wise, when looking to purchase certified organic cosmetics, avoid products certified by EcoCert or at least look over the ingredient list very closely.

Cosmetics that are certified organic to food grade standards are rare, but available through my shop: www.miessence.com/theoliveparent Miessence's food grade cosmetics are one of the many reasons I became a representative!

Miessence's food grade products are certified by Australian Certified Organic, a NOP authorized agency. Most of Miessence products are food grade. Here are some of them....

• Skin Essentials - All four skin types
• Facial Serums
• Hand Foaming Soap
• Hand Cream
• Body Cream
• Mouthwash
• Hair Rinse
• Protect Hair Repair and more!

Miessence products that are certified to cosmetic standards contain no toxic synthetics. 

If you have a favorite product that you use, but suspect that it may not be safe, contact me for a free product review and comparison with Miessence.

Miessence Promotions:

Become a Miessence Representative for just $11 dollars! Join as a Rep with a Fast Start Pack and get a free Vitality Challenge Kit! Only valid in February.

The next in the Label-reading tips series....Organic Certifications and GMOs! Stay tuned.